Thomas Edison High School
2012-2013
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Yr I
Mr. Max Athorn
Room 226
612-668-9924 (school voicemail)
max.athorn@mpls.k12.mn.us
http://edison.mpls.k12.mn.us/mr_athorn
E-mail is my preferred method of correspondence. I promise to return all messages within 24
hours during the school week.
Course Description This course is a requirement of IB Diploma and IB Medallion Candidates.
The course is two years, completed during the Advisory/Academic Lab period of the student’s
junior year and during an elective class period of the fall of the student’s senior year.
In this course, we will analyze the four ways of knowing (WoK) and the six areas of knowledge
(AoK), observing and discussing the many ways that they interact with one another. This course
is intended to supplement the IB SL and HL coursework as we work to make global connections
and become IB Learners as laid out in the IB Learner Profile.
Course Objectives: The primary objective of this course is to deepen and contextualize the
learning that is occurring in all of the other courses of IB Diploma Programme students. Aside
from the work done during our time together in my classroom, our “TOK” discussions will move
across the curriculum, and across the school day, with holistic learning experiences in all of the
other IB classes.
The other major objective of the course is to prepare students to complete the TOK Essay and
TOK Presentation next fall. Those are the two major pieces of assessed work that are submitted
for credit towards the IB Diploma. A large part of our in-class work will be discussions and
writing labs to prepare for those assessments.
Overall, we work daily to answer the two questions that are central to “Theory of Knowledge”:
1. What do we know?
2. How do we know that we know it?
Quarterly Overview of Units:
Quarter I: Community building, introduction to the Diploma Programme, the cohort,
Diploma/Medallion expectations, holistic education, and cross-curricular aims.
Quarter II: Introduction to the Ways of Knowing (WoK). Two weeks dedicated to each of the
four ways of knowing and their various interactions with current events and our coursework.
Quarter III: Introduction to the Areas of Knowledge (AoK). 1-2 weeks dedicated to each of the
six areas of knowledge and their relationship to the WoK.
Quarter IV: Introduction to future TOK Assignments. Extended time with the TOK Presentation
(to be completed Q1 next fall), the TOK Essay (Q2 next fall), and strategies for successful
completion of those projects.
Throughout the Year: Academic advising, peer support, lockers, planners, college discussion,
future planning, hopes and dreams, discussion of current events, guest speakers, and
establishing and maintaining a culture of intellectualism as we continue to seek to strengthen
the academic identity of Thomas Edison High School.
Major assessments: Daily Personal Engagement Credit, Journal Collection (twice per quarter),
written reflections of viewed and read material, role playing assignments. There will be one
major written paper per semester.
Texts and Resources: There is no one formal textbook for Theory of Knowledge. We will read
excerpts from a variety of printed materials, view films and recordings, and seek out our own
resources in researching individual topics.
Grading Policy: You will be assigned a letter grade (A-F) for this course. The course will be
graded according to the standard Minneapolis Public Schools Grade scale.
93-100%
90-92.9%
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
80-82.9%
77-79.9%
A
AB+
B
BC+
73-76.9%
70-72.9%
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
60-62.9%
0-59.9%
C
CD+
D
DF
The breakdown of the percentage points is as follows:
30%: Personal Engagement
30%: Major Assignments (Papers, Presentations, Special Projects)
40%: Regular Journal Assignments/Reflections
Homework Policy: All assignments will have a due date. Assignments must be submitted on
time to receive full credit. Late assignments will receive half-credit and will only be accepted for
two weeks following the due date. If you need extra time in order to complete an assignment,
please see me in advance of the due date to discuss a possible extension.
If you are absent from class for any reason, you are responsible for missed assignments by
reviewing the assignments on ClassroomForSuccess. Written work may be submitted
electronically via e-mail or GoogleDocs.
Class Expectations and Discipline
1. Prepared and punctual attendance in both body and mind. Students will arrive on time,
ready to work, learn, and discuss. Students need not bring anything to class but a writing
utensil.
2. Keep my classroom clean. If you bring food into my room, and there is any sign of it
when you leave, then I will disallow all food in my classroom.
3. Phones, cameras and iPods will be turned off and out of sight during class lectures,
discussions, activities and performances! We will not be using electronics in class unless I
explicitly suggest and approve it. I reserve the right to confiscate any electronics without
warning.
4. Theory of Knowledge is a class that is largely based on class discussions of large,
complicated issues. There will be disagreements, sometimes about sensitive subjects.
Any disrespect of classmates during these discussions will not be tolerated.
Attendance and Tardy Policy: A large majority of our class will be discussion-based, and if
you are not present and punctual in spirit, mind and body, you will be denied the experience of
our common learning. Attendance is mandatory, and persistent tardiness will result in
administrative referral.
A note about Academic Lab: This is a unique course, because I am your advisor, and our regular
class meetings are held during Advisory and Academic Lab. The purpose of Academic Lab at
Edison is to afford students the opportunity to seek additional instruction in any of your seven
courses. The arrangement for this class is that we will regularly have “Academic Lab”
on Thursdays only. You will be expected to attend Theory of Knowledge on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays. Check in with me for attendance on Thursdays on your way to Academic Lab
as you would with any other advisor. I will mark you absent if I don’t see you!
However, if circumstances require you to miss Theory of Knowledge because of a particularly
urgent Academic Lab need, it must be communicated to me in advance of the beginning of class.
Drop an e-mail the night before, come say hi as you are entering the building in the morning, or
at lunch. DO NOT come to my classroom at the beginning of Advisory/Academic Lab and state
your desire to go elsewhere, because you will not be dismissed.
Academic Honesty Policy: Due to the college preparatory nature of this class, I expect all
students to adopt a college mindset with regards to academic integrity.
To wit: In college, if you are caught cheating, you are often dismissed from school. Not just the
class period, not just given an automatic “F” for that assignment or that course. Commonly, one
single act of academic fraud will cost you the opportunity to earn a degree at that institution.
There are no second chances, no mediation, no excuses.
If you are doing written work for Theory of Knowledge, it is my expectation that it is 100%
yours. In this class, if you are found to have committed an act of Academic Dishonesty, you will
be given an automatic “0” for that assignment, and you will not be afforded the opportunity to
make it up. You will also be referred to the administration for possible disciplinary sanctions.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…
This work is difficult. If you have the temptation to pull something off of the internet or copy
from a classmate because you are at a loss, you should come and talk to me and we can discuss
why the assignment is difficult. I am willing to accommodate reasonable requests for extended
time on a written assignment or project and I will work with you individually to ensure that you
have the resources and expertise that you need to do quality work!!