Deerfield Beach High School IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE Course Information & Syllabus

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1 Deerfield Beach High School IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE Course Information & Syllabus Instructor: Mr. W. Collazo Academic Year: Time & Location: Periods 5, 6, and 7 - Room 116 Office Hours: Planning Period 3; also available by appointment before or after school Contact information: Ø Parents may contact me during the above hours using the school s number, ; you may also contact me by at wcollazo@browardschools.com. Conferences may be scheduled upon request. Ø Students may stop by my room before or after school; you may also contact me via at dbhssensei@gmail.com. Ø Course Website: TEXTBOOK INFORMATION The following textbooks will be used during the course of this semester: Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge Guide. Cardiff, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization, Dombrowski, Eileen, et al. Theory of Knowledge. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Phillips, Christopher. Six Questions of Socrates. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004.* * Students are asked to purchase this text. ** Please note also that a wealth of handouts drawing from many other resources and reading assignments from other courses will be utilized in addition to the primary texts cited above. COURSE DESCRIPTION Central to the educational philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Program, the Theory of Knowledge course challenges students to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. The class encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world. TOK is designed to provide students with an opportunity for reflection. As such, the course is not designed to impart new information so much as it is intended to explore the origins and limitations of what the students have already learned in other courses. Students will carefully consider and investigate epistemological, philosophical, and religious perspectives as they pertain to all of the I.B. curriculum s subject categories. INTENDED OUTCOMES After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to do the following: 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.

2 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. REQUIRED MATERIALS The following items are required for the course; students are expected to bring these items to class everyday: 1 bound composition book for journal writing, notes & reflections 1 three-ring binder (1/2-inch suggested) or folder for keeping handouts Blue or black ink pens for writing No pencils will be used Please note that from time to time the teacher may ask the students to bring other items to be used in class that are not listed above. GRADING POLICY 1) Grading Scale: as passed by the Florida State Legislature. 2) Grading System: There are four categories of assessment in calculating your grade; these categories will be weighted as follows: 1. Reflections Journal 40% (completed regularly; checked weekly) 2. Concept Applications 20% (completed as assigned) 3. Knowledge-at-Work Examples - 20% (completed as assigned) 4. IB-Required Assessments 20% (1 presentation & 1 prescribed title essay) ASSESSMENTS Students will be asked to participate fully in classroom discussions and assignments. Since one of the major objectives of this course is to develop the student s ability to express ideas and formulate informed opinions, demonstration of this through full participation in classroom activities is essential. Classroom activities will include, but are not limited to, the following: large and small-group discussions, short oral presentations, Socratic seminars, writing exercises, current events discussions, etc. The following assessments are designed to determine how well a student applies the concepts of the course to real-world knowledge issues. 1) Reflections Journal: Students are required to keep a daily journal of their personal and analytical reflections in a bound composition book throughout the course. They must enter entries into this journal as assigned in class. Individual responses and discussion notes in these entries must be included in order to be awarded full credit. Entry topics will be determined by the instructor, and at times by the student. Students are encouraged to use this journal as a tool for honest self-analysis, introspection, and careful deliberation on TOK ideas. The format of each entry is outlined in a separate handout. This journal will be collected periodically throughout the course as announced in class. 2) Concept Applications: Students will be asked to complete assignments that involve applying specific TOK concepts to argument construction and methodology consideration. These tasks will include, but are not limited to, the following: term/vocabulary identification quizzes, addressing questions drawn from the readings and texts; writing a counter-argument for a prescribed title essay; completing a follow-up activity for a Socratic Seminar, and creating a personal history. Details for each application will be provided as a separate handout. This application assignment will be due as assigned during the course of each nine weeks. 2

3 3) Knowledge-at-Work Examples: Students will find and consider media for its argumentation and TOK themes. The intent is to challenge students to use TOK critical skills to determine the validity of real-world arguments and debates. One example of the student s choosing must be submitted as a two-page report, following the guidelines outlined in a separate handout. 4) IB-Required Assessments: Presentations (internal assessments) will be based on topics chosen by the students and will relate to areas covered in the course; essays (external assessments) will be chosen from the six I.B. Prescribed Titles for this year s session. One presentation in the 3 rd Quarter will be required; students will also write one practice prescribed title essay in the 4 th Quarter. Please refer to the Assessment section of the TOK Curriculum Guide for details on format and assessment criteria. * Midterm & Final examinations: For both the midterm and final exams, students will complete a multiple-choice examination that assesses understanding of key concepts, perspectives and methodologies studied throughout the course. These grades will not be factored into the 18 weeks grade, only the term grade as calculated by the district. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES These procedures represent the culture of our classroom. As with any culture, there are certain values and practices that are considered acceptable and unacceptable. Below is a listing and explanation of those attitudes and practices that will ensure survival and success in our culture. 1) Come to class on time and prepared. 2) Be mindful of the daily class routine. When you enter the class and take your seat, take out your journal and begin work on the question for consideration; remember to put the date on any work that you do. During open discussions and Socratic Seminars, participate fully and take risks... do not be afraid to express opinions that may not be popular. At the end of each class: a) Return any books and borrowed materials to their proper locations. b) Check and dispose of any trash that may be around your seat. c) Be sure to take all of your belongings with you. 3) Actively listen and be respectful of others. 4) Maintain a positive attitude and be ready to take risks. 5) Avoid bringing food, candy, drinks to class. No unauthorized eating or drinking in this classroom. Please throw out your gum as you enter the classroom. 3

