Choosing a Topic in World Studies
Topics in World Studies must be interdisciplinary. They must be of "global significance," but also have a localized focus or case study, and they must be approachable through two distinct subject areas.
Students will need to register their papers in one of the six "areas of study" or themes. (These are not subject areas.) Students' issues of global significance should be related somehow to one of these areas. Whatever issue students choose, they will then have to relate that topic to two different subject areas. Students will use the knowledge and methods from these two different areas to break down the complexity of the issue, and analyze it in the specific context of a location of their choosing.
Examples:
| Global Theme: Conflict, Peace, and Security | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| The ethics of intervention in national or regional conflicts by the international community | Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan | Global politics, philosophy, social and cultural anthropology |
| Global Theme: Culture, Language, and Identity | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| The impact of “street art” in protests against discrimination and persecution | Apartheid South Africa | Visual arts, global politics, social and cultural anthropology, history |
| Global Theme: Environmental and/or Economic Sustainability | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| Governmental support for technology in dealing with agricultural issues | Kenya: the use of technology in coping with draught | Geography, economics, global politics, environmental science |
| Global Theme: Equality and Inequality | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| Child labour and industry | Business in West Africa | Global politics, economics, business management |
| Global Theme: Health and Development | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| Rise of obesity in affluent countries | Specific focus on a group in a particular country or comparison between two countries or regions within a country | Biology, psychology, global politics, economics |
| Global Theme: Science, Technology, and Society | ||
| Global Issue | Local Manifestation | Subject Areas |
| Nuclear power and public perception | Nuclear power station in Munro, Michigan | Physics, psychology, politics |
Approaches to Research
Because World Studies essays are interdisciplinary in nature, students will most likely draw on methods from the different subject areas they are using. Depending on the topic and the location of the focus, students may need to look for primary data in secondary sources. Like in other subjects, this is acceptable as long as students apply the data in an original way.
Students can refer to the research and source guidance in other subjects that may be helpful in their process.
| Visual Arts | Business Management | ||
| Biology | Sport, Health, and Exercise Science |
Examples:
| Topic | Health and development: multiple sclerosis and latitude | Topic | Health and development: economic growth and obesity |
| Research Question | To what extent do geographical factors play a role in the distribution of multiple sclerosis cases in Canada and Iran? | Research Question | How has globalization contributed to dietary changes and obesity in developed and developing countries? |
| Approach | The essay challenges the suggested theory that MS is associated with high latitudes by looking at recent studies of Iran. Genetic factors and vitamin deficiency (biology), migration and environment (geography) are evaluated to enhance understanding | Approach | The essay considers metabolic systems and the role of the endocrine system (biology) and recent qualitative and quantitative changes in diet in Liberia, Brazil and the USA to measure energy imbalance and a nutrition transition resulting from globalization (geography/economics). |
Integrating Subject Areas
A successful World Studies essay must be interdisciplinary. This means that students must integrate two subject areas in the context of one paper topic. There are multiple ways of doing this.
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Complex Integration considers a big topic using expertise from multiple subject areas to provide a more comprehensive account. Research Question: Why is malaria so prevalent and unevenly distributed in Sub-Saharan Africa? Subject Areas Biology Use content knowledge to explain the effects of the virus on humans. Environmental Science Use content knowledge to understand uneven distribution of the disease in the region. |
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Contextual Integration places of a particular concept or issue from one discipline, into a larger historical, cultural or philosophical framework. Research Question To what extent do genetically modified crops present a solution to food crises in rural communities of Brazil and India? Subject Areas Biology Uses content knowledge to explain the debate around using GMOs. Anthropology Uses knowledge of cultural traditions, economic needs and beliefs to explain communities' resistance to and support for using GMOs. |
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Transdisciplinary Integration shows how one tool or method can be used in multiple subject areas Research Question: What factors must be considered when measuring growth in China, India, and Brazil using computer modeling? Mathematics Use skills of statistical analysis to build an algorithm to predict a country's growth. Multiple Subjects Use data from economics, health, and geography in building the algorithm |
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Artistic Integration interprets a non-artistic concept or issue through an aesthetic lens. Research Question: What is the significance of a monument commemorating the lives lost in the Rwandan Genocide? History Use historical knowledge to inform and contextualize the purpose and significance of a monument to the Rwandan Genocide. Visual Arts Use artistic elements to interpret the meaning behind a historical monument in Rwanda. |