PAXON SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES
CURRICULUM PAPER for SENIOR THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Ms. Shore, Olin Building, Room N103
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Senior TOK is culmination of Paxon’s IB Theory of Knowledge Course. TOK is an integral component in the core of the Diploma Programme, to which 100 hours of class time must be devoted. In essence, TOK encourages students to examine how they know what they know.
COURSE OUTLINE
Senior TOK completes the study of the areas of knowledge begun in the junior year, including art, ethics and existentialism. The final Extended Essay (October 2018), the TOK Presentation (December 2018) and the TOK essay from the IB prescribed titles list (February 2019) are products of senior year.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Students should arrive to class on time, ready to work. This means that students should come to class prepared—with notebooks, journals, pen, paper, and brain power. Time management and organization is very important to withstanding the rigorous pace of IB at Paxon. Electronics should be “out of sight and out of mind.” In this regard, students must adhere to school and to district policy. Above all, respect of oneself and others is imperative.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Texts*: Theory of Knowledge: Developed Specifically for the IB Diploma. Pearson Baccalaureate,
Publishers.
*Class copies will be provided unless otherwise noted.
Other supplemental texts for instruction include—but are not limited to—fiction, non-fiction, informational texts and film; these will be provided to students in class.
Class materials: Students in Senior TOK will be required to keep a class notebook. A one-inch binder is sufficient, with tabs for Notes, TOK Essay, TOK presentations, Extended Essay, and Handouts. Other materials include a college-ruled composition book for close reading/journal assignments, a blue or black ink pen for written products, and access to a thumb drive for class assessments. Students are required to use Manage Bac to upload assignments.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Assessment in Senior TOK evaluates students’ performance on in-class essays, exams, quizzes, collaborative and individual application projects, in-class activities for IB assessments, home learning, and research projects for IB assessments. Grades are awarded on a point system; students’ averages are based on the points they earn divided by total possible points. The grading scale is consistent with the PSAS/DCPS scale. Assessment criteria for essays and presentations are derived from IB. All work must be completed in blue or black ink pen only or typed when applicable. Extra credit is not available for this course.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework consists of reading and writing assignments from texts, writing additional essays, and producing IB assessments. A few assignments will be completed in class; others will require reading and writing to be done at home. In order to complete some assignments, students may need to spend additional time after school to do research, a group project, or computer work. I will be available before or after school by appointment to assist students with such projects.
MAKE-UP POLICY
Students are responsible for checking their assignment calendar on my website for work given during days missed and for asking about handouts or make-up test dates (if applicable). For an absence, students have the same number of days absent to complete and to turn in make-up work for a possible 100% credit. The make-up policy is consistent with PSAS/DCPS. Turning in make-up work ON TIME is a STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY. ALL OTHER LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND WILL RESULT IN 0% CREDIT.
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
Integrity is an integral part of Paxon’s mission and vision, as well as those of IB. Students in Senior TOK must be accountable for the work they produce individually and cooperatively. Know that it is always the student’s responsibility to prove that work is not plagiarized, if it is questioned. Plagiarized work will result in a grade of ZERO for all involved parties and will require a parent-teacher conference. (Remember—plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas as your own, without crediting the source.) Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Cheating includes copying someone else’s homework, classwork, or test items; cheating is also the act of allowing someone to copy your work.
CONFERENCE PERIOD
Please contact Paxon’s Guidance Office, 693-7583, to schedule an appointment.
TUTORING
Available Monday-Friday by appointment
CONTACT
K. Shore,
(904) 693-7583, ext 161
Website: www.paxontok.com
PAXON SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES
CURRICULUM PAPER for Senior Theory of Knowledge
Ms. Shore, Olin Building, Room N103
I have read completely and understand fully the requirements for Senior Theory of Knowledge as outlined in this curriculum paper. I have also read the Plagiarism Contract and understand the consequences of plagiarism and cheating.
Student Name (Printed) Student Signature (Signed)
Date Signed
Parent/Guardian Name (Printed) Parent/Guardian Signature (Signed)
Date Signed
Parent/Guardian Email: