Case studies

Depth over breadth. Teaching with a small set of well-researched cases beats skimming many. It supports stronger analysis and better use of evidence.

Integrate the course. A focused case bank makes it easier to connect the core and the three thematic studies throughout the year.

Spiral back to cases. Don’t park a case in one unit. Revisit it from new angles to surface connections.

• Example: Start Haiti’s 2021 political unrest under Peace & Conflict, then return to it to examine Development & Sustainability after the earthquake.
  
  

Use concise background. Although the course centers on contemporary politics, brief historical context helps explain today’s causes and complexities.

Exam reminder (contemporary). For IB assessments, “contemporary” ≈ the last two decades. Prioritize recent developments and current data.

Build confidence. Re-using familiar cases lets students go deeper, compare perspectives, and strengthen evaluation skills.

HL extension. Previously studied cases can anchor HL inquiries. Students can extend the same cases into specific Global Political Challenges (e.g., Security, Poverty) with richer, exam-ready evidence.