IB TOK syllabus

11 IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – Course Outline Teacher: Mr. DoreyRoom: 122EE-mail: jason.dorey@This outline provides a general overview of the Theory of Knowledge course.Course DescriptionThe TOK course is an interdisciplinary course that intends to develop a coherent approach to learning and knowledge. Focus is set on the student as a knowing subject, and with that starting point the different ways and areas of knowledge are explored.The aims of the TOK course are, in general terms, to help the students to be more conscious about their own views on knowledge issues, and encourage them to share ideas with others and to listen to and learn from others.More specifically, the aims of the TOK course are to:•develop a fascination with the richness of knowledge as a humanendeavour, and an understanding of the empowerment that follows from reflecting upon it,•develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, criticallyexamined, evaluated and renewed, by communities and individuals,•encourage students to reflect on their experiences as learners, in everyday life and in the Diploma Programme, and to make connections betweenacademic disciplines and between thoughts, feelings and actions,•encourage an interest in the diversity of ways of thinking and ways ofliving of individuals and communities, and an awareness of personal and ideological assumptions, including participants’ own,•encourage consideration of the responsibilities originating from therelationship between knowledge, the community and the individual ascitizen of the world.Having followed the TOK course, students should be able to:•analyze critically knowledge claims, their underlying assumptions andtheir implications,•generate questions, explanations, conjectures, hypotheses, alternativeideas and possible solutions in response to knowledge issues concerning areas of knowledge, ways of knowing and students’ own experience aslearners,•demonstrate an understanding of different perspectives on knowledgeissues,•draw links and make effective comparisons between different approaches to knowledge issues that derive from areas of knowledge, ways ofknowing, theoretical positions and cultural values,•demonstrate an ability to give a personal, self-aware response to aknowledge issue,•formulate and communicate ideas clearly with due regard for accuracyand academic honesty.TopicsIn the conception of TOK there are four ways of knowing: emotion, reason, perception and language. There are also six areas of knowledge (cf. the IB hexagon): mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, history, arts and ethics. The TOK course tries to explore these ways and areas from the perspective of the individual knower.This course will follow the narrative of a quest for truth of knowledge. To do this the course will address the four ways of knowledge, the six areas of knowledge, and selected values and worldviews. Divided into four semesters we will have the following outline:IB Year 1, Semester 1Part One: Introduction to TOK•The Nature of Knowledge•Problems of KnowledgePart Two: Knowledge Issues, Knowers & Knowing•The Nature of Knowledge•Problems of KnowledgePart Three: Sense Perception (WoK)•Empirical knowledge•Optical illusions•How can we know?Part Four: Language (WoK)•Non-verbal•Denotation & connotation•StereotypingIB Year 1, Semester 2Part Five: Reason (WoK)•Rationalism & Reasoning•Syllogisms•Truth & validity•Hidden assumptions•axiomsPart Six: Emotion (WoK)•TBDPart Seven: Paradigms (Values & Worldviews)•Mental Constructs•Differences over time & cultures•Religion and ParadigmsPart Eight: Morality, Ethics & Politics (Values & Worldviews)•What is ethics?•Role of government•Human rights.•Perfect societyThe classroom situation will be characterized by a continuous critical discussion, where the students are enforced to formulate their own thoughts and examine them. In connection with the topics above we will try to find concrete examples in our own context and personal experience.We will work interdisciplinary with the other subject teachers to promote these questions. All DP- subjects will use linking questions and TOK-teachers will take part in other lessons.We will make exercises of varying kind to broaden and deepen the issues. These exercises will often focus on thought patterns, on values and prejudices.We will also work with case studies, were we empirically analyze specific situations in society etc. and relate them to knowledge issues.In the TOK course we will use textbooks and other literature, databases and articles on Internet, movies and television programs, natural objects and pieces of art.AssessmentThe TOK course contributes to the IB Diploma with at maximum 3 points. These points are achieved through an essay and a presentation.External AssessmentThe external assessment will be the basis of the student receiving the 3 bonus points in the IB program. This will be divided into two major categories: •An essay on a prescribed title•Presentation to the classAn essay on a prescribed title (1200-1600 words)The title is chosen from a list of ten titles prescribed by the IBO for each examination session. Assessment is done externally, according to the four criteria in the TOK-guide:•Understanding knowledge issues•Knower´s perspective•Quality of analysis of knowledge issues•Organization of ideasPresentation to the classThe presentation can be individual or by small group, and requires written planning document and presentation marking form, using the relevant form from the Vade Mecum. Presentation dates will