Sixth Form Course Booklet 2013 - Bromsgrove School

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
The Theory of Knowledge course aims to encourage students to be intellectually open minded critical thinkers who
reflect on the knowledge presented throughout the world around them and take an active role in examining, adapting,
and developing their experience as learners. Central to the IB Diploma Curriculum, the study of ToK encourages
students to understand and investigate the web of interlinked knowledge that exists within and between their previous
educational experiences, their IBDP studies and in turn knowledge in the world at large. Keeping the individual
“knower” at the centre, the ToK course provides the opportunity for students to examine the validity and value of their
knowledge.
With a different unit per term, students will examine theories, sources, ideas, opinions, issues and claims that cover the
spectrum of experience and knowledge from the international intellectual world, for example the arts, sciences, politics,
history, language and mathematics. Throughout the ToK course individuals will gain an informed, considered
understanding of their own culture and different cultures around the world.
Students will have two classes per week throughout the majority of the two year course, with the programme finishing
before the Easter of the second year, thus meeting the IBO requirements in terms of classroom hours and allowing
students to develop their critical reasoning and evaluation skills, as well as acquire a wealth of new knowledge,
throughout the duration of their Diploma. The course will be assessed internally via ToK style presentations and
externally with a 1200 - 1600 word essay on a selected title.
For more information contact Ms L E McCutcheon (ToK Coordinator)
EXTENDED ESSAY
Each IB student is required to produce an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000 word,
fully referenced paper. This process helps to develop the skills required for research during university courses and
offers the chance to complete an in-depth study in a subject area of special interest to the student.
In achieving this, the student must generate an appropriate research question which will allow personal exploration of
the topic. Ideas need then to be communicated effectively and arguments fully developed by the student. The
experience of producing the Extended Essay develops analytical and synthesis skills and allows the student to evaluate
the knowledge that they have acquired during the research and elsewhere on the course.
Each student is required to recruit a supervisor (usually a member of the teaching staff) with some degree of expertise
in the topic area. The supervisor can then advise the student and make comments on the first draft of the essay. The
essay is ultimately submitted to an external assessor for marking.
For more information contact Mr G N Delahunty (Extended Essay Coordinator)
ToK and the Extended Essay can contribute three core points to students’ diplomas in line with the following table:
EE
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Excellent
(A)
Good
(B)
Satisfactory
(C)
Mediocre
(D)
Elementary
(E)
Not
submitted
Excellent (A) 3 3 2 2 1F* Fail
Good (B) 3 2 1 1 F* Fail
Satisfactory (C) 2 1 1 0 F* Fail
Mediocre (D) 2 1 0 0 F* Fail
Elementary (E) 1F* F* F* F* Fail Fail
Not submitted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Fail
It is acceptable to get a 0 overall (by writing a mediocre EE and getting satisfactory in ToK for example) and still be
awarded the Diploma.
F*: If students gain an E grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge, they must get an overall score of
28 points on the course in other areas, in order to be awarded the Diploma. Getting an E grade in both areas or failing
to submit the Extended Essay represents an automatic failure.
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