IB TOK Homepage

You've arrived on the IB course. You've signed up to a range of subjects. The IB requires that you study a mix of subjects to ensure a broad based pre-university course. You'll all be taking courses in mathematics, literature, science, a social science or humanity, and a language plus your optional choice. That's quite a mix. On top of that, you'll find a TOK class on your timetable.

Hmm, what's that about? Perhaps it is just a cruel way of filling up an already packed schedule. Whatever you may come to think about the subject, that was not the intention. Indeed, TOK is one of the central components of the IB. Completion of the TOK essay and of the presentation is necessary to be awarded the Diploma.

In very broad terms the aim of the TOK course is to get you to reflect upon and critically engage with what we mean by 'knowledge'. The central concern of TOK is to consider the nature, sources, kinds, scope and status of knowledge. In investigating these issues we shall consider the knowledge claims characteristic of a range of domains of enquiry and the methodologies employed and sources required for such claims to be articulated, sustained and challenged. You will be encouraged to identify and explore knowledge issues. That is, to raise questions concerning our understanding of the world, ourselves and others. Some questions which spring to mind include:

• What is knowledge? What justifies a knowledge claim? What kinds of knowledge are there
• How is it that we acquire knowledge?
• Does our capacity to gain knowledge and the nature of what we know vary from subject to subject?
• Is knowing something in mathematics the same as knowing something in art? What are the differences and similarities between knowledge claims in different subjects?
• What is a fact? Are there facts to be known in ethics just as there are in science?
• Should (all) knowledge be valued? What are the responsibilities of knowing? In what sense is knowledge power?
• What is the role of the community in the formation and acquisition of knowledge?

One way to think about the position of TOK within the IB and to see the kinds of topics we shall be considering is provided by the IB's TOK diagram.

Questions: Why do you think the diagram is organised in this way? What does it tell you about TOK? How else might the diagram be organised? Why?

The Course

The formal requirements of TOK are that you submit one essay (40 marks) and undertake a presentation on a subject of your choice (20 marks). The essay is externally assessed. The presentation is internally marked and subject to external moderation.

The essay is chosen from a list of ten titles published by the IBO. The essay must be submitted in the Spring term of your second year. By the beginning of the Spring term you will have covered a sufficient range of material and written essays to enable you to prepare a final essay for submission. The essay is written in your own time, not under examination conditions. Even at this very early stage, please note that an essay will not be accepted after the deadline for submission.

Your final presentation will take place towards the end of the Spring term in the second year.

TOK and the Extended Essay

In addition to your six subjects and TOK, you must also write an extended essay. This will be on a topic from one of your subjects - or occasionally from a subject you are not studying. For both TOK and the extended essay you will receive a grade of A-E. The combination of the TOK and extended essay marks determines the number of 'additional' points you will be awarded (0-3). Please do not underestimate the significance of these points.

Classes and work

There is one TOK class a week. Expect homework to be set on a regular basis. Because TOK emphasises your reflection on the nature of and connections between subjects, you may be asked to make notes or keep a journal of your thoughts on these issues. Even if your teacher does not ask to see this, do make sure you do make the notes. They will ultimately contribute to your essay and presentation having a voice that is distinctively your own.

As well as the class, there will be times in the week when each of the TOK teachers is available for a TOK workshop. You can arrange to see a teacher then or a teacher may ask to discuss something with you.

TOK and Philosophy

TOK is not a straight philosophy course, although it is taught by the philosophy department. You are not expected to approach its questions as if they were questions in a philosophy examination. It does, though, invite a broadly philosophical approach and addresses throughout themes which are philosophical in nature. Reflective, critically engaged and clear thinking on fundamental issues is what TOK strives to encourage. Essays and presentations that manifest these virtues will be good ones.

Resources and Textbooks

Your teachers will provide you with handouts and readings. You will of course also find material here on the website. Do take a look at The Richmond Journal of Philosophy (you can also access it from any page via the picture in the left-hand menu bar).

We do not teach from a set text. However, we do strongly recommend that you have access to one of the following TOK books. You will find it helpful to have a different voice and perspective from that of your teacher to consult. A textbook is a good way to begin to explore the issues independently.

Nicholas Alchin, Theory of Knowledge (John Murray, 2003) ISBN 0 7195 78663

Richard van den Lagemaat, Theory of Knowledge for the IB Diploma (Cambridge University Press, 2005) ISBN 978 0 521 54298 2.

Now, let's begin. Click below to move to the main resources page.

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