PHS IB Theory of Knowledge Course Details

Nature of TOK The Theory of Knowledge course is central to the International Baccalaureate program. In TOK the student and teacher are challenged to explore human knowledge, the nature of knowing, the processes involved in learning and to consider the role which knowledge plays in an evolving global society. Class sessions include the extensive use of interdisciplinary classroom discussion, debate, probing question sessions, forums, and both individual and group exploration. The overall goal for TOK is to foster an appreciation for the quest for knowledge, its importance, its complexities, and its human implications, and to create a foundation for the student’s future participation, and acceptance of, future societal leadership roles.

This Theory of Knowledge course is mandatory for IB students seeking graduation and will involve approximately 120 hours of class time divided between the second semester of the junior year and the first semester of the student’s senior year.

TOK Aims

The major objective of this course is to engage the IB student in reflections on, and in the questioning of, the bases of knowledge, so that the student will:

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

2. Develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed critically examined, evaluated and renewed, by communities and individuals.

3. Encourage students to reflect n their experiences as learners, in everyday life and in the Diploma Program, and to make connections between academic disciplines and between thoughts, feelings and actions.

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

5. Develop a concern for rigor in formulating knowledge claims, and intellectual honesty

TOK Objectives

At the end of the course the IB student should be able to:

1. Analyze critically knowledge claims, their underlying assumptions and their implications.

2. Generate questions, explanations, conjectures, hypotheses, alternative ideas and possible solutions in response to knowledge issues concerning areas of knowledge, ways of knowing and students’ own experience as learners.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of different perspectives on knowledge issues.

4. Draw links and make effective comparisons between different approaches to knowledge issues that derive from areas of knowledge, ways of knowing, theoretical positions and cultural values.

5. Demonstrate an ability to give a personal, self-aware response to a knowledge issue.

6. Formulate and communicate ideas clearly with due regard for accuracy and academic honesty.

7. Use oral and written language to formulate and communicate ideas clearly

Topics:

First Semester (Junior Year)

I. Introduction to TOK: Overview of TOK course with all necessary information relating to class topics, expectations, assignments, discussions, etc., distributed and discussed in class.

II. Unit One: Knowers and Knowing

A. Nature of Knowing

B. Knowers and Sources of Knowledge

C. Knowledge, Truth, Belief and Faith

D. Justification of Knowledge Claims

F. Responsibilities of knowledge and the Knower

G. Linking Questions

III. Unit Two: Ways of Knowing

A. Sense Perception

1. Nature of perception

2. Limitations of Perception

B. Language

1. Nature of Language

2. Language and Knowledge

3. Functions of Language

4. Language and Culture

C. Reason

1. Nature of Reason

2. Reason and Knowledge

3. Strengths and weaknesses of Reason

IV. Essay on a Prescribed Title

A. Overview/Requirements

B. Thesis development and discussion

C. Paper development

D. Essay discussion

V. Unit Three: Areas of Knowledge

A. Mathematics

1. Definition of Mathematics

2. Mathematics and Reality

3. Mathematics and Knowledge claims

4. Mathematics and Values

B. Natural Science

1. Definitions of the natural sciences

2. Methods of Gaining Knowledge through the Natural Sciences

3. Natural Sciences and Knowledge Claims

4. Natural Sciences and Technology

5. Natural Sciences: Metaphor and Reality

VI. Extended Essay (Although the extended essay is assigned during the first semester of TOK it is not due until the second. This gives the student time to work on it during the summer break)

A. Overview of Extended Essay

1. Nature of essay

2. Resources/documentation

3. Stylistics

B. Assessment Criteria

1. Focus on Research Question

2. Approach

3. Analysis/Interpretation

4. Evidence and argument

5. Conclusion

6. Abstract

7. Presentation of essay

8. General overview of essay

C. Oral Presentation

1. Nature of Oral Presentation

2. Modeling

3. Practice presentations

4. Assessment

D. Extended Essay topic and mentor selection

Second Semester (Senior Year)

I. Unit by unit review of first semester topics:

A. Knowers and Knowing

B. Ways of Knowing

II. Review of Essay on Prescribed Topic, Oral Presentation and Extended Essay

A. Assignment requirements

B. Practice presentations

C. Assessments

III. Review Areas of Knowledge covered during the first semester

A. Mathematics

B. Natural Sciences

IV. Unit Four: Remaining Areas of Knowledge

A. History

1. Definition of history

2. History: methods for gaining knowledge

3. History and knowledge claims

4. History and values

B. Arts

1. Definition of the Arts

2. The Arts: Methods of Gaining Knowledge

3. The arts and knowledge claims

4. The arts and values

5. The arts and knowledge perspectives

C. Ethics

1. Definition of ethics

2. Ethics: methods of gaining knowledge and knowledge claims

3. Ethics and values

4. Ethics and technology

5. Ethics and knowledge perspectives

6. Ethics and politics

V. TOK Wrap-up

A. Comprehensive Review: Where we now stand

B. Final and Final Activities

Assessment:

An integral part of the TOK course, there will be two assessment tasks, the essay and the presentation. These will be complementary opportunities for students to show the extent to which they have achieved the TOK course objectives.

External assessment

-- Essay on a prescribed title (1,200–1,600 words) chosen from a list of ten titles prescribed by the IBO for the examination session.

Internal assessment

-- Presentation (approximately 10 minutes) to include, a presentation to the class and a written presentation. This written presentation to include the planning document and presentation marking form, as well as the form

from the Vade Mecum, including:

• the knowledge issue that is the focus of the presentation

• a summary in note form of the knowledge issues to be treated during the presentation

• achievement levels for each of the four assessment criteria, briefly justified, from both student and teacher.

The presentation will be an integral part of the TOK course.

Resources:

Standards:

http://www.ibo.org

Helpful Websites:

Provo High School

An “IB World School”

1125 N. University Ave.

Provo, UT 84604

Phone: 801-373-6550

Fax: 801-374-4880

IB Coordinator:

Lori Rich

LoriR@provo.edu