Theory of Knowledge IB

Theory of Knowledge IB

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE

International Baccalaureate

Campus: Cheadle and Marple (27.02.09)

This course is offered as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. You will take 3 Higher Level subjects and 3 Standard Level subjects and complete components in Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Action Service and an Extended Essay.

Course overview

Theory of Knowledge is unique to the IB Diploma, and has been described as what you remember when youve forgotten everything else.

You will study TOK discretely for about 90 minutes a week, until February of Year 2. The main aim of the course is to encourage you to think about how we know, what we can know, whether knowledge is different in different subject areas, how much knowledge is really just habit or conditioning, and similar issues.

TOK forms part of the IB core and is central to the programme. In many ways it brings coherence to the IB Diploma, as you will examine knowledge claims in all your subjects, compare their strengths and weaknesses, assess their validity and so on. Your separate subject teachers will also bring TOK into their lessons so you will see links between all the areas of learning, and they will support each other.

This joined up thinking is the key to making learning really meaningful; it is not about subjects, but about developing knowledge of the world, yourself, other people. It is also fundamental to understanding many world problems, and therefore to attempting to solve them.

How you will learn

You will constantly be challenged to think about questions you never knew existed. There will be lots of answers, some better than others, and you will learn to evaluate them .

For instance : Is 2+2=4 a stronger knowledge claim than the Battle of Hastings happened in1066?

What does I know what Macbeth is about actually mean ?

Is music a language?

Can we ever know what is meant by green?

You will also examine yourself as a knower. How do I know this? Do I really know it? What influences have shaped my knowing? Can I ever objectively know anything real?

Lessons will be mostly discussion and analysis. Your text book for this course is your life and our world!

How you will be assessed

External Assessment:

Prepared essay, on one question from a choice of 10. The IBO titles will be available to you from the start of year 2. The essay must be 1200-1600 words, and will be based on work you have discussed and analysed in class. It will be completed after Christmas in year 2.

Internal Assessment:

A class presentation, to be completed at the end of year 1. This will be on an element of TOK as it might be applied to a real situation. The teacher and class will decide what areas to explore.

The IB Core and Assessment:

TOK combined with the Extended Essay can earn you up to 3 extra points for your Diploma score. In order to be awarded the Diploma, you must reach a minimum standard in both elements.

Special entry requirements

Standard college entry criteria for I.B., normally 6 GCSEs at Grade B or above in appropriate subjects.

What students say about TOK

TOK is brilliant. The lessons are great because nothing is off limits and you learn how to think so much better.

TOK was the best bit of IB for me. We had such a fantastic time in lessons. It gave me a real head start at University, because I already knew how to ask the right questions.

Everyone should have the chance to do TOK.

Other useful information

TOK is not part of any separate IB Certificates arrangement.