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Extended Essay 专题论文: World Studies EE

Introduction

To get started, it's important to understand that the world studies extended essay (WSEE) invites students to conduct an in-depth, interdisciplinary investigation into an issue of contemporary global importance in a maximum of 4,000 words. 

Why write a WSEE?

Writing an interdisciplinary extended essay (EE) gives students an opportunity to undertake an in-depth and independent investigation into a topic of their choice that considers the relationship between subjects and allows for meaningful connections to be made in relation to their chosen area of research. 

The aims of the WSEE are to enable students to:

  • frame and understand complex contemporary world problems for in-depth study
  • gather and synthesize insights from two different disciplines to better understand the issue
  • develop global consciousness—a disposition to recognize and understand local and global relationships in dynamic interaction
  • view themselves as interpreters of and actors in an increasingly interconnected world.

In line with the IB’s mission, the world studies EE seeks to advance students’ emerging global consciousness. This comprises:

  • a sensitivity to local* phenomena as manifestations of broader developments on the planet
  • the capacity to think in flexible and informed ways in understanding issues of global significance
  • a developing perception of the student’s own identity (self) as a global actor and member of humanity, capable of making a positive contribution to the world.

*Local is defined in its widest sense to mean specific examples or case studies and does not necessarily imply that the focus must be geographically local for the student.

This WSEE guide is adapt from IBO World studies extended essay guidance.  

Topics

Examples of potential topics include:

Global health crisis Climate change Terrorism
Energy security Migration Global health problems
Disaster relief and rehabilitation Civil protest and unrest Global financial crisis
Disadvantaged groups Infringements on human rights Discrimination and persecution

The most critical stage in preparing for the EE is the formulation of a logical and coherent rationale for selecting a particular topic for the extended essay—it should be a topic that offers enough scope to provide material for a substantial essay, and it should allow for the development of ideas around the topic and research question that examine existing views and argue against them. 

Interdisciplinary approach

The perspective of just one subject may not be adequate to address complex issues like these. The WSEE therefore requires students to bring together aspects of different disciplines to illuminate their chosen topic.

Students should use two Diploma Programme subjects. It is strongly recommended that students are undertaking a course of study in at least one of the subjects chosen for their essay.

Students are not expected to address the topic in its full complexity, but should aim to generate understandings that are new to them.

Focus

Students are encouraged to focus on just one or two contexts in some depth, for example:

  • The student examines two geographical case studies to explore whether religious beliefs affect attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Oslo and Mombasa.
  • The student examines one or two events to evaluate relief efforts after natural disasters, and suggests ways to make these more responsive.
  • The student examines one or two interventions to investigate what determines the success or failure of sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

Students can refer to other places and events beyond the primary context(s) when relevant to the argument. In fact, the IB encourages this as it displays global consciousness. However, a detailed contextualized study of these additional cases is impossible within the 4,000-word limit.