Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Course Guidelines:  Fall 2018

Mrs. Jennifer Webb                                                   Office Hours:  3:10-3:40 & by appt. Jennifer.Webb@jeffco.k12.co.us

“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.”

--Obi-Wan Kenobi

TOK--Semester II Overview

“Much to learn you still have . . . [t]his is just the beginning!”

--Master Yoda

The second semester of TOK focuses on knowledge issues in the areas of knowledge: ethics, the arts, history, social sciences, experimental science, and mathematics. Course activities will include readings, discussions, journal entries, essays, and presentations.  All activities are designed to help you learn the IB required material and help you apply what you learn in TOK to your other classes and to “real life.” Emphasis will be placed on the IB diploma requirements (presentation and paper); however, the course will include a variety of other activities centered on reading, discussion, journaling, argumentation, and presentation.  

Attendance and Participation:

The bulk of this course is student-centered and often student-led.  Because of this, it is essential that you be in class and on time. If you miss a class—regardless of the nature of your absence—it  is your responsibility to find out what you missed and how you can make it up. Most material covered in class and a list of all homework assignments should be available on my web site via the Lakewood High School home page, but you must speak with me personally about making up class discussions.

Late Work:

Long-term assignments must be submitted on the due date regardless of attendance!  Assignments submitted late will receive partial credit (as per LHS guidelines) if submitted within one week of the original due date; after one week assignments will be marked as completed, but will receive no credit.  Do NOT submit your IB TOK paper late; it could prevent you from earning your IB diploma.

Grading:

Grades are cumulative over the course of the semester.  Assignments will have varying point values based on the nature of the assignment and its complexity. While we want you to do well on the paper and presentation, our greatest concern is the application of the material learned in the course. Thus, our grading has changed somewhat. The paper will be 25% of your semester grade. The presentation will be 15% of your semester grade. The other 60% will be comprised of all other activities, including class participation. The grading scale is as follows:

A      90-100

B      80-89

C     70-79

D     60-69

F       0-59

Please note:  I will not “round up” your grade.  Furthermore, I typically do NOT offer “extra credit” points.  Your grade will reflect your actual course work.

Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism is an especially serious violation for writers.  It applies to any material written by someone else, including materials published on web sites via the internet.  Do NOT be tempted to claim other people’s work as your own.  Learn to properly cite borrowed information and ideas.  Please let me know if you need help with this.  Any academic dishonesty will be reported to your parents and to the IB coordinator.

Classroom Expectations Respect for yourself, others, and this classroom is an expectation. Students need to be willing to have open minds, to discuss, and to accept that we will not all have the same opinions and beliefs. Students should follow all behavior expectations outlined in the Jeffco Student Handbook. In addition to this, the following rules apply to my class/classroom:

• No food will be allowed in class.  Students may, however, have water in class (water is NOT clear, sticky soda, nor is it a beverage from Starbucks, etc.)

• Gum is fine as long as we do not see it or hear it.  Please do not chew gum if you are giving a presentation—yucky!

• No headphones or earbuds—ever.   Put the electronics away unless they are requested for an assignment.  All electronics are for use on classroom activities only. Students playing games, checking email, etc. will no longer be allowed to bring laptops/Chromebooks to class.

• Cell phones should not be out during class, nor should they be heard during class.  Texting will NOT be tolerated during class!

• Come prepared for class daily.  Students who must return to their lockers to retrieve forgotten materials will be marked tardy and will lose participation points.

• Be respectful of your peers, yourself, your instructor, and your school.

Please contact me via email anytime you have questions or concerns.

Thank you!