:: ThoK :: Booklet ::

What is Theory of Knowledge?

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an interdisciplinary course that aims to identify and critically analyse how we learn, by transcending and unifying different academic areas, as well as encouraging appreciation of other cultural perspectives, in an attempt to arrive at a coherent approach to learning.

This means you must reflect critically on all of the assumptions and claims held in your:

• other academic subjects,
• cultural/linguistic background,
• socio-economic background,
• political background,
• moral/religious background.

Your 'role' as the "thinker" and "knower".

To reflect critically you will have to adopt and nurture the role of the 'thinker' and examine 'how exactly you, or we, know that a given assertion is true, or a given judgement is well grounded?'

Assertions or judgements of this sort are termed 'knowledge claims', while the difficulties that arise in addressing these questions are the broad areas known as 'problems of knowledge'.

The TOK programme will become clearer if you visualise yourself as the 'knower(s)' - the individual or group - at the centre, reflecting on how they learn.

Ways of Knowing – How do I know?

What I know is affected/influenced by my sensory stimuli through 'perception', which is affected/influenced by 'emotion', formulated and expressed through 'language', and shaped by attempts, through 'reason', to seek order and clarity.

Areas of Knowledge – What do I know?

The Areas of Knowledge is divided into six different classifications of knowledge and subject areas - all affected/influenced by the 'Ways of Knowing' - and all affected/influenced by each other

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the TOK programme you should have:

1. reflected critically on diverse ways of knowledge,
2. assessed critically the areas of knowledge,
3. identified the role knowledge plays in a global society,
4. comprehended the need to be responsible in an interconnected world.

TOK – Assessment Outlines

The assessment model in TOK comprises of two components:

Part 1	External Assessment Essay on a Prescribed Title (1200-1600 words) One essay from the ten prescribed titles. ( View the Assessment Details for the essay. )	(40 points)
Part 2	Internal Assessment The Presentation One presentation to the class. One written self-evaluation report including: a concise description of the presentation, answers to the questions provided on the form. ( View the Assessment Details for the presentation. )	(20 points)