Theory of Knowledge 2

Final ToK Presentation and Essay

2009-01-07T09:55:00.001-05:00

January 8-12

Your Final ToK Paper is due the last day of Exams. Be prepared to present on the day of the exam. Please consult the Presentation requirements and suggestions on my blog.

Ending Grendel

2009-01-07T09:54:00.002-05:00

January 7

Please read your assignment under Ending Grendel. Be prepared to discuss in class on Thursday

ToK Essay Draft

2008-12-21T16:17:00.001-05:00

December 23

Please submit a rough draft of your ToK Essay before you leave for vacation. Over vacation, please finish Grendel.

Grendel Ch. 9

2008-12-14T19:01:00.002-05:00

Why does Grendel find the Priest's conversation "strange?" Why does the younger priest believe that Ork's "vision proves there is hope for us all"!

In Chapter 8, the sign is Scorpio.
In Chapter 9, the sign is Sagittarius represented by the Archer. Please look up both signs and explain why Gardner might have used these signs as the symbols for each chapter.

Grendel Ch. 8

2008-12-09T18:45:00.003-05:00

December 8

In what ways does the character of Red Horse embody the political concept of Machiavellianism? If you have not been exposed to Machiavelli - learn about him today!

Red Horse also has some Anarchist tendencies - can you give me an example?

Also, what does Hrothgar have to do with Plato's Republic?

Finally, Grendel says at the end of the chapter, "I made him what he is." In what ways does that connect to page 91 where Grendel exclaims, "My enemies define themselves on me?"

Can you think of a person that might be uttering this phrase at this very moment?

Out of Class Essay

2008-12-01T20:23:00.003-05:00

December 2

In an Essay of 1000 words, please answer the following question.

Is science, or ought it to be, value free? What implications does your answer have for the regulation of science? Considering the fight over Intelligent Design vs. Evolution (as well as Research Scandals and Bayer Study), who should decide whether particular directions in research are pursued?

The paper is due on December 8. Using the IB ToK Rubric, I would like you to grade yourself. If you think you deserve an A, that's fine, but you must Justify Your Knowledge Claims with a brief explanation of how you achieved that specific mark according to the criteria. If I feel that you did not provide adequate justifications, I will lower your grade.

Grendel Ch. 6 & 7

2008-11-30T17:48:00.003-05:00

November 30
Please answer questions on your blog by December 2.

Considering what happens to both Grendel and Unferth in Chapter 6, why do you think the Chapter begins with the line: "Nothing was changed, everything was changed." Why do you think Skepticism defines this chapter?

In Chapter 7, Grendel states that "My enemies define themselves (as the dragon said) on me." Considering what we have studied about Monsters and 'The Other', do you agree with Grendel? In your opinion, does Wealtheow represent a Christ figure? Provide specific examples to support your claims. Where is the sign of Libra found in Chapter 7?

Pescribed Title #2

2008-11-21T12:18:00.002-05:00

November 24

Please continue to research your FINAL ToK question by looking at the national Public Radio website.Just click on link:http://www.npr.org/

Research should be posted to your blog on November 25.

Popper

2008-11-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

November 20

Please post the answers to the three questions on Karl Popper from the packet article entitled: Who Says Science is About Facts?

Social Sciences

2008-11-13T14:03:00.003-05:00

November 13

Please respond to the question after reading the first chapter of Freakanomics:

In what ways might social, political, cultural and religious factors affect the types of human science research that are financed and undertaken, or rejected?

How might your group have responded to the crime issue of the 1990s? How would they have reacted to the findings?

Please post the response on your blog.

Prescribed Title #1

2008-11-11T16:49:00.004-05:00

November 10
Please select ONE Question from the May 2009 Prescribed Titles .

Then, please research your question by looking at The Christian Science Monitor Website.

Just click on link:
http://www.csmonitor.com/

Research should be posted to your blog on November 16.

Social Sciences

2008-11-02T19:49:00.002-05:00

November 4

Please post the Diamond Questions and the Abel Outline to your blog this week.

