EE, ToK, WLs, History, science reports, . . Research

is disciplined inquiry, which yields knowledge claims, which are made, defended, supported, and

justified in the light of counter-arguments.

Argument: a series of propositions that support a conclusion/claim.

Academic honesty

All I.B. candidates must understand the meaning and significance of concepts relating to academic honesty, esp. authenticity and intellectual property.

Authentic work: Is work based on the candidate’s individual and original ideas with the work of others fully acknowledged. Therefore, all assignments, written or oral, completed by a candidate for assessment must wholly use that candidate’s own language and expression. Where sources are used or referred to, whether in the form of direct quote or paraphrase, such sources must be fully and appropriately acknowledged.

Intellectual property: Intellectual and creative expression (eg, works of literature, art, music) must be respected and are normally protected by law.

The ToK essay

Select a title from the listDo not modify it!Brainstorm argument, incl. knldge issue, suitably related woks,Include your own stance!

ToK Prescribed TitlesNovember 2009 and May 2010 1. To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts and ethics?

2. Examine the ways empirical evidence should be used to make progress in different areas of knowledge.

3. Discuss the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in supporting knowledge claims in the human sciences and at least one other area of knowledge.

4. How can the different ways of knowing help us to distinguish between something that is true and something that is believed to be true?

5. “What separates science from all other human activities is its belief in the provisional nature of all conclusions” (Michael Shermer, www.edge.com). Critically evaluate this way of distinguishing the sciences from other areas of knowledge.

6. All knowledge claims should be open to rational criticism. On what grounds and to what extent would you agree with this assertion?

7. “We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.” Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.

8. “People need to believe that order can be glimpsed in the chaos of events” (adapted from John Gray, Heresies, 2004). In what ways and to what extent would you say this claim is relevant in at least two areas of knowledge?

9. Discuss the claim that some areas of knowledge are discovered and others are invented.

10. What similarities and differences are there between historical and scientific explanations?

AoKs & WoKs in ToK:

The assessment criteria

A. Understanding knowledge issues

How we search for, produce, shape, accept knowledge . . relevant to the title.

Make links between areas of knowledge & ways of knowing

B. Knower’s perspective

Connect kn. issues relevant to the title to your own experiences.

Your own perspective as a knower, wrt academic, philosophical, cultural, age, gender, etc

Your own approach (involve yourself!), and conclude with your stance on the question.

C. Quality of analysis of knowledge issues

Main points justified? Counter-claims considered? Are the implications and underlying

assumptions of your argument identified?

(i.e., be clear: “my argument is . . )

D. Organisation of ideas

Well-organised: Intro. (personal, identify kn. issues, preview your argument)

Body of the argument, incl. counter-arguments,

Conclusion.

Where facts are presented, are they properly referenced?

Meet 1200-1600 word requirement?

Refer to sources of claims you make through the essay . .

. . but not for all claims!

Refer to Sources

* If you quote a sentence/phrase

. . . commented, “the division of the perceived universes into parts . . . is convenient and may be necessary, but no necessity

determines how it shall be done” (Bateson, 1979, p. 17).

* If you refer to an author’s ideas, and write them in your own words (Bateson, 1979)

List References at the back!

Bateson, G. (1979). Mind and nature: A necessary unity. New York: E.P. Dutton.

www.whateversite.com, section ‘good ideas’: Accessed 7 July 2007.

www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Documentation.html (good suggestions for referencing)

Malpractice

Dear Diploma Programme coordinator I must bring to your attention a case of possible

malpractice by the candidate below. May 2008 Examination session: D 0858- Candidate Name: Subject/component: This suspicion of malpractice is based on a

comparison between the candidate's work and text on the following web site(s): (the one below is fake)

www.theibischeckingyou.com

Bonus points: EE & ToK