CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12]

Scheme of Work for I and II yr Theory of Knowledge

IBDP TOK Coordinator: M. Parameshwaran
Primary reference books: Theory of Knowledge (2nd 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/ Topics Specific Instructional Objectives Suggested Activities

Week
TERM An Introduction Students will be able to :
1 To Theory of Understand and explain the role of TOK in IBDP program Complete the slam-sheet provided.
WEEK Knowledge Explain the purpose of studying TOK Make at least one journal entry in the TOK journal.
1-2 --What Is TOK?
--Why study
TOK?
--TOK’s place in
the IBDP Program
--TOK
Assessments

WK 3- What are we Students will be able to :

4 trying to do? *Understand that, perhaps contrary to what they have so far found in Write at least ten sentences using the expression, “I know”
--General their formal education, certainty and truth are not easily found
introduction to *Recognise that there are many dubious pieces of ‘knowledge’ available Read the extract provided under resource file on page 12-13 of
the TOK and that even the word of a world authority is no guarantee of truth the text book and answer the questions given at the end.
Framework *Understand that ‘certainty’ is a matter of degree and that some
advocated by opinions are better than others
IBO. *Give at least an initial definition of ‘knowledge’ and distinguish
--The role of between ‘knowledge’ and ‘belief’
WoKs in our day- *Discuss how these different reasons relate to the standard academic
to-day life subjects.
situations.
--Sense
perception—its
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 CATHEDRAL VIDYA SCHOOL [ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-12]
limits and
strengths.
WK 4- Empiricism: the Students will be able to:
5-6-7 use of the senses Notice, in everyday life, those times when their senses are not reliable To watch the movie “The Matrix” and complete the
Understand why perception is an active not a passive process, and the worksheet.
implications this has for our view of the world
Become aware of the often unnoticed role that reason plays in Make a presentation for 10 minutes on any topic. Must use
interpreting our sensory information the TOK elements in it.
Discuss the basic philosophical problems with empirical knowledge
Discuss the meaning of the phrase ‘the mental construction of reality’.
Wk 8- Rationalism: the Students will be able to:
9-10- use of reason Understand that the use of reason is a way to extend our knowledge To watch the movie “The Sixth Sense” and analyse why should
11 from known facts we be considerate to people who have “differently-abled”
Distinguish between inductive and deductive arguments- in both cases perception of reality.
to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments
Understand the premises/conclusion nature of an argument
Understand the relationship between a valid argument and a true Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 96-97
conclusion of the text book and answer the questions given at the end
Identify the elementary fallacies
Apply these ideas to everyday examples
Wk Truth and Students will be able to:
12-13- relativism Understand that ‘truth’ is a complex and problematic term
14 Review the way we have used the term ‘truth’ To analyse how the expression “truth” is understood in
Understand the possible analytic/synthetic distinction different AoKs using a real-life example.
Appreciate some of the logical issues raised by the consideration of
‘truth’ Answer all the questions given in the chapter 15 of the text
Understand the nature of, and problems with, the correspondence, book.
coherence and pragmatic theories of truth
Appreciate the appeal and problems of relativism

Wk First Comprehensive examination

15-16- Christmas Vacation TOK Practice Oral Presentations
17

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Wk The natural Students will be able to:
18-19 sciences Understand what elements are often said to make 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 the term
‘pseudo-science’
Discuss the interplay between science and other areas, such as the arts
and religion
Term The nature, Students will be able to:
2 objective and Understand how the human sciences differ from and resemble other
Wk subject matter of areas of knowledge, especially the natural sciences
20-21 “The human Understand the role played by reasoning in the human sciences Extracts from the Ernst Nagel’s book The Structure of Science
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
- Role of Woks Understand some of the underlying dilemmas in dealing with humans, Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 182-
-Role of other such as the issues of free will, reductionism and the nature/nurture 186 of the text book and answer the questions given at the
AoKs debate. end

