Teacher: Ms. Kate Doak

Email: kdoak@westlakeacademy.org

Classroom: Portable 10

Course Overview

Welcome to the Diploma Program and to the Theory of Knowledge. Together we will explore the concept of knowledge and our roles as knowers through a variety of activities and exercises, all directed towards answering the question, “how do we know what we know?” 

Unlike your other DP courses, TOK is less focused on mastering  knowledge itself, and is more concerned with understanding how that knowledge is created, spread, and used in the 5 Areas of Knowledge (AOKS): Natural Sciences, Human Sciences, History, Art, and Mathematics.

Our work in the next 2 semesters will also prepare students for 2 assessments:

1. The Exhibition, which is a 950-word exploration of how the Theory of Knowledge manifests in the real world. In the spring, students will choose 3 objects through which they will discuss one of 35 prompts provided by the IB. More information about the the Exhibition can be found in ManageBac. We will also discuss the Exhibition at length during class in the second semester of the course. The Exhibition serves as the internal assessment (IA) for TOK.

2. The Extended Essay (EE), which is a 4,000-word research project that students begin during their junior year and complete in the fall of senior year. While not technically one of the TOK assessments, the EE will be incorporated into the TOK course, providing students structured and guided time to work towards completing their EE. More information about the EE can be found in ManageBac. We will also further discuss the requirements and expectations fo the EE during class.

Course Materials

There is no official textbook for our TOK course. Instead, required readings and other materials will be posted to ManageBac and the TOK Google site. It is thus necessary for you to bring your iPad to every class, fully charged.

Assessment

Formative Assessment (40%)

Summative Assessment (60%)

While there are no exams in TOK, students are expected to complete a variety of assessments to the best of their ability throughout the course. Many of the assessments, both formative and summative, will require students to read diverse texts and write in an academic style. Students will also be required to present some of their work. A schedule of assessments will be posted to ManageBac each quarter, but this schedule is subject to change based on the shifting needs of the class. 

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity at all times and will follow the academic honesty and honor code policies outlined in the Westlake Academy Parent/Student Handbook.

Late Work

This late policy applies to all Diploma Program courses. More information about this policy can be found in the Westlake Academy Parent/Student Handbook.

Tutoring

I want you to have the tools and support that you need in order to be successful. As such, it is important that you raise questions or concerns with me as quickly as possible! You are of course welcome to do so during class or over email and can schedule tutoring appointments for extra help through my Google Calendar. I will be available on campus after school until 3:30 each day unless otherwise noted.

Social and emotional support

I want to make sure that in addition to being supported academically, your social and emotional health is supported. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our counselor, Lisa Phillips (lphillips@westlakeacademy.org) if you need help and advice.

I very much look forward to working with you all this year!

Good luck!

Ms. Doak, August 2022

Day 1: Introductions

• Lesson Objective: We're getting to know each other!

• Homework: Your Intellectual Autobiography

Day 2: What is TOK?

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to describe the central components of TOK, including the Knowledge Framework (KF), the core and optional themes, the Areas of Knowledge (AOKs), and the TOK assessments. 

• Homework: What are you certain about?

Day 3: Knowledge and the Knower

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to discuss their role as knowers in the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge.

• Homework: None

Day 4: Knowledge Questions

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to distinguish between first and second order knowledge questions; write second order knowledge questions.

• Homework: 

Day 5: The TOK Journal

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to write a TOK journal entry.

• Homework: Unit 1 Journal Entry

Day 1: Scope of the Natural Sciences

• Lesson objective: Students will be able to discuss and analyze the boundaries of the Natural Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 2: Perspectives in the Natural Sciences (1/2)

• Lesson Objective:

• Homework:

Day 3: Perspectives in the Natural Sciences (2/2)

• Lesson Objectives:

• Homework:

Day 4: Methods and Tools in the Natural Sciences

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the methods and tools used to create knowledge in the Natural Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 5: Ethics in the Natural Sciences

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to engage with questions about the ethical creation and use of knowledge in the Natural Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 6: Begin Unit 2 Journal Entry

• Lesson Objective: Students will work on their second journal entry and will prepare to present the following class period.

• Homework: Finish your Unit 2 journal entry and prepare a brief presentation.

Day 7: Unit 2 Journal Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the Theory of Knowledge to the Natural Sciences through a brief presentation to their classmates.

Day 1: Scope of the Human Sciences

• Lesson objective: Students will be able to discuss and analyze the boundaries of the Human Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 2: Perspectives in the Human Sciences 

• Lesson Objective:

• Homework:

Day 3: Methods and Tools in the Human Sciences (1/2)

• Lesson Objectives:

• Homework:

Day 4: Methods and Tools in the Natural Sciences (2/2)

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the methods and tools used to create knowledge in the Human Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 5: Ethics in the Human Sciences

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to engage with questions about the ethical creation and use of knowledge in the Human Sciences.

• Homework:

Day 6: Pseudoscience - What is it and why should I care?

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to explain the meaning of "pseudoscience" ; evaluate the reliability of a discipline and determine whether it is a pseudoscience.

• Homework: Identify a pseudoscience of interest

Day 7: Begin Unit 3 Journal

• Lesson Objective: Students will work on their third journal entry and will prepare to present the following class period.

• Homework: Finish your Unit 3 journal entry and prepare a brief presentation.

Day 8: Unit 3 Journal Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the Theory of Knowledge to the Human Sciences through a brief presentation to their classmates.

Day 1: An introduction to research/Citations

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to navigate databases and other resources provided by Westlake academy ; correctly cite a variety of source types in MLA format without the use of a citation builder.

