Todd Erickson

JR TOK Course Syllabus / Outline

Class of 2022

Overview of Topics

YEAR ONE
Topic/s # of Hours
Introduction: TOK and the Twelve Key Concepts 2.5
Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower, including 7 (to be revisited in each Theme
intro to Knowledge Framework and AOK for at least .5 hours)
Theme Option #1: Knowledge and Technology 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
Theme Option #2: Knowledge and Language 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
Internal Assessment: Exhibition 9
Area of Knowledge 1: The Arts 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
TOTAL 50

YEAR TWO
Topic/s # of Hours
Review: Twelve key Concepts, Core Theme, Knowledge 2
Framework, Year One Highlights
Area of Knowledge 2: Mathematics 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
Area of Knowledge 3: Human Sciences 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
Area of Knowledge 4: Natural Sciences 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
Area of Knowledge 5: History 10 (+.5 Core Theme)
External Assessment: Essay 10
TOK Across the Curriculum/the World/My Life as a TBD (Remainders)
Knower
TOTAL 54

Things to Note:
 As TOK is required to be at least to be 100 hours over the course of the two years of the
program, the outline above plans for 104 hours (including some review at the beginning
of Year Two), as to have approval for the course’s construction. However, due to our
internal Brockton High School schedule, the TOK course time allotted is normally 55
minutes every other day over two years. As such, the presumed remaining course time
is used for Extended Essay and CAS overviews, as well as TOK review when appropriate
and possible. In addition, there is also an additional section following the completion of
our required assessments, in which we explore with even greater detail how TOK has
and will continue to impact our lives (referred to here as “TOK Across the
Curriculum/the World/My Life as a Knower”). As scheduling changes are likely to occur
in our current circumstances, the above time allotments will be applied proportionate to
those indicated above.
  The course’s curriculum and assessments will remain in the order and year stated, even
if a half hour added to a particular topic here and there. For instance, perhaps we will
have an additional half hour to discuss Knowledge and Technology, but this would be
done only in the event that time allows for the Exhibition to take place during year one
following the Themes (Core and Options).

Course Aims (ibo.org):

 to encourage students to reflect on the central question, “How do we know that?”, and
to recognize the value of asking that question
 to expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with multiple plausible
answers
 to equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world, and help prepare
them to encounter novel and complex situations
 to encourage students to be more aware of their own perspectives and to reflect
critically on their own beliefs and assumptions
 to engage students with multiple perspectives, foster open-mindedness and develop
intercultural understanding
 to encourage students to make connections between academic disciplines by exploring
underlying concepts and by identifying similarities and differences in the methods of inquiry
used in different areas of knowledge
 to prompt students to consider the importance of values, responsibilities and ethical
concerns relating to the production, acquisition, application and communication of
knowledge.

Assessment Objectives (ibo.org):

Having completed the TOK course, students should be able to:
 demonstrate TOK thinking through the critical examination of knowledge questions
 identify and explore links between knowledge questions and the world around us
 identify and explore links between knowledge questions and areas of knowledge
 develop relevant, clear and coherent arguments
 use examples and evidence effectively to support a discussion
 demonstrate awareness and evaluation of different points of view
 consider the implications of arguments and conclusions.

POLICIES
Email and Website
We will be using Teams for our distance learning meetings, Schoology for assignments
and distribution of files and materials, and Office for sharing folders as needed.
Also, I am always working on the website for the class using Weebly:
http://mreib123.weebly.com/ The website is a “living document,” meaning that it changes and
includes various updates: homework assignments; important class announcements; important
sheets; links to helpful pages; and so on. Likewise, if you have an idea for something to add to
the site (that’s appropriate and somewhat useful), we can definitely do that if it’s technically
feasible.

Grading (for Brockton High School Grades)

 Category Percentage of Grade Abbreviation

Summative (essay, projects) 40% SUM

Formative (classwork, quizzes, 50% FORM

writing process, quick writes, etc.)