Grendel Ch. 4 & 5

2008-10-22T09:25:00.003-04:00

October 23

Please read Grendel Chapters 4 & 5.
In Chapter 4, the Crab is intended to represent the concept of Dualism or Good vs. Evil. Do you agree?

In Chapter 5, The Dragon is intended to represent Nihilism or Materialism. Do you agree?
Please use quotes to support your answer. be prepared to discuss the week on Oct. 26-31.

In Class Essay

2008-10-21T18:27:00.001-04:00

October 21

Using your notes and addressing specific discussions we have had in class, please answer the following question.

If truth is difficult to prove in history, does it follow that all versions are equally acceptable?

History

2008-10-13T21:38:00.002-04:00

October 14

Please take a few minutes and comment on the Cheques activity we did in class. As you reflect upon your role as a Historian, what did you learn about the discipline? What are the strengths and weaknesses of gaining Knowledge through the study of History?

Grendel Ch. 3

2008-10-07T08:49:00.002-04:00

October 7
Please answer the following question on your blog.

What can Grendel Chapter 3 inform us about how we study History? Please use specific quotes from the chapter to support your argument.

Extended Essay

2008-10-04T07:54:00.002-04:00

October 6-10
Be prepared to submit a rough draft of your Extended Essay on October 10th. You must turn in one to your supervisor and submit one to me as a Google doc on October 10th to pass EE for the term.

Hindu Dieties

2008-09-26T08:40:00.004-04:00

September 27

Please Answer the following Question on Your Blog.

What Hindu Diety were you asked to research? What questions did you and your partner have when looking at the diety? Which Question did you attempt to answer? What was the answer?

Please place a photo of your diety on the blog.

There will be a test on Hinduism and Buddhism on Friday October 3rd.

Plato

2008-09-23T08:59:00.003-04:00

September 17

Please copy and post this question to your blog:

By Thursday, September 26, please outline the main points (bullet points are fine) of Plato's Republic. (Books I-VII)
Extra credit will be rewarded for adding specific references discussed in class.

Grendel Ch. 2

2008-09-09T21:35:00.005-04:00

September 12

Please copy this question and post answer on your blog.

From what you have read thus far, why does Grendel say "The World is all pointless accident...I exist, nothing else." You may want to refer specifically to pg. 21-22. How would you describe Grendel's first interactions with humans?

Finally, The Astrological sign represented in the First Chapter was Aries (The Ram). The Second Chapter introduced Taurus (The Bull). Please do some research on these signs and explain why they may have been included in these chapters.

Death At An Early Age

2008-09-09T08:10:00.003-04:00

September 8

Please copy and post this question to your blog:

After reading the Kozol piece, consider what he might say regarding "Monsters." Are they created by society, or do Monsters responsible for their behavior? Do you agree with Kozol? Why or why not?

Grendel Ch. 1

2008-08-19T18:34:00.010-04:00

September 1

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

What were your impressions of the First Chapter from Grendel? Why does Grendel describe his life as "the deadly progression of moon and stars" (p. 8) , "depressed" (p.10), " and "life's curse" (p.11). How does he describe his mother? Can you think of anyone in our society that might describe their own life in the same way? Why?

Monster

2008-08-19T18:30:00.007-04:00

August 28

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

How would you define the word Monster? What images or words do you think of when that term is used? How does someone become a Monster? To what extent is a Monster created by his/her surroundings? Is the Monster responsible for their actions?

Turkey Honor Killings

2008-08-19T18:26:00.010-04:00

August 27

After reading the story of Honor Killings in Turkey, you have been assigned one of the following characters:

Sait (Father of Kina)
Yesim (Son of Sait and Brother of Kina)
Pinar (Women's Rights Advocate)
Farac (Judge in Istanbul)
Molly Moore (American columnist for Washington Post)

For next class, please analyze the story from the perspective of your character.

Please copy and post this question to your blog:

Using: Perception Language Emotion Reason Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it: How does your character justify his/her actions in the story?

How does your character know what they know? In order to support your claim, please use an image (photograph, video clip, paiting) or a piece of writing (literature, textbook, poem) for each way of knowing.