THE CORETheory of KnowledgeTheory of Knowledge is a central element of the IB inwhich we ask fundamental questions about the nature ofknowledge and its relationship to the subject areas of theDiploma. Its principal aim is to explore the main categoriesof knowledge with special reference to the various problemsthat students encounter in their everyday learning.•6What is the basis for our understanding of the world andour beliefs?•How do individual beliefs relate to the subjects we study?•What status should we give to scienti昀椀c knowledge ascompared to artistic or literary knowledge?•What is the in昀氀uence of society and culture on what wethink we know and believe?•What problems of bias does our own experience present?•How does language in昀氀uence our experience and ideasof truth?•What problems of communication does languagepresent?•What is the relationship between perception andquestions of “reality”?•How does maths relate to the world?•Is it possible to have emotional truths?•How is knowledge acquired and justi昀椀ed and how mightthis di昀昀er across subject areas?Students will acquire a set of critical and conceptual tools toenable them to re昀氀ect upon the many connections betweendi昀昀erent parts of the IB programme. The course takes as itscontent the academic, cultural and individual interests of students.By applying ToK tools, (which will be of vital and continuing valueas you progress through your courses), insights into knowledgeissues will blossom in your beautiful minds. You will be stimulatedto develop as questioning thinkers, who are empowered toexplore the knowledge claims of others with a discerning skill.Assessment is by coursework:1. An exhibition of three chosen objects and a 950 worddescription of how these objects link to knowledge issues;completed in the summer term of Yr1. A collaboration with SussexUniversity Anthropology Dept will introduce this assignment.2. A 1,600 word essay from a choice of six essay titles; completedin the Spring Term of Yr2. The 2024 titles included: 'Is subjectivityoverly celebrated in the arts but unfairly condemned in history?Discuss with reference to the arts and history'. As well as 'Howcan we reconcile the opposing demands for specialization andgeneralization in the production of knowledge? Discuss withreference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge'.The essay is worth 2/3 of your ToK grade and is marked by the IBwhilst the exhibition is worth 1/3 and is marked by your teachersand then externally moderated by the IB.
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