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Theory of Knowledge (ToK)

The Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course aims to provide a grounding in critical, analytical and conceptual thinking so that students can assess how certain they can be of the knowledge they acquire in the different subject areas of the IBDP, but also how they can best assess the processes of knowledge production in the individual disciplines. As a core subject, TOK provides a strong link between the practical CAS experiences as well as the formal research undertaken in the Extended Essay (EE). It also aims to show the links between the subjects so that the key skills of synthesis can be developed to help our students become more holistic learners.

This course aims to foster international-mindedness, encourages students to become responsible and actively involved global citizens, and enables them to develop self-awareness and a sense of identity. Students are provided with guidance as well as a safe space and time for reflection on their personal and academic development. It is a fundamental part of the IB approach and thus a required course for all students.

The course, which runs through Grade 11 until almost the end of Term 2 in Grade 12, is composed of weekly classes and three ToK IA Days, when students attend a few lectures and workshops to deepen their critical skills and prepare for their internal assessment.

Course content

The course looks at the ways in which we acquire and produce knowledge and the knowledge issues (e.g., reliability, accuracy, relevance, evidence, etc.) involved in the IBDP subject areas of Natural Sciences, Human Sciences, Mathematics, History and the Arts.  Students can explore this knowledge further through the lens of the core theme ‘Knowledge and the Knower’, as well as optional themes examining knowledge in the context of Language, Technology, Religions, Politics and Indigenous Societies.

Skills developed

Discussion is in the focus of the course and stimuli come from a wide variety of topics. This allows for the development of debating skills, and for appreciation of alternative points of view. Students gradually develop the ability to build complex arguments centred around knowledge issues. They learn how to analyse and critically assess different knowledge systems and through the processes of evaluation and synthesis, gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of these. In order to prepare for the assessment of the ToK course, students will enhance their research skills, as well as writing skills.

An exhibition and an essay selected from titles prescribed by the IB and advised on by ToK staff form the assessment as detailed below:

Assessment

External assessment – 67%

Essay of 1,600 words on a IB Prescribed Title written during  Grade 12 in Term 1. Here are two examples from the 2023 essay titles:

• Is subjectivity overly celebrated in the arts but unfairly condemned in history? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.

• Nothing is more exciting than fresh ideas, so why are areas of knowledge often so slow to adopt them? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Internal assessment – 33%

Exhibit consisting of three objects, or images of these objects,  accompanied by three written commentaries discussing an  IA prompt (of student’s choice). The maximum overall word count for the ToK exhibition (all three commentaries put together) is 950 words. Two examples of IA prompts are:

• What counts as a good justification for a claim?

• How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development?

For more information about the TOK course at UWCSEA Dover,  please click on the link.

Up to three bonus IBDP points are awarded according to the combined standard of a student’s TOK and Extended Essay. TOK and Extended Essay are each awarded a grade from A to E, and bonus points are calculated from the matrix above.

For example, a candidate who achieves grade B for the Extended Essay and grade C for their TOK will be awarded two bonus points. Attaining a grade ‘E’ in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge is considered a ‘failing condition’ and the diploma is not awarded.

University courses and careers

The academic rigour, breadth of topics and level of abstraction that characterise ToK make it a great introductory course for any university study.

Languages available

The school supports students who wish to write their assessment (both the exhibition and the essay) in Spanish or Chinese.