Active learning ideas
World order refers to the activities and relationships between the world's states, and other significant non-state actors, that occur within a legal, political, and economic framework. This topic examines the need for global cooperation to address issues like conflict, poverty, and environmental degradation. Students explore the historical development of international relations, from the Treaty of Westphalia to the post-Cold War era, and the role of international law in maintaining peace and security.
Activity 01
Students represent different countries with conflicting interests (e.g., economic vs. environmental) and must negotiate the terms of a new international treaty on plastic pollution.
What is meant by the term 'world order'?
Activity 02
Display key historical events (e.g., WWI, WWII, the fall of the Berlin Wall). Students move around to identify how each event led to a change in international law or the creation of a new global institution.
Why is global cooperation essential in the modern era?
Activity 03
Students discuss whether a truly 'ordered' world is possible given the persistence of conflict. They brainstorm the biggest obstacles to global peace with a partner.
How have historical conflicts shaped current international law?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
International law is just like domestic law.
International law lacks a central enforcement authority (like a global police force). A 'comparison table' activity helps students see that international law relies more on consent and cooperation than domestic law does.
The UN is a world government.
The UN is an intergovernmental organisation made up of sovereign states; it cannot dictate laws to countries. Peer-teaching about the UN Charter helps clarify that the UN's power is limited by the sovereignty of its members.
Methods used in this brief
International Responses to Conflict
This topic evaluates the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses to world order issues, including the UN, international instruments, and non-government organisations.
8 methodologies
Contemporary Global Conflicts
Students conduct an in-depth study of a contemporary world order issue, such as regional conflicts or the threat of nuclear weapons. They assess the international community's response to the issue.
8 methodologies