Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge Mr. Booten, Instructor 2006-2007 Course Overview ‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said, ‘To talk of many things: Of shoes---and ships---and sealing-wax— Of cabbages—and kings...’ (Lewis Carroll) *AIMS The aims of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) program are to engage students in reflection on and in the questioning of, the bases of knowledge, so that they:      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 Program, 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 citizen of the world. *OBJECTIVES Having completed a TOK course, students should be able to:       Analyze critically knowledge claims, their underlying assumptions, and their implications; 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; Demonstrate an understanding of different perspectives on knowledge issues; 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; Demonstrate an ability to give a personal, self-aware response to a knowledge issue; Formulate and communicate ideas clearly with due regard for accuracy and academic honesty. *taken from the IB Theory of Knowledge subject guide, 2006 COURSE DESCRIPTION: Theory of Knowledge is a weighted course required of all IB students. The course serves many purposes; the most important is that it encourages students not only to reflect upon what they have learned, but to question it. The principal purpose of TOK is to acquaint students with the biases through which much “truth” is filtered and to provide for them an opportunity to explore those biases. Therefore, throughout the course, we will consider what we think we know and why we think we know it. Because the time requirement for TOK is not as stringent as that required of other IB courses, students will also benefit from extra time to prepare for college entrance exams, complete IB CAS requirements, plan IB seminars and workshops, prepare for academic competitions, and complete other IB coursework. GRADING PROCEDURE: The course is designed to simulate a college seminar class. Accordingly, grades will be determined based upon the following: 1. Three examinations (each worth 100 points) 2. Six formal position or reaction papers (each worth 100 points) 3. IB Internal Assessment: Oral presentation on a related topic chosen by student and approved by teacher (worth 300 points) 4. IB External Assessment: Essay (1200-1500 words) on a prescribed title (worth 300 points). Please note: this assignment serves as the TOK FINAL EXAM 5. Extended Essay         Annotated Bibliography—50 points Research Question—10 points Three Mentor Reports—30 points (10 pts. each) Notecards—50 points Outline—10 points First Draft—100 points Abstract—20 points Final Draft—400 points 6. Various other minor assignments, to be determined PRINCIPAL TEXT: Theory of Knowledge, Richard van de Lagemaat TOK Syllabus Week of August 28 September 5 September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 November 6 November 13 November 27 December 4 December 11 December 18 January 2 January 8 January 16 Final Exam Week---Presentation of TOK External Assessment Final preparations for and presentation of internal assessment (oral presentation) and external assessment (essay on prescribed title) Chapter 1, “The Problem of Knowledge” Extended Essay: Bibliography Chapter 2, “The Nature of Knowledge” TEST: Part 1—KNOWERS AND KNOWING Extended Essay: Annotated Bibliography Chapter 3, “Language” Extended Essay: Final Research Question Chapter 4, “Perception” Extended Essay: First Mentor Report Chapter 5, “Reason” Chapter 5, “Emotion” TEST: Part 2—WAYS OF KNOWING Chapter 7, “Mathematics” Extended Essay: 100 Notecards Chapter 8, “The Natural Sciences” Extended Essay: Preliminary Outline Chapter 9, “The Human Sciences” Extended Essay: Second Mentor Report Chapter 10, “History” Chapter 11, “The Arts” Extended Essay: First draft Chapter 12, “Ethics” Extended Essay: Third Mentor Report Chapter 13, “Religion” TEST: Part 3—AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE Chapter 14, “Truth and Wisdom” Extended Essay: Final draft