ToK SoW

CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12]

Scheme of Work for I and II yr Theory of Knowledge IBDP TOK Coordinator: M. Parameshwaran nd

Primary reference books: Theory of Knowledge (2 Edition)-Nicholas Alchin (Hodder Murray: 2006) Secondary reference books:

1. Theory of Knowledge- Course Companion- Eileen, Lena and Mimi (Oxford: 2007) 2. Ways of knowing-Michael Woolman. Victoria: IBID Press, 2010

Term/ Week TERM 1 WEEK 1-2

WK 34

Topics

Specific Instructional Objectives

An Introduction To Theory of Knowledge --What Is TOK? --Why study TOK? --TOK’s place in the IBDP Program --TOK Assessments

Students will be able to : Understand and explain the role of TOK in IBDP program Explain the purpose of studying TOK

What are we trying to do? --General introduction to the TOK Framework advocated by IBO. --The role of WoKs in our dayto-day life situations. --Sense perception—its

Students will be able to : *Understand that, perhaps contrary to what they have so far found in their formal education, certainty and truth are not easily found *Recognise that there are many dubious pieces of ‘knowledge’ available and that even the word of a world authority is no guarantee of truth *Understand that ‘certainty’ is a matter of degree and that some opinions are better than others *Give at least an initial definition of ‘knowledge’ and distinguish between ‘knowledge’ and ‘belief’ *Discuss how these different reasons relate to t he standard academic subjects.

MParmesh/CVSL/TK/SoW

Suggested Activities

Complete the slam-sheet provided. Make at least one journal entry in the TOK journal.

Write at least ten sentences using the expression, “I know” Read the extract provided under resource file on page 12-13 of the text book and answer the questions given at the end.

CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12]

WK 45-6-7

Wk 89-1011

Wk 12-1314

limits and strengths. Empiricism: the use of the senses

Rationalism: the use of reason

Truth and relativism

Wk 15-1617


Students will be able to: Notice, in everyday life, those times when their senses are not reliable Understand why perception is an active not a passive process, and the implications this has for our view of the world Become aware of the often unnoticed role that reason plays in interpreting our sensory information Discuss the basic philosophical problems with empirical knowledge Discuss the meaning of the phrase ‘the mental construction of reality’. Students will be able to: Understand that the use of reason is a way to extend our knowledge from known facts Distinguish between inductive and deductive arguments- in both cases to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of t he arguments Understand the premises/conclusion nature of an ar gument Understand the relationship between a valid argument and a true conclusion Identify the elementary fallacies Apply these ideas to everyday examples Students will be able to: Understand that ‘truth’ is a complex and problematic term Review the way we have used the term ‘truth’ Understand the possible analytic/synthetic distinction Appreciate some of the logical issues raised by the consideration of ‘truth’ Understand the nature of, and problems with, the correspondence, coherence and pragmatic theories of truth Appreciate the appeal and problems of relativism

First Comprehensive examination Christmas Vacation

To watch the movie “The Matrix” and complete the worksheet. Make a presentation for 10 minutes on any topic. Must use the TOK elements in it.

To watch the movie “The Sixth Sense” and analyse why should we be considerate to people who have “differently-abled” perception of reality.

Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 96-97 of the text book and answer the questions given at the end

To analyse how the expression “truth” is understood in different AoKs using a real-life example. Answer all the questions given in the chapter 15 of the text book.

TOK Practice Oral Presentations

Wk 18-19

Term 2 Wk 20-21

Wk 22-2324

CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12] Students will be able to: Understand what elements are often said to m ake up the classical scientific method (with examples, preferably some of their own) Recognise the limits and problems of the classical scientific method and appreciate that the growth of scientific knowledge is a complex Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 28-29 phenomenon that cannot be rigidly defined of the text book and answer the questions given at the end Know what makes a claim a scientific claim and the meaning of t he term ‘pseudo-science’ Discuss the interplay between science and other areas, such as the arts and religion The nature, Students will be able to: objective and Understand how the human sciences differ from and resemble other subject matter of areas of knowledge, especially the natural sciences Understand the role played by reasoning in the human sciences Extracts from the Ernst Nagel’s book The Structure of Science “The human sciences”. Understand some of the experimental issues which arises in the human to be used as a prop for analysing the problem in the structure -Is there any sciences of human and natural sciences. difference Understand the position of ethics within the context of the human between them? sciences -Knowledge Appreciate the difficulties with concepts such as explanation and cause issues and effect in the humanities Understand some of the underlying dilemmas in dealing with humans, Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 182- Role of Woks such as the issues of free will, reductionism and the nature/nurture 186 of the text book and answer the questions given at the -Role of other AoKs debate. end

The natural sciences

Feelings, emotions and intuition


Students will be able to : Offer various ways of defining and characterising emotions and feelings Discuss the relationships between emotions and physical signs of emotions Comment on both traditional and modern views of the interplay between emotion and reason Understand what we mean by the feeling of intuition Understand the role of qualia in our emotional experiences

Article on Emotional Intelligence to be analysed.

Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 121123 of the text book and analyse it.

Wk 35-36

Wk 36-3738 Wk 39-40 Wk 4142-4344 WK 45-4647 Wk 4849- 50

Wk 51-52

Paradigm and culture

CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12] Understand that, despite the problems, historical judgements are subject to the standard criteria of plausibility (consistency, coherency, etc.)- history can at least approach truth Students will be able to: Understand the meaning of the term ‘paradigm’ and recognize how Read the article on Karl Popper and comment on that. paradigms shape our reason and our perception Understand why paradigms naturally and inevitably affect both rational Read the extracts provided under resource file on pages 255and empirical approaches to knowledge 260 of the text book and analyse them. Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of holding a paradigm Give and discuss examples of paradigms at several levels (the ‘grand’ paradigms and the ‘everyday’ paradigms) Appreciate the role of culture as an important paradigm

Second Comprehensive examinations Tips on writing a good essay and doing a goo d oral presentation. Analysing the exemplar essays by the students and later by the teacher.

TOK I Mock Oral Presentation Analyzing the exemplar essays. Submission of write-ups on any three chosen topics.

Summer Vacation

Bridging Program for new students

Mathematics

Religion


Students will be able to: Understand the axiom-theorem structure of mathematics Understand the implications of this structure for mathematical truth Understand the role of logic in mathematics and the link to rationalism Discuss possible links between mathematics, science, art and language Understand why mathematics may be regarded as an extremely creative discipline Students will be able to: Appreciate the different approaches that are possible to religious questions Understand some of the arguments for and against the existence of God,

Worksheet on Vedic Mathematics to be completed Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 69-72 and p-73 of the text book and answer the questions given at the end

Answer the questions given on pages 330 and 331 and analyse the extract provided under resource file on pages 333 of the

CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12] and have some insight into the debate which is generated by competing text book. claims Understand the role of faith and belief in the context of religious knowledge Justify a personal position on the question of the existence of God. Wk 53-54

Assessment

Students will be able to: Write an essay and mark them based on the four-point assessment criteria Make a presentation for 10 minutes involving some Areas of Knowledge and Ways of Knowing, identifying the Knowledge-issues involved in the chosen topic.

Oral Presentation for ten minutes in front of the class. Essay draft for 1200-1600 words in the prescribed format type-written to be submitted to the TOK Coordinator.

* The Scheme of Work is tentative and subject to change based on the other activities of the school and unexpected holidays.


ToK SoW

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