Theory of knowledge (TOK) plays a special role in the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP), by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
It is one of the components of the DP core and is mandatory for all students. The TOK requirement is central to the educational philosophy of the DP.
How is TOK structured?
How is TOK structured?
As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions.
The most central of these is "How do we know?", while other questions include:
What counts as evidence for X?
How do we judge which is the best model of Y?
What does theory Z mean in the real world?
Through discussions of these and other questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
RQ: To what extent do shifts in our understanding of morality, combined with historical context, influence the way we view violence and oppression?
RQ: To what extent do shifts in our understanding of morality, combined with historical context, influence the way we view violence and oppression?
The way we view social justice is heavily influenced by where we come from and how history has treated our ancestors. We build standpoints based on historical patterns and our own moral values.
Discussion on Morality and Society
To what extent do outside morals influence our personal knowledge?
Our culture, experiences, and perspectives can shape our morals. Societies that adopted morals thrived and survived, but morality is a social construct. In the end, we all have the personal choice to dictate our own moral evolution.
Topic: The Effect of Media on our Perception - The Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding Scandal
Topic: The Effect of Media on our Perception - The Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding Scandal
Abstract: This presentation seeked to explore how the media can warp an audience’s perspective of an event. The real life situation that was utilized was the scandal between two rival figure skaters - Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. This event has a lot of media coverage, which resulted in the formation of multiple points of views. Knowledge claims and counterclaims were deduced to effectively investigate the media’s effect of perception with the utilization of several areas of knowledge (Ethics, History, The Arts) and ways of knowing (Language, Reason, Emotion).
Subject: Environmental Systems and Societies
Topic: Poaching Prevention
Question: How can South Africa most efficiently combat its rhinoceros poaching issue?
Question: How can South Africa most efficiently combat its rhinoceros poaching issue?
Thesis: The focus of this essay, Kruger National Park, faces a continuous poaching problem which has been impacting the population of black and white rhinoceros, both of which are endangered species. To best combat this continuous poaching problem, Kruger National Park must step outside its comfort zone and look towards newer methods of prevention. Utilizing a community-technology based approach creates the most promising future for the rhinoceroses.
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