Edmonds School District

Course Number

Eng 700

Length/Credit

Course Name

Theory of Knowledge

Prerequisite

Students must be enrolled as full IB candidates or have teacher permission

Location

EWHS

Course Description

Purpose: The course examines the various methods or techniques by which human beings gain knowledge, convey information, and arrive at conclusions. It analyzes assumptions about the acquisition of knowledge made by various academic disciplines and relates them to the student's quest for knowledge.

Content: The course will examine the basic means through which humans interpret the world such as perception, reason and language. Then the course will compare and contrast knowledge claims across academic fields, including: mathematics, physical and natural science, history, and politics. Students will explore the nature of ethical and aesthetic judgment. The course will emphasize the following skills: research, writing, using primary source materials, comparative analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis of ideas.

Learning Demonstrations: Students will demonstrate their knowledge through discussions, debates, oral presentations, short essays, e-mail discussion forums, long essays, and written examinations.

Extended Essay: Students will write a 4,000 word essay required of all full diploma candidates, during the summer between their Junior and Senior years. Supervision of the essay will occur in this course.