TOK

What is TOK?

TOK stands for Theory of Knowledge and is a core course of the IB Diploma program. No matter what other classes you choose to study, all IB students must take a TOK class. TOK is similar to epistemology, in that it centers around "knowledge issues." Knowledge issues are the concerns we have about the justifications and validity for our claims to knowledge.

Why is it so different from my other classes?

I hear from some students that TOK is too hard, or too different from other classes. It doesn't seem to make sesnse at first. Indeed, TOK is different because it's focus is not on learning any specific type of information or even a method specific to any given subject; rather the aim of TOK is to learn to better analyze knowledge claims in general, learn how these differ according to each area of knowledge, and find ways to evaluate how good the arguments are in each case. Ideally, this class should help you learn how to think better.

How do I get a good grade?

Participation, thougtful reflection, personal judgement, and hard work. In many ways, what is required in TOK is not any different from any other class.

How do I make a good presentation?

How do I write a external assessment paper?