TOK "at a glance"

The theory of knowledge course provides students with an opportunity to explore and reflect on the nature of knowledge and the process of knowing. It is a core element of the DP to which schools are required to devote at least 100 hours of class time. 

The TOK curriculum is made up of three deeply interconnected parts.

• The core theme: knowledge and the knower
• Optional themes: knowledge and technology; knowledge and language; knowledge and politics; knowledge and religion; and knowledge and indigenous societies
• Areas of knowledge: history; the human sciences; the natural sciences; mathematics; and the arts

There are two assessment tasks in the TOK course.

1. The TOK exhibition assesses the ability of the student to show how TOK manifests in the world around us.
2. The TOK essay engages students in a more formal and sustained piece of writing in response to a title focused on the areas of knowledge. 
   
   

• to encourage students to reflect on the central question, “How do we know that?"
• to expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with multiple plausible answers.
• to equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world.
• to encourage students to be more aware of their own perspectives and to reflect critically on their own beliefs.
• to engage students with multiple perspectives, foster open-mindedness and develop intercultural understanding.
• to encourage students to make connections between academic disciplines by exploring underlying concepts.
• to prompt students to consider the importance of values, responsibilities and ethical concerns relating to the production, acquisition, application and communication of knowledge.
  
  
  

• demonstrate TOK thinking through the critical examination of knowledge questions
• identify and explore links between knowledge questions and the world around us
• identify and explore links between knowledge questions and areas of knowledge
• develop relevant, clear and coherent arguments
• use examples and evidence effectively to support a discussion
• demonstrate awareness and evaluation of different points of view
• consider the implications of arguments and conclusions.

As part of TOK, each student chooses one essay title from six issued by IB

Upcoming and past questions include: 

• “To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
•  “'There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a common groundwork of explanation.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?”
• “There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
• “'The task of history is the discovering of the constant and universal principles of human nature.' To what extent are history and one other area of knowledge successful in this task?”

12 Key Concepts

• Certainty
• Culture
• Evidence
• Explanation
• Interpretation
• Justification
• Objectivity
• Perspective
• Power
• Responsibility
• Truth
• Values

Course Outline