Welcome to the Senior School Library Learning Centre at Malvern College Hong Kong: World Studies Extended Essays

The chosen topic for the World Studies Extended Essay (WSEE) must address both a local and a global issue of significance, and invite an interdisciplinary approach, meaning that two approved IB subjects should be used as an interdisciplinary critical lens to answer the research question. The most successful topics reveal connections between specific and/or local places, people, phenomena or experiences, and the larger global framework in which they take place (IBO 2010). 

Interdisciplinary research

• Global issues often invite an interdisciplinary approach.

• Different individuals and groups bring different perspectives, areas of expertise, and interests to the same topic. 
• Spending time thinking about an issue and exploring a wide variety of sources will provide a deeper and richer research experience. 
• In a WSEE, crafting a research question does not begin with the subject, but with the issue

The WSEE helps to develop international-mindedness and is the only EE category that specifically 

invites students to deeply explore the concept of global consciousness.

Global Sensitivity 

A sensitivity to local phenomena and experiences as expressions of developments on the planet.

Global Understanding 

The capacity to think in flexible and informed ways about issues of global significance.

Global Self 

A developing perception of self as a global actor and member of humanity, capable of making a positive contribution to the world.

World Studies Extended Essays MUST fall within one of the following six categories:

• Science, technology and society
• Culture, language and identity
• Conflict, peace and security
• Equality and inequality
• Health and development
• Environmental and/or economic sustainability

Click here to learn more about the WSEE sub-categories.