• Homework: Citation Activity

Day 2: The EE and the Sciences/Mathematics

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to describe the requirements for an EE in a subject in the Sciences/Mathematics ; evaluate sources in the Sciences/Mathematics ; navigate the common challenges of an EE in the Sciences/Mathematics.

• Homework: Topic activity - Sciences/Mathematics

Day 3: The EE and Individuals and Societies

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to describe the requirements for an EE in a subject in Individuals and Societies ; evaluate sources in the Individuals and Societies ; navigate the common challenges of an EE in Individuals and Societies.

• Homework: Topic activity - Individuals and Societies

Day 4: The EE and Studies in Lang. and Lit./Lang. Acquisition/The Arts

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to describe the requirements for an EE in a subject in the Studies in Lang. and Lit./Lang. Acquisition/The Arts ; evaluate sources in the Studies in Lang. and Lit./Lang. Acquisition/The Arts ; navigate the common challenges of an EE in Studies in Lang. and Lit./Lang. Acquisition/The Arts.

• Homework: Topic activity - Studies in Lang. and Lit./Lang. Acquisition/The Arts

Day 5: Group Research Activity #1

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to develop a narrow research topic ; complete preliminary research about a narrow topic ; write a focused research question ; evaluate sources/evidence ; effectively communicate ideas to their peers.

Day 6: Group Research Activity #2

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to develop a narrow research topic ; complete preliminary research about a narrow topic ; write a focused research question ; evaluate sources/evidence ; effectively communicate ideas to their peers.

Day 7: Individual Research Activity (1/5)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to independently develop a narrow research topic ; independently complete preliminary research

• Homework: Your initial research question 

Day 8: Individual Research Activity (2/5)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to independently develop a focused research question ; independently conduct research related to their research question ; independently evaluate sources.

• Homework: Continue your research 

Day 9: Individual Research Activity (3/5)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to structure a formal research proposal, including their research question, the importance of their research, their methods, and their research/sources 

• Homework: Research proposal

Day 10: Individual Research Activity (4/5)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to communicate their research proposal to their peers ; evaluate the research proposal of their peers

• Homework: Complete/Revise your research proposal

Day 11: Individual Research Activity (5/5)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to present their research proposal ; answer questions about their research proposal

Day 12: Your Extended Essay (1/6)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to identify a unique topic of interest ; begin the early stages of research.

• Homework: Read your sources and identify your EE subject.

Day 13: Your Extended Essay (2/6)

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to develop a research question ; extend their research ; evaluate the usefulness of sources for their research question.

• Homework: Annotated Bibliography

Day 14: Your Extended Essay (3/6)

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to communicate their ideas and research into a formal research proposal

• Homework: Prepare to present your research proposal

Day 15: Your Extended Essay (4/6) - Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate their ideas to their peers.

• Homework: Finish your written research proposal.

Day 16: Your Extended Essay (5/6) - Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate their ideas to their peers.

• Homework: Finish your written research proposal.

Day 1: Scope of History

• Lesson objective: Students will be able to discuss and analyze the boundaries of History.

• Homework:

Day 2: Perspectives in History

• Lesson Objective:

• Homework:

Day 3: Methods and Tools in History

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the methods and tools used to create knowledge in History.

• Homework:

Day 4: Ethics in History

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to engage with questions about the ethical creation and use of knowledge in History.

• Homework:

Day 5: Maps - What are they good for?

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to evaluate the reliability and uses or different types of maps ; discuss ways that bias (and perspective) can influence resources.

• Homework: Read one of the provided primary sources.

Day 6: Begin Unit 5 Journal

• Lesson Objective: Students will work on their third journal entry and will prepare to present the following class period.

• Homework: Finish your Unit 5 journal and prepare a brief presentation.

Day 7: Unit 5 Journal Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the Theory of Knowledge to History through a brief presentation to their classmates.

Day 1: Scope of Mathematics

• Lesson objective: Students will be able to discuss and analyze the boundaries of Mathematics

• Homework:

Day 2: Perspectives in Mathematics

• Lesson Objective:

• Homework:

Day 3: Methods and Tools in Mathematics

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the methods and tools used to create knowledge in Mathematics.

• Homework:

Day 4: Ethics in Mathematics

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to engage with questions about the ethical creation and use of knowledge in Mathematics.

• Homework:

Day 5: 

• Lesson Objectives:

• Homework: 

Day 6: Begin Unit 5 Journal

• Lesson Objective: Students will work on their third journal entry and will prepare to present the following class period.

• Homework: Finish your Unit 5 journal and prepare a brief presentation.

Day 7: Unit 5 Journal Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the Theory of Knowledge to Mathematics through a brief presentation to their classmates.

Day 1: Scope of the Arts

• Lesson objective: Students will be able to discuss and analyze the boundaries of the Arts.

• Homework:

Day 2: Perspectives in the Arts

• Lesson Objective:

• Homework:

Day 3: Methods and Tools in the Arts

• Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the methods and tools used to create knowledge in the Arts.

• Homework:

Day 4: Ethics in the Arts

• Lesson Objective: Students will be able to engage with questions about the ethical creation and use of knowledge in the Arts.

• Homework:

Day 5: 

• Lesson Objectives:

• Homework: 

Day 6: Begin Unit 5 Journal

• Lesson Objective: Students will work on their third journal entry and will prepare to present the following class period.

• Homework: Finish your Unit 5 journal and prepare a brief presentation.

Day 7: Unit 5 Journal Presentations

• Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate their ability to apply the Theory of Knowledge to the Arts through a brief presentation to their classmates.