IB: Theory of Knowledge

Thomas Evancho-Thomas Ross-Linda Rogers

Overview: Aims Objectives IB Assessments Diploma Points Matrix BTHS Assessment Late/Missing Assignments Academic Integrity Required Course Materials Classroom Behavior Miscellaneous Questions & Concerns

Overview:

     The Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary course designed to challenge students to develop the skills to analyze, reflect upon, and critique the bases of their accumulated knowledge and systems for processing and acquiring knowledge.  The students will explore the question of how they know what they know.

     To achieve this end, the student will be encouraged to analyze the problems associated with “knowing” and recognize the emotional, linguistic and cultural norms that affect their perspectives and influence their decisions.  The course is designed to challenge assumptions of truth, knowledge, certainty and evidence.  The students will develop the skills to critique sources, develop an awareness of themselves as “knowers” and assume ownership of the course by developing their own coherent approach to learning that transcends and unifies academic areas (mathematics, natural science, social science, history, art and ethics).

      The students will examine the impact of the filters of knowledge: emotion, reason, language, sensory perception, intuition, faith, imagination and memory upon their understanding of the broader areas of knowledge.  They will examine their ways of knowing (WOK) within the context of multicultural beliefs, varying views of evidence, and differing interpretations.

Aims

•    Develop a fascination with the richness of knowledge as a human endeavor, and an understanding of the empowerment that follows from reflecting upon it

•    Develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, critically examined, 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 between academic disciplines and between thoughts, feelings and actions

•    Encourage an interest in the diversity of ways of thinking and ways of living of individuals and communities, and an awareness of personal and ideological assumptions, including participants’ own

•    Encourage consideration of the responsibilities originating from the relationship between knowledge, the community and the individual as citizen of the world.

Objectives

From the IB TOK Guide: 

1. identify and analyse the various kinds of justifications used to support knowledge claims

2. formulate, evaluate and attempt to answer knowledge questions

3. examine how academic disciplines/areas of knowledge generate and shape knowledge

4. understand the roles played by ways of knowing in the construction of shared and personal knowledge

5. explore links between knowledge claims, knowledge questions, ways of knowing and areas of knowledge

6. demonstrate an awareness and understanding of different perspectives and be able to relate these to one’s own perspective

7. explore a real-life/contemporary situation from a TOK perspective in the presentation.

IB Assessments

Part 1:  The TOK Essay: External Assessment (40 points)

The Essay will be on one of six Prescribed Titles (1200-1600 words).  Prescribed Essay titles may not be modified.  Students will be made aware that they will be evaluated on the criteria of:  Knowledge Issues; Quality of Analysis; Breadth and Links; Structure, Clarity and Logic; Examples; Factual Accuracy and Reliability. Students will be encouraged and supported in writing the essay; however, the work will be their own. Emphasis will be placed on proper citation, clarity of arguments, and focus of discussion.  Guidelines for acknowledgements, references, bibliographies, essay length and authenticity will be followed per the TOK subject guide.

Part 2:  The TOK Presentation: Internal Assessment (20 points)

Students will complete a presentation on topics relevant to TOK and complete a self-evaluation report to be retained by the IB Coordinator. Presentations will be assessed using the assessment criteria in the TOK Guide.  Copies of the assessment criteria will be made available to all students. 

Diploma Points Matrix

•    40 possible points are awarded for the externally assessed component (the essay on a prescribed title) and 20 points are awarded for the internally assessed component (the presentation) to give a total out of 60 points. The grade boundaries are then applied to determine the band (A to E) to which the student’s performance in TOK belongs. If a student fails TOK or the extended essay (EE), it is an automatic disqualification from receiving an IB diploma.

BTHS Assessment

Late/Missing Assignments

•    All assignments are due at the beginning of the period that the particular section meets, or at the given time/date in the case of electronic assignments. Unless there is a legitimate school absence, no credit may be given for late homework or minor assessments. In the event an absence, students should hand in any owed assignments immediately upon returning to school and will have 24 hours to make up any work missed. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what it was that they missed, to make up work, and to obtain class notes. In the event of a prolonged absence, special arrangements should be made through the guidance department.

•    Unless an emergency, the teacher must be made aware of any planned absences or field trips at least 5 days in advance. Failure to do so may result in zeros for any missed assignments.

•    Late major assessments/projects/essays will have a 10% reduction in grade per school day. 

Academic Integrity

•    Plagiarism can be understood as either the intentional or unintentional use of another’s ideas or words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information. Academic dishonesty may include handing in another’s work as your own, cheating on an assignment/test/project, or the unauthorized reuse of an assignment created for another class. Both plagiarism and academic dishonesty are incredibly serious violations and may result in disciplinary action against the student/s according to school board policy.

Required Course Materials

•    Theory of Knowledge by Lagemaat 

•    IB Theory of Knowledge Skills and Practice by Rutherford, Santrampurwala, Lekanides, and Rothwell

•    Incognito by Eagleman (summer reading book - primarily needed in September)

•    Binder and/or notebook with folder to take notes and organize materials

•    Lined paper

•    Writing utensils

Classroom Behavior

•    Students are expected to be respectful & attentive in class. Class participation is an essential component of the course and a significant portion of the course grade. Students must prepare before class to be able to successfully contribute to it. 

•    Follow all school rules at all times within the classroom. Beyond that, realize that you are not the only person in the classroom affected by your behavior. Respect everyone and always follow your conscience when making a decision. 

Miscellaneous

•    Students are expected to check the wiki and/or their email regularly for any assignments given.

•    Unless otherwise discussed, all written assignments must be submitted in hard copy.  Many of our assignments, however, will be submitted electronically, so please be prepared and do not plan on using technology as an excuse on a regular basis.  Always have a back up plan, and please talk to your teacher if a problem arises!  

Questions & Concerns

If you have a question or concern about class work, need extra help, want to schedule make-up assignments, or have a question about a grade, we are always willing to meet with you by appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

"The unexamined life is not worth living."- Socrates

"We are like the spider. We weave our life and then move along in it. We are like the dreamer who dreams and then lives in the dream.”- Aitareya Upanishad

“Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.”- The Beatles