Global perspectives component 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Global perspectives year 2

Focus on component 2

Cambridge description of paper 2

Candidates write an essay on a global issue of their own choice from topics studied during the course. 

First things first

Your first task is to finish component 2. In your PTA this is referred to as a HD. It is important for you to realise that this means that you are required to finish it in a sufficient way and in time. 

The coming classes we are going to spend on writing component 2. As a teacher I am not allowed to help you too much. I am allowed to help you decide on an appropriate essay question, essay structure and more. I'll happily do so! 

What to do: component 2

-You write an essay on a global issue of your own choice from topics (see next slide for themes).

-The essay must be framed as a single question which is clearly focused on a global issue . 

-Length:  1750 to 2000 words.

-You should focus your individual research on identifying and exploring the context and basis of the arguments from different global  perspectives. You should identify different perspectives, understand the arguments, reasoning or claims upon which these perspectives are based, offer a critical view of them and reach a personal, supported view.

So, first of all: your topic

Your topic must be

• a global topic
• a debatable (controversial) topic
• an accessible topic
• a relevant (does it really interest you?) topic

Today's assignment

1. Take three A3 sheets and fold them.
2. On the left side of each sheet you copy the graphic organiser from page 39 of your workbook.
3. On the right side of each sheet you copy the grids from page 89 of your workbook.
4. Fill in each of the sheets with a topic that holds your interest (which motivates you to learn more about). So, three topics in total.
5. research your topic and discuss your topics with a neigbour.
6. Write any question that pops up down on the corresponding sheet.

Formulating questions

Your question should provoke a debate.

Your question should be answered with 'yes' or 'no'.

Your question should be focussed (instead of being too wide)

Your question should address a global issue (instead of being too local)

Look at activity 4 p. 98

- rank the questions

- rewrite those which need improvement

Good advice

Start your question with one of the following verbs:

can / could

should

do/does

a form of 'to be'

Let's look at the case study on page 99

Today's assignment

1. Look at your three A3 sheets with potential topics.
2. Come up with three to five questions per topic. (do some extra research into your topic online to be able to pose focussed and appropriate questions)
3. Discuss your questions with your neighbour.
4. Decide which question is the best and discuss this with your teacher.
5. Prioritize your topics: which one is your favourite?
6. Create a new file in your laptop where you store all the information on your essay. Make a new document in which you copy the grid of page 91 of your workbook and record the sources that you have already found regarding your number 1 topic.
7. Explore your topic further online and record new sources in your grid.

Important

1. The essay must be written in continuous prose

2. Include a list of sources used

3. Be submitted in an electronic format

4. Quotations must be fully referenced !!! PARAPHRASE !!!

5. The essay must not exceed 2000 words -Work beyond
the 2000 word maximum will not be included in the assessment.-

6. An accurate word count must be clearly stated on each essay

7. The word count excludes the title, references and footnotes

Assessment by Cambridge

In the essay, candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

• identify, synthesise, analyse and evaluate relevant sources

• analyse at least two globally contrasting perspectives

• identify and evaluate the evidence that supports the perspectives

• explain how the research has affected their personal perspectives

• present convincing and well-supported judgements that answer the question posed

• suggest further relevant research

• communicate effectively and concisely, using technical terms where appropriate.

Need some revision?

The Critical Path

Deconstruction

- analysing arguments (convincing, strenghts, weaknesses, counterargument used, mode of address)

- analysing perspectives (p. 31)

- analysing sources

Identify

Check chapter 2 and 3

Analyse

Evaluate

When you start deconstruction you can ask the following questions:

- What is the global issue you are investigating?

- Are there different points of view relating to this global issue?

- What is supporting the reasoning behind each point of view?

- What evidence is being used?

- Where is this information coming from - which person or institution is 'speaking'?

This part is connected to analysis. You are closely examening sources by breaking it down into smalles pieces - Breaking down something complex into its essential features.

The second step of deconstruction (after analysis) is evaluation. Here you ask the following questions:

- Are the arguments supporting different points of view coherent and logical?

- Is the evidence strong or weak?

- Is the person making the argument qualified to do so?

Reconstruction

The reconstruction stage requires you to make links between evidence, arguments and points of view, and to synthesise these elements into overarching perspectives.

Synthesis is the combination of elements to form a larger coherent and connected whole.

Next stage

When moving from deconstruction to reconstruction, ask the following questions:

- What are the similarities and differences between arguments that are used to support a particular point of view?

- Are there connections between evidence from different contexts?

- Who are the people or institutions that are supporting this point of view?

- Do arguments and evidence corroborate or contradict each other?

Having made links between your research materials, you can evaluate evidence and sources for and against competing points of view. Questions:

- Does the body of evidence lead to a single conclusion?

- Does the global context of source material impact the arguments being made?

- Why do these people or institutions hold this view?

- Which point of view seems stronger and why?

For today

Look at the high scoring candidate example essay in your studyplanner. In the first 4 paragraphs the candidate establishes:

1. Reason for this choice of topic (the topic can have social, scientific and/or personal relevance)

2. Key terms and parameters (the scope of your essay) are clearly defined and described precisely.

3. Two globally contrasting perspectives are introduced.

4. Title/essay question establishes a question open to globally contrasting perspectives.

Start constructing your essay's introduction and go and find oppropriate and usable sources. Use pages 106-109 to take notes and select your research material for your essay.