Homework 10% HW

There are exceptions to the above. There are TWO major TOK assessments that are designed by
IB, that must be completed by strict deadlines, and that are required to receive any credit for TOK and
the IB Diploma: the TOK Exhibition and the TOK Essay. The Exhibition must be completed in the first
year, and the essay is completed at the beginning of second semester of the second year. Failure to
complete either of these assessments (around which the course is constructed) and/or to upload these
assessments by the given BHS IB deadlines, will result in a failing grade in the term that they are
assigned and due.

NOTES
 Occasionally, an assignment may count in two grade categories, such as a “Homework”
assignment that is also an essay—you may receive an HW grade for completing the
essay plus a SUM grade for completing the essay.
 Classwork includes not only assignments written and completed in class, but also class
participation (in discussions, for example) and oral presentations.
 Extra credit opportunities do NOT take the place of regular work expected for this class.
Occasionally, there may be a chance for everyone to gain a few extra points. Otherwise,
it is up to the teacher’s discretion and based on an individual’s effort. Extra Credit will
not be accepted late.
 Please be understanding regarding the time needed to read your work and provide
meaningful feedback. You are always more than welcome to come see me and ask how
you’re doing.
 Please understand that, although homework is technically worth less than other work
according to percentage points, not completing your homework will affect your ability
to do the other work in the class. I avoid assigning homework simply to assign it; rather,
 I aim for clear quality assignments over quantity. Twenty minutes of an interesting and
challenging task is better than thirty minutes of something you see no benefit in. As
such, it is all the more important that you do your best to complete them.
 If at some point, you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with work, or as though you’re
falling behind, or that you’ve lost your motivation, it is wise to come and talk with me. It
is always okay to ask for help, and it is a sign of maturity to recognize that you would
benefit from it.

Extra Help / Guidance

I am available for extra help almost every day after school, the exception being when I
have an appointment somewhere, a class I’m taking myself, or if there are faculty meetings. I
am more than happy to offer extra help, AND there is nothing wrong with getting extra help,
but it is up to you to get it if you need it.
For this class and the IB program, there will be times when meeting outside of class will
be necessary and required: going over an idea for a paper or presentation, discussing possible
revisions, etc. I cannot vouch for other IB classes, but I will do my best to provide you with as
much advanced notice as possible when such appointments are needed. We will most likely
use a paper calendar to sign up for such meetings, but you’re encouraged to add appointments
to your own calendar (on your daily planner, phone, ipad, etc.).

Late and Make-up Work

LATE WORK: Unless you speak to me about your special circumstances, late work will be
graded in the following manner: I swear I ate it by
accident…
One Day Late = minus 20% of grade
Two Days Late = minus 40% of grade
Three or More Days Late = No Credit

Any IB assessments will not be accepted late. The reason for this is because there are
strict deadlines that need to be adhered to. I will tell you when this is the case.
Note that any homework is to be completed before class begins on the day that it is due.
If you attempt to finish homework during class time and neglect other responsibilities (opener,
etc.), that work will be given a zero. In other words, it is far better for you to turn it in one day
late than to neglect your in-class responsibilities. Additionally, it can be a distraction for those
around you, and it creates resentment from those who took the time and planning to finish it
before class.
Always remember that any credit is better than a zero. A zero throws a banana peel in
front of your grade. For example, say a student received three grades: 85%, 85%, and 0%. That
student would then have a 57 average, even though s/he did solid B grade work on two
assignments. The grade always slips on the banana peel zero.
A final point to remember is that I do not collect and grade absolutely everything that
we do in class; however, everything counts in some way or another. So, the question is not
“Will you be collecting this?” but rather “Is this important and meaningful?” and the answer is
always “YES!” I do not assign busy work, crossword puzzles, and so on (or if I ever do assign a
crossword puzzle, there’s a reason, such as asking you to think about your thinking as you
complete it!).

MAKE-UP WORK: If you are absent for any reason, you will most likely have some kind of
make-up work to do. You can check Schoology for assignments, or chat with me after class or
during another appropriate time during class. Please remember that make-up work is your
responsibility. Finally, the last thing you need to know is that you have the number of days
absent plus one day to complete your make-up work. Therefore, if you are absent two days,
you have three days to make up the work. After that, it will go by the Late Work policy above.

RULES
1. Respect all individuals and materials in the classroom.
2. Do your best.
3. Be mindful of where you are and whom you are with.