Wk Feelings, Students will be able to :

22-23- emotions and Offer various ways of defining and characterising emotions and feelings
24 intuition Discuss the relationships between emotions and physical signs of Article on Emotional Intelligence to be analysed.
emotions
Comment on both traditional and modern views of the interplay
between emotion and reason Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 121-
Understand what we mean by the feeling of intuition 123 of the text book and analyse it.
Understand the role of qualia in our emotional experiences

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Wk Language Students will be able to:
25-26 Appreciate that language is an incredibly rich and complex thing, and
that it can be non-spoken
Appreciate the distinction between language as a neutral, transparent The article published in NewYork Times to be used as a prop to
tool for communication and language as a value-laden system of discuss the influence of language on our thinking.
persuasion and implication
Understand that language may not map perfectly to the ‘real world’ and Analyse the extracts provided under resource file on pages
that this can mask a poor understanding of the ‘real world’. 266- 269 and pages 289-293 of the text book.
Understand the arguments for an against the position that language can
affect thought
Appreciate the subtleties and difficulties associated with the concept of
‘meaning’.

Wk The arts: Student will be able to :

27-28 different types of Appreciate possible definitions and descriptions of the central Extract from Malcolm Gladwell’s book The Tipping Point to be
arts like cinema, characteristics of the arts used to analyse what is a true art?
drama, painting, Defend what she/he thinks as the standards of artistic judgement
dance, music and Understand how the arts fit into the human experience
its influence on Discuss the possible status of artistic knowledge, as opposed to other Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 46-47
our knowledge forms of knowledge of the text book and answer the questions given at the end
acquisition. Appreciate various theories of the role of truth in the context of the arts.

Wk Students will be able to:

29-30- Issues in ethics: Appreciate the meaning of the concept of ‘Ethics’
31-32- -Euthanasia Understand the traditional role of reasoning in ethics Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 151-
33 -Theories of Understand the strengths and weaknesses of some common approaches 155 of the text book and answer the questions given at the
ethics to ethics end
-Real life issues Understand the possible role(s) of emotion in ethics
-Ethical dilemma Understand the inherent limitations of theory in determining action
Wk 34 History Students will be able to:
Understand the distinction between history and historiography Extracts from IGCSE History Text book to be analysed.
Understand the nature of and problems posed by historical facts
Appreciate the roles of bias and selection in the historical process Read the extracts provided under resource file on pages 202-
Appreciate the difficulties associated with the concepts of historical 209 of the text book and analyse the extracts.
causation

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Understand that, despite the problems, historical judgements are
subject to the standard criteria of plausibility (consistency, coherency,
etc.)- history can at least approach truth
Wk Paradigm and Students will be able to:
35-36 culture 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 255-
and 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

Wk
36-37- Second Comprehensive examinations TOK I Mock Oral Presentation
38
Wk Tips on writing a good essay and doing a good oral presentation. Analyzing the exemplar essays. Submission of write-ups on any
39-40 Analysing the exemplar essays by the students and later by the teacher. three chosen topics.
Wk
41- Summer Vacation
42-43-
44
WK
45-46- Bridging Program for new students
47
Wk Mathematics Students will be able to:
48- Understand the axiom-theorem structure of mathematics Worksheet on Vedic Mathematics to be completed
49- 50 Understand the implications of this structure for mathematical truth Read the extract provided under resource file on pages 69-72
Understand the role of logic in mathematics and the link to rationalism and p-73 of the text book and answer the questions given at
Discuss possible links between mathematics, science, art and language the end
Understand why mathematics may be regarded as an extremely creative
discipline
Wk Religion Students will be able to:
51-52 Appreciate the different approaches that are possible to religious
questions Answer the questions given on pages 330 and 331 and analyse
Understand some of the arguments for and against the existence of God, the extract provided under resource file on pages 333 of the

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 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 Assessment Students will be able to:

53-54 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.

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