Indigenous societies KQs
Knowledge questions (KQs) form the heart of the TOK course, and provide us with the opportunity to discuss, explore, and sometimes argue about the way in which we acquire, use, and evaluate our knowledge about the world.
Although the knowledge questions on indigenous societies that you see here link primarily to this optional theme, many of them link to the AOKs, and other themes, so one of the first things to consider is how they relate to, and impact on, other aspects of the course.
Knowledge questions on the nature and scope of indigenous societies
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 1, our first BQ unit for TOK
- They also link to the nature and scope of indigenous societies, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
Should we try to define, or identify indigenous societies?
What assumptions are wrapped up within the term ‘indigenous’?
To what extent does an understanding of our traditions help us to understand ourselves?
What can large-scale, industrialized societies learn from indigenous societies?
What are the advantages of a holistic approach to knowledge, as found in many indigenous societies, compared to a compartmentalized approach?
Knowledge questions on the relationship between indigenous societies and values
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 2, our second BQ unit for TOK
- They also link to indigenous societies and ethics, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
Do values play a more fundamental role in indigenous societies, compared to large-scale, industrialized societies?
Does the fact that indigenous societies often have very different approaches to morality support the case for moral relativism?
How can we distinguish between being inspired by cultural heritage, and appropriating them?
Knowledge questions on the communication of indigenous ideas
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 3, our third BQ unit for TOK
- They also link to methods, tools, and practices of indigenous societies, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
How should we define cultural appropriation?
What role do artefacts play in the production and communication of indigenous knowledge?
What can we learn about indigenous societies from non-indigenous literature?
What are the implications of communicating knowledge via oral rather than written sources?
What role does dance, song, and ritual play in the acquisition and sharing of indigenous knowledge?
What knowledge is lost when an indigenous language dies?
How are indigenous societies threatened by disinformation spread by agencies such as corporations and governments?
Knowledge questions on indigenous societies, perspectives, and context
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 4, our fourth BQ unit for TOK
- They also link to perspectives & context related to indigenous societies, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
What constitutes an ‘indigenous’ perspective to knowing about the world?
How do power relations, subjugation, and colonialism affect our understanding of other themes and areas of knowledge?
Can knowledge be ‘owned’ by a specific group of people?
Can we only ‘properly’ know the culture in which we grew up?
To what extent does our culture determine our knowledge?
Overall, how pervasive is the colonial legacy in shaping our worldviews?
Knowledge questions on creating new indigenous knowledge
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 5, our fifth BQ units for TOK
- They also link to methods, tools, and practices of indigenous societies, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
What role does memory play in the production and curation of indigenous knowledge?
In what ways can traditional knowledge “connect cultures”?
Has technology helped or hindered the production of new indigenous knowledge?
Is Western science playing catch-up with indigenous knowledge?
What role do empirical methods play in the creation of new knowledge within indigenous societies?
Knowledge questions on becoming a discerning knower about indigenous societies
- These KQs on indigenous societies relate to Big Question 6, our final BQ unit for TOK
- They also link to methods, tools, and practices of indigenous societies, part of the IB’s knowledge framework
- Good KQs ask how we know about the world (second-order knowledge), rather than what we know about the world (first-order knowledge)
- Being able to tell the difference between first and second-order knowledge can be difficult, but it is the most important attribute of successful TOK thinking
Who owns knowledge?
How have government education policies affected the integrity of indigenous knowledge?
Can a non-indigenous person be considered an ‘expert’ on indigenous societies?
How open-minded do we need to be to truly understand indigenous knowledge?
Can we adopt a neutral position when making judgments about conflicting knowledge claims from groups with different cultural traditions?
Link these KQs to the exhibition
Our TOK exhibition prompt decoder helps you to understand each of the 35 IA prompts, link them to the core and optional themes, and the 12 key TOK concepts, and explore them via quotes, questions, TED talks, and media sources. Access the decoder here.
Explore the KQs in more depth
Our sixty-six Exploration Point documents (updated every month) help you delve deeper into TOK via media sources, unpacking ideas, guidance on the key concepts, and other tips. HERE is an example of a EP document (for history & perspectives) – join us to gain access to the other sixty-five!
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