A strong GI (Global Issue) must contain the following attributes:
1.
Significant impact on a wide/large scale
2.
Transnational application
3.
Impactful in everyday local contexts
“Everyday local contexts” implies timelessness, meaning that the issue demonstrates relevance in the past and present.Potential Phrasings for the GI:
Initially phrase your GI with the provided template below and refine it as necessary.
Template |
The [adj] impact of ____ on ____. |
The _____ of ____ as a result of ____. |
The [adj] relationship between ___ and ___. |
___ as a cause of ____. |
Tips for structuring GI:
•
Look for cause and effect relationships between two concepts in chosen works!
•
Keep your GI concise since you will mention it repeatedly during presentation
•
Your Global “Issue” must address a problem or a problematic concern that requires a solution
The GI should also fall within one of these fields of 5 inquiries:
Culture, identity & community
Example Themes | Sample GI |
Culture/Ethnicity | The risk of losing cultural diversity due to the spread of popular western culture. |
Migration/Culture/Identity | How forced migration leads to a loss of cultural identity and traditions. |
Identity | The impact of social media on body image and self-worth. |
Culture | How consumer culture encourages materialism. |
Nationalism/Identity/Nationality | How consumer culture encourages materialism. |
Beliefs, values & education
Example Themes | Sample GI |
Education/Inequality | How unequal access to education exacerbates poverty and income disparity. |
Information/Societal values/Community | The effects of propaganda and misinformation on public opinion and social unity. |
Beliefs/Values | The impact of extremist beliefs on political division and democratic values. |
Conflicting beliefs | Social conflicts arising from divergent religious beliefs. |
Education system | How formal education may lead to inflexible thinking, hindering creativity and innovation. |
Politics, power & justice
Example Themes | Sample GI |
Human rights/Politics/Power | Human rights violations that lead to oppression. |
Globalization/Power dynamics | The impact of globalization on national sovereignty and political systems. |
Justice/Injustice/Inequality | How political corruption perpetuates social inequality and injustice. |
Government functions and structures | The challenge of protecting national security without infringing on civil rights in times of terror. |
Justice/Power | How systemic racism affects fair treatment under the law. |
Art, creativity & imagination
Example Themes | Sample GI |
Creativity | How digital sharing threatens intellectual property rights. |
Artistic Inspiration/Societal impact of art | The impact of censorship on artistic freedom and self-expression. |
How art shapes or challenges views | Balancing artistic freedom with social responsibility and respect for cultural and religious beliefs. |
Artistic freedom | Copyright restrictions that limit musicians’ and artists’ freedom of expression. |
Science, technology & the environment
Themes: human-environment relationships, the role of technology and media, and scientific progress & development
Example Themes | Sample GI |
Environment | Climate change and its impact on global food availability. |
Scientific advancement/Technology | The ethical and social responsibilities that come with technological advances. |
Artificial Intelligence/Technology | How automation and AI are reshaping employment. |
Development/Environment | Balancing economic growth with environmental preservation. |
Technology | Privacy issues arising from technology companies’ data practices. |
Tip: Use one or more of these inquiry fields as a starting point to develop a unique GI tailored to your chosen works! If there are multiple fields of inquiry applicable to your chosen pair of works, choose the one you feel most comfortable talking about.