By way of providing further background to this study on twenty-first century (‘C21’) curriculum policies and practices in Australia, within the broad context of globalization, this chapter provides an exposition on the key concepts of globalization, policy, and curriculum. Additionally, it addresses the specific notion of a ‘C21 curriculum’. The first section outlines the principles underpinning globalization and how processes of globalization have influenced the education landscape. The second section details how globalization has influenced education policy-making within nation-states. The third section examines the concept of curriculum and the factors that can influence curriculum planning, production and enactment. This is followed by a section that explores the central concepts underpinning the complex and contested notion of ‘C21 curriculum’ policy as well as possible tensions involved in enacting such a policy. Finally, issues related to the enactment of the Australian Curriculum are considered, as it purports to be a ‘C21 curriculum’.