Welcome to Global Perspectives...

Introduction to Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives (Syllabus code 0457)

 Aims

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives aims to develop students who:

• are independent, active and empowered to take their place in an ever-changing, information heavy, interconnected world

• have an analytical, evaluative grasp of key world issues, their causes, effects and

 possible solutions

• inquire into and reflect on issues and collaborate with others to find solutions

• direct much of their own learning with the teacher as facilitator

• consider important issues from personal, local and global perspectives and who understand some of the links between the personal, local and global

• critically assess the information available to them and develop lines of reasoning

• have a sense of their own, active place in the world

Why choose Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives?

Young people globally face unprecedented challenges in the 21st century – not least in how they will come to terms with accelerating changes in the world that will impact on their life chances and life choices.
The study of Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives provides opportunities for enquiry into, and reflection on,those changes. A prime emphasis is on developing the sorts of skills and dispositions of thinking that active citizens of the future will need.

This approach aims to help young people develop independent minds, at the same time as developing their sense of community, from local to global.

The rationale behind the syllabus accords with the international ethos that underpins all of the IGCSE syllabuses. It also reflects the thinking expressed by UNESCO in its seminal reports on education:
"Education must include activities and processes that encourage awareness of, and commitment to, the
solutions of global problems. This should be done in such ways that people learn solutions are possible
through cooperation at all levels – at the levels of individuals, organisations and nations."
UNESCO (cited by Walker, 2002)

Developing awareness of this sort is not a question of how to get everybody to think identically. It is a matter of opening minds to the great complexity of the world and of human thought, and opening hearts to the diversity of human experience and feeling.

Note:

The Portfolio will take approximately 80 to 100 hours to complete including work both in and out of the
classroom. Submission may take various forms but for a written response, it should be:
• 1000–1500 words for each of the two basic studies
• 1500–2500 words for each of the two extended studies.
Written work must be in continuous prose.

For each area of study, candidates could structure the Portfolio along the following lines:
• Identification of the area to be investigated, including reasons for the choice;
• From the information gathered, demonstrating an understanding of the different perspectives on the issues arising and the impacts at a personal, local and global level;
• Analysis and evaluation of information, highlighting and even ranking the key elements;
• Prediction of possible scenarios and an evaluation of the likelihood and effects of the outcomes;
• A bibliography identifying clearly all of the resources used.
The extended studies could proceed along these lines:
• Identification of possible courses of action;
• A personal response to the issues, clearly based on an understanding of the information collected.