TOK Journal
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011
What do you need to do?
You are required to keep a journal where you record references
to what you hear and discuss in class that deals with the
problems of knowing.
•
You will need to buy your own journal
•
Each journal entry must always:
•
You are required to complete a minimum of one entry per week
(examples of acceptable and non acceptable journals given).
– be dated
– have a subject heading
– contain your thoughts – a dialogue with yourself where you question the world and
propose your own insights into how and why of things.
– clearly show a problem of knowing
– clearly explain the connection and relevance to ToK
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011
What should be in your journal?
•
Your journal will contain your thoughts and reflections on the
problems of knowing.
•
If you read a book, newspaper article, magazine article, overhear
or participate in a conversation that is intellectually or spiritually
stimulating you can record them.
•
Any thoughts or insight relevant to ToK is acceptable TV, movies,
music, theatre, friends, place of worship, ads, travel, other classes,
sports, viewing of art, anything in or outside the class that seems
related to problems of knowing.
•
The object of this journal is to create a dialogue with yourself
where you can question the world and propose your own insights
into the how and why of things.
•
Not all entries have to be written, poems or drawings are
acceptable.
•
New words: If you come across a new word on this course, look it
up in the dictionary and write it in your journal with its definition.
It will not be acceptable as a journal entry but I do feel it is
important that you build your vocabulary in this subject.
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011
Example of Journal Entry 1
Incorporates drawings and text
Date
Title
Problem of knowing
showing relevance to ToK
A dialogue with yourself where
you question the world and
propose your own insights into
how and why it is like that.
Next Slide
Website: Amy Scott http://www.amyscott.com/journals.htm
Excellent journal entries: Nick Alchin
http://www.amyscott.com/The%20Theory%20of%20Knowledge%20Journal%20Alchin.pdf
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011
Examples of Journal Entries 2 + 3
In response to a newspaper article & reflections on an abstract idea.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Human Suffering and Political Inequality
I read a disturbing article today. They found 39 Dominican Republic
migrants who were reported lost at sea. 55 others died. It is the
survivors who tell the tale. After two weeks at sea, an air of
desperation and then terror gripped the people. When rations
disappeared, some survived with nothing more than a coconut to
eat.Others died, not from starvation, but severe dehydration. One
woman died after she was brutally attacked for her breast milk
2 September 2001
The Nature of Time
Recently I read a fantastic book by Alan Lightman called Einstein’s Dreams. It was a series of vignettes based
on Einstein’s theory of relativity. In each piece, time had a different quality. My favorite story was about a world
in which time slowed down at higher altitudes. Once the people discovered this, they began to construct
houses on stilts and then on mountains. Social classes developed according to one’s altitude. Those on the very
top shunned those who were below. The people most pitied, however, were those who refused to worry about
Next Slide
time and passed leisurely lives at sea level.
To read the rest of these entries: http://www.amyscott.com/journals.htm
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011
Extremely important note
Your journal entries will show me the way you think
which is like a finger print (original to you).
I will know these entries are yours because of your discussions in class, your
attitude etc. These will show me the essence of you - who you are.
Copied entries (no matter how clever you think you are in copying) will be
immediately apparent to me and I take plagiarism seriously, as do universities.
If I feel there is evidence of plagiarism, I am obligated to report this to the
relevant authorities within the school and record it in the system under your
name. Please be aware that I am not required to find out who copied from
whom. Both students will receive the same punishment.
University applications can be rejected because of this please do not be
tempted to take this risk. The regret you feel when you are caught cannot be
described.
Ms Chakar - Sept 2011