4 ATTENDANCE POLICY All policies regarding attendance and tardiness fall under those outlined in the Code of Student Conduct & Discipline Handbook distributed to each student. Please refer to this handbook for details about the student s responsibilities and the consequences for violating these policies. All students are encouraged to have a study buddy and to check the course website for the daily journal topic and updates on homework assignments. MAKE-UP WORK All policies regarding make-up work fall under those outlined in the Code of Student Conduct & Discipline Handbook distributed to each student. Please refer to this handbook for details about the student s responsibilities and the consequences for violating these policies. LATE WORK POLICY Students are expected to submit their work on or before the date due. If work is submitted late, it must be complete to be accepted. 20% will be deducted from the maximum number of points earned on the assignment. This rule will be applied to journal submissions as well, but will also be applied to each entry being graded for that particular check. TECHNOLOGY USE Students are required to be proficient or have a working knowledge in the use of word processing and automated researching skills (internet, databases, etc.). Since there is a course website, there will be times that you will be asked to search the site on the Internet. Students are strongly encouraged to have an address and regular internet access. If you do not have or internet access at home, the media center has computers for your use; during the weekends, you can use your local library s computers. There are many free services such as Yahoo and Gmail. This is a valuable tool to keep up with work, research, and announcements. ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material, which demonstrates their level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Such standards are founded on the basic concepts of honesty and integrity. MYP/IB students are in addition bound to act in accordance with the IB Honor Code. The teacher reserves the right to award NO points for an assignment where evidence shows the student submitted work that is not his/her own original work and/or used sources that have not been acknowledged by the student in the final product. Progressive disciplinary action will then be followed in according with the Student Code of Conduct and the IB Honor Code. 4

5 Deerfield Beach High School IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE - SYLLABUS This is a general outline of the course topics and issues in the order we will be discussing them. Please note that this syllabus is subject to change in the case of any unforeseen time constraints. 1 & & 5 6 & 7 8 & 9 10 & ST SEMESTER Introduction to TOK Nature of the Subject; Learner Profile & Orientation to Diploma Program Curriculum; Considering a Definition of Knowledge; Perspectives; How Do We Know the Things We Know? Knowledge Sources; Knower(s), Human Nature & The Human Brain Personal & Shared Knowledge Distinction Ways of Knowing (WOK) Sense Perception & Memory Phenomenology; Perception vs. Perspective; Perception as a Process and as a Product; Memory & Time; False Memory; Individual & Collective Memory WOK Reason & Language Rationality & Logic; Reason in Justification & Certainty; Truth & Fallacy; Examining Expression & Communication; Power of Words; Lost in Translation; Intention vs. Impact; Definition & Connotation WOK Emotion & Faith Rationality & Irrationality; Emotional Intelligence; Culture & Emotional Response; Faith in Knowledge; Faith & Certainty; Spiritual & Blind Faith? WOK Imagination & Intuition Imagination & Creativity; Experience in Imagination & Intuition Intuition vs. Instinct; Rational v. Intuitive Understanding & Perspectives Areas of Knowledge (AOK) The Arts The Nature of Art & Quality ; The Role of Value Subjectivity vs. Objectivity: Art vs. Science AOK Ethics Definition/Distinguishing between Morality & Ethics/Examining Various Systems of Ethics; Cultural Relativism/Good vs. Evil-- Real-World Issues in Ethics MIDTERM EXAM & & & nd SEMESTER AOK History Examining the Construction of History/What Makes History? Analyzing Events from Different Perspectives; Prioritizing Values AOK Human Sciences Verstehen & Challenges of Studying Humans; Hard vs. Soft Sciences Revisiting the Ways of Knowing/Human Nature; Morality & Ethics AOK Natural Sciences The Formation of Scientific Concepts; Analyzing the Scientific Method Paradigms, The Scientific Community, and Morality/Ethics AOK Mathematics Formal Systems & Definitions; The Nature of Reality & Time; Pythagoras & Other Thinkers; Paradigms AOK Religious Knowledge Systems Religion in Society Addressing Fundamental Questions of Life, Value & Knowledge; Assessment Preparations AOK Indigenous Knowledge Systems Non-Western/Non-traditional systems of knowledge Final Assessments & Presentations Current Events Focus Making Connections & Back to the Beginning TOK Last Will & Testament FINAL EXAM 5