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Theory of Knowledge

6th Form

Course Description

It is often said that we are living through a digital revolution. Every day we are bombarded with a vast amount of information and it is increasingly easy to acquire new knowledge quickly.

Theory of Knowledge is a unique part of the Diploma Programme and one of its three core elements. It gives students the opportunity to think critically about knowledge, to make sense of the huge amounts of information they encounter and to challenge the assumptions behind knowledge. In other words, students will frequently ask themselves, "How do I know that…?"

Theory of Knowledge is different to other academic disciplines. It places the student at the centre of the course and encourages students to draw on all their experiences of life and the knowledge they have acquired throughout their life in school and outside. It enables students to link together knowledge from their different Diploma Programme subjects, their CAS activities and their extended essay research.

Students will examine the different ways of knowing, for example knowing through language or reason. They will then examine the similarities and differences between different areas of knowledge such as historical knowledge versus mathematical knowledge. Students will be encouraged to develop and share their own views of knowledge issues that can be almost endless in scope.

 

Course Content

Knowledge Issues and Knowing

Students will examine the nature of knowing. They may consider why in English there is only one word to "know" but in French and Spanish there are two. Or what is the difference between knowing a person and knowing about a person? Students will look at how knowledge is gained and how the validity of knowledge can be tested.

Ways of Knowing

Students will consider the different ways that we can know things and will focus on the areas of Sense Perception, Language, Reason and Emotion

Areas of Knowledge

Students will look at how knowledge is frequently classified into different subject areas.

They will be encouraged to test knowledge in different areas and consider how knowledge in different areas may be tested in different ways. The areas of knowledge include Natural Sciences, Human Sciences, History, The Arts, Mathematics and Ethics

 

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a written essay (1,200 - 1,600 words) chosen from a list of 10 titles set by the International Baccalaureate Organisation and a presentation of approximately 10 minutes