Course Description: IB Theory of Knowledge is a course about critical thinking and inquiring into the process of knowing, rather than about learning a specific body of knowledge. TOK encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all the subjects they study as part of their Diploma Programme course, and to make connections across them. For more information about this course, read over the official TOK subject guide.
The aims of the TOK course are:
Having completed the TOK course, students should be able to:
The approach to teaching the course: Discussion, reflection, and inquiry is the backbone of the TOK course. Students are invited to consider open-ended questions about knowledge against the backdrop of their experiences both in and outside of school. This course can be challenging to some students who gravitate toward academic subjects that have a clear, defined "right" answer, and who have excelled in subjects where memorization of facts is the primary learning approach. TOK does not offer a specific body of knowledge and often poses open-ended questions with no defined answers, which can cause frustration. We often engage with controversial and sensitive topics like ethics, politics, and religion.
Assessment details for Internal and External Requirements: There are two assessment tasks in the TOK course: an essay and an exhibition. The essay is externally assessed by the IB, and must be on any one of the six prescribed titles issued by the IB for each examination session. The maximum word limit for the essay is 1,600 words. The exhibition (new for 2022) requires students to show how TOK concepts manifest in the real world by choosing 3 objects that represent TOK concepts, and writing reflections about those objects. More details about these assessments can be found in the TOK subject guide.
Grading Policy & Scale: Student evaluations will be based upon a variety of learning opportunities, including but not limited to readings, reflections, journals, essays, discussion, individual and group projects, and exams. Students can expect at least one grade per week. Active participation is critical to success, and will be factored into all relevant evaluations.
The aims of the TOK course are:
- to encourage students to reflect on the central question, “How do we know that?”, and to recognize the value of asking that question
- to expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with multiple plausible answers
- to equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world, and help prepare them to encounter novel and complex situations
- to encourage students to be more aware of their own perspectives and to reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions
- to engage students with multiple perspectives, foster open-mindedness and develop intercultural understanding
- to encourage students to make connections between academic disciplines by exploring underlying concepts and by identifying similarities and differences in the methods of inquiry used in different areas of knowledge
- to prompt students to consider the importance of values, responsibilities and ethical concerns relating to the production, acquisition, application and communication of knowledge.
Having completed the TOK course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate TOK thinking through the critical examination of knowledge questions
- identify and explore links between knowledge questions and the world around us
- identify and explore links between knowledge questions and areas of knowledge
- develop relevant, clear and coherent arguments
- use examples and evidence effectively to support a discussion
- demonstrate awareness and evaluation of different points of view
- consider the implications of arguments and conclusions.
The approach to teaching the course: Discussion, reflection, and inquiry is the backbone of the TOK course. Students are invited to consider open-ended questions about knowledge against the backdrop of their experiences both in and outside of school. This course can be challenging to some students who gravitate toward academic subjects that have a clear, defined "right" answer, and who have excelled in subjects where memorization of facts is the primary learning approach. TOK does not offer a specific body of knowledge and often poses open-ended questions with no defined answers, which can cause frustration. We often engage with controversial and sensitive topics like ethics, politics, and religion.
Assessment details for Internal and External Requirements: There are two assessment tasks in the TOK course: an essay and an exhibition. The essay is externally assessed by the IB, and must be on any one of the six prescribed titles issued by the IB for each examination session. The maximum word limit for the essay is 1,600 words. The exhibition (new for 2022) requires students to show how TOK concepts manifest in the real world by choosing 3 objects that represent TOK concepts, and writing reflections about those objects. More details about these assessments can be found in the TOK subject guide.
Grading Policy & Scale: Student evaluations will be based upon a variety of learning opportunities, including but not limited to readings, reflections, journals, essays, discussion, individual and group projects, and exams. Students can expect at least one grade per week. Active participation is critical to success, and will be factored into all relevant evaluations.