Global Perspectives and Independent Research at Christopher Whitehead Language College
Cambridge Pre-U GPR is an excellent alternative to Critical Thinking, General Studies and the Extended Project. The course focuses on building skills rather than on specific content. Learners develop research, thinking, reasoning and communication skills by following an approach to analysing and evaluating arguments and perspectives.
Candidates will learn how to deconstruct and reconstruct arguments by researching global issues and interrogating evidence. They will reflect on the implications of their research and analysis from a personal perspective and communicate their findings and ideas as reasoned arguments.
Component 1 Written Examination Written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, 30 marks – weighted at 25% of the Global Perspectives marks. Candidates answer compulsory, structured questions based on two sources provided with the examination paper. Questions will require both short and longer responses. Candidates will be assessed on their thinking and reasoning skills focused on analysing and evaluating arguments, interrogating evidence and contexts and comparing perspectives centred on global issues.
Component 2 Essay Essay, 30 marks – weighted at 30% of the Global Perspectives marks. Candidates write an essay on a global issue of their own choice from topics studied during the course. The essay must be framed as a single question which is clearly focused on a global issue that lends itself to global treatment in 1750 to 2000 words. Candidates should focus their individual research on identifying and exploring the context and basis of the arguments from different global perspectives. They should identify different perspectives, understand the arguments, reasoning or claims, upon which these perspectives are based, offer a critical view of them and reach a personal, supported view.
Component 3 Presentation Presentation (max 15 minutes running time) – 45% of the Global Perspectives marks. Candidates produce a presentation based on pre-released source materials provided by Cambridge. The stimulus material consists of a range of sources about at least one global issue seen through a variety of perspectives. Candidates use the stimulus material to identify and research a topic for their presentation. Candidates must frame a single question that allows them to address contrasting perspectives on an issue derived from the stimulus material. They may research one or more perspectives for themselves.
Candidates should reflect on the alternative perspectives found in the source materials and from their own research and the focus of the presentation is mainly reflection and communication. In their presentation, candidates establish and present a coherent, personal perspective that shows an understanding of, and empathy with alternative perspectives. Candidates are normally expected to deliver their presentation to a live audience and candidates may choose any appropriate format to communicate their research (e.g. poster, PowerPoint, video, weblog, webpages or a mixture of different media). All materials must be submitted electronically.
Component 4 Cambridge Research Report Research report, 60 marks – 100% Independent Research mark. The Cambridge Research Report must be framed as a single question that lends itself to in-depth research. This must be submitted to Cambridge for approval. Candidates submit a single report which should not exceed 5000 words. It is recommended that candidates submit a report of between 4500 and 5000 words. The report itself is a single piece of extended writing in the form of a dissertation or a report based on an investigation or field study.
The precise nature and format of the report, and the research and reporting convention adopted, will be those most appropriate to the subject of the enquiry. Equally, whether the work is based in primary or secondary material or both will depend on the subject matter and the approach. The report must include a bibliography and full bibliographical references must be given fo