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The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is split into two parts. Themes, and Areas of Knowledge. For the exhibition, students focus on the themes learned during the first year of the IB Diploma Programme, while the TOK Essay focuses on the Areas of Knowledge (AOK) primarily introduced in the latter half of their TOK education.
As AOKs form the foundation of the TOK Essay assessment which account for two thirds of your TOK grade, it is very important to have a good grasp of each AOK and revisit them when it comes time to plan, and write your TOK Essay.
This article is meant to serve as both a summary of, and a useful tool for revision of each AOK. Consider it a crash course of sorts for the AOKs. I will focus on the key properties of each AOK that may be important for you in your TOK essay.
The areas of knowledge within the TOK syllabus include:
- History
- Human Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- The Arts
- Mathematics
History
History studies past events. However, this is more focused on our human past rather than the past or ‘old stuff’ in general. So the history of the Roman Empire would fit within the AOK of History but dinosaur fossils are not. It has direct links to the IB History course.
The production of knowledge is based upon the historical method. This youtube video could be helpful to explain this method.
Acquisition of historical knowledge can also have profound impacts on how society develops. The common saying that ‘history repeats itself’ may hold true, but the TOK guide also suggest that historical knowledge can lead to greater empathy and understanding between each other. Do you think this is true?
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