be assigned well in advance, in order to allow sufficient time for preparation and investigation on the chosen topic. Assessment is done by the TOK-teacher, according to the four criteria in the TOK-guide:•Identification of knowledge issue•Treatment of knowledge issues•Knower’s perspective•ConnectionsInternal AssessmentThe internal assessment will be used to inform students of where they stand in relation to the TOK course. This will provide students with an accurate framework upon which to measure themselves. The internal grading scheme will be divided into three sections as follows:•Application 30 %•Thinking 40 %•Communication 30 %Application:Papers and presentations (30 %)TOK papers and presentations allow students to apply and personalise topics studied in class through clarifying, synthesising and crystallising their current thinking on knowledge issues. Papers and presentations also provide students with practice for the formally assessed IB paper and presentation. (See below for details on “IB assessment”.)Policy: Each student will be doing several papers and presentations for practice. Presentations may be individual or in groups. Topics will sometimes be assigned, sometimes chosen by the students themselves. Although we will start with essay practice already during the first semester, our focus will be on presentations. Every student will have completed his or her final presentation by the beginning of the second semester, from which moment onwards our focus will be on essay writing.All papers and presentations will be assessed using IB assessment descriptors for TOK. Peer evaluation also forms an integral part of the learning process and will therefore be an important part of the course.Thinking:Assignments (20%)It is essential that students thoroughly read assigned materials as well as complete any tasks given. Reflecting on the ideas presented in study materials is crucial for each student’s learning process and will significantly inform class discussions as well as all as all other parts of the course assessment.TOK journal(30%)Critical reflection is an essential part of the TOK course. The TOK Journal Assignment provides students with an opportunity for critical reflection outside of the classroom, permitting students to identify and analyse issues of knowledge in their personal lives and, hence, to make “real world” connections. With TOK being at the centre of the IB hexagon, these “real world connections” are exactly what the course is about: the real-life relevance and interconnectivity of all our experiences and learning.Communication:Class participation (20%)Discussion is a central part of the TOK class. Each student’s participation is vital for the student’s own intellectual development, as well as that of the others in the class. Class participation also includes note taking. While it does not matter to me whether you use a notebook, a folder or your laptop to take notes, it is expected that you take notes in class all the time and without prompting.Late Work and Make-UpsL ate work will be penalized at 10% per day to a maximum of three days (30%). After that, a grade of zero will be earned for that particular assignment/project and will become part of the student’s evaluation for that quarter/semester. Parents will be informed of this situation.If the due date is a Friday and the work is turned-in on a Monday, the penalty will be 10%. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the teacher (e.g. medical reasons).Unexcused absences warrant a zero for missed quizzes and tests. Otherwise, all quizzes and tests will be taken prior to the excused absence, or immediately following the absence. Students are instructed not to wait for the next scheduled class to see their teacher.Attendance, Participation and AttitudeAvoid missing class, for any reason, as each student is responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements on course procedures, examinations, etc. Unexcused absences can and will affect your grade. In the case of excused absences, they should be kept to a minimum. It is the student’s responsibility to make up for classes missed, not the teacher’s.Prompt arrival to class is also expected. You are asked to be prepared (physically and mentally) for class discussions, possess a positive attitude, and be ready for individual and collaborative work.ResourcesTextbooks:Abel, Reuben: Man is the Measure, 2006. Free Press, New York.Alchin, Nicholas: Theory of Knowledge, 2nd ed., 2006. Hodder&Murray, London.Dombrowski, Eileen, et al. Theory of Knowledge: Course Companion. Oxford University Press, 2007.Supplementary Material:Various articles, movies and television programs.Resources in library and on the internet.Teaching TimeThe TOK course consists of 100 hours of class time. This has been broken down into four semesters, two semesters per each of the two years. The remainder of the time in year two, semester two will be devoted to student work on an essay of a prescribed title.IB Year 1:Semester 1 = 30 hoursSemester 2 = 40 hoursIB Year 2:Semester 1 = 30 hoursSemester 2 = 0 hours (depending on previous 3 semesters)Theory of KnowledgeCourse Syllabus AgreementI have read the course syllabus for Theory of Knowledge and fully agree to all terms, conditions and notices stated within it.____________________________________Date____________________________ _______________________________ Student Name Student Signature____________________________ _______________________________ Guardian Name Guardian SignaturePlease return this form by ________________________________.。