How+do+we+define+and+understand+our+world?+(Perception+and+Language)



Interpreting Our World Through Sense Perception and Language//Perception is active inquiry, not passive reception...We reach out to cope with the world in many complex ways: in names and descriptions, in sense and reference, in signs, symbols, words and gestures, in thinking in acting.// (Reuben Abel __Man is the Measure)__ Our next unit will focus on the remaining two **Ways of Knowing**, Perception and Language. In order to for us to make substantive knowledge claims about our world, we must interpret, define, reference the external stimuli in a manner that allows us to internally make meaning and share that meaning with others. By exploring the interaction between the internal and external processes of the human mind, we can begin to explore how are knowledge is constructed and evaluate how sense perception and language can strengthen and limit our understanding. To provide context to our discussion of these two **Ways of Knowing** we will be developing and analyzing how their impact varies in the three **Areas of Knowledge** of History, the Arts, the Human Science and the Natural Science. Be prepared to have you senses and conceptions challenged. It might be a little uncomfortable at times but ultimately, hopefully enlightening.

=__Essential Questions__=
 * 1. How do our five senses give us information about our world and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the data we receive? More Related Questions**


 * 2. What is the role of interpretation in processing sensory input? How might expectations, assumptions and beliefs affect sense perceptions? More Related Questions**


 * 3. To what extent do knowledge claims based on sensory input vary between different areas of knowledge? More Related Questions**


 * 4. What is the nature of language and how does it define our world? What are the limitations presented by these definitions?More Related Questions**


 * 5. Is language created by or innate to humans? What are the ramifications of each of these theories? More Related Questions**


 * 6. How does the variance that exists in language impact the different areas of knowledge? More Related Questions**


 * 7. How does the interaction between language and sensory perception strengthen and weaken our "true" understanding?**

__Assessment__
Your summative assessment for this unit will be a presentation that links a "//real life"// situation and a Knowledge Question of your choosing that demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of the Ways of Knowing in the acquisition and application of knowledge. There are a number of potential themes that you can explore for this presentation, so make sure you write down ideas that interest you as you progress through this unit so you can use them in your presentation.

You will be allowed to work individually or in pairs and you will be assessed on the TOK presentation rubric. TOK Presentation Rubric You will need to complete a Presentation Planning Form before you will be able to sign-up for you time slot: Presentation Schedule




 * = ==Week==

||= ==Topics==

||= ==Activities== || Watch //Seeing is Believing// video and complete Audience Participation activities (See Mr. Johnson for Videos) Reading from __Man is the Measure__ on Perception (Possible Homework or In-Class, 4 pgs) Discussion Questions
 * = ===1=== ||= **How do our five senses give us information about our world and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the data we receive?** ||= Starter for Sense Perception: [|Which way is the train moving?]

Beau Lotto Ted Talk - Optical Illusions How We See

Seeing more than your eye does link || (Explanation for Teachers What Sound Does it Make? Activity (Download Plato's Allegory of the Cave
 * = ===2=== ||= **What is the role of interpretation in processing sensory input? How might expectations, assumptions and beliefs affect sense perceptions** ||= A Show of Hands Activity

HW: Chinese, Americans Truly See Differently [|See Article]

[|Recent Study Showing the Connection Between Language and Visual Sense Perception (Chinese vs. English)]

Perception Synonym Scavenger Hunt Socratic Discussion on the nature of perception Discussion Question and Preparation

Extending our Sense Perception-To what extent does technology enhance our ability to gain knowledge of the world?

[|Cyborgs from "Insight"] || Stephen Frye's __Planet Word__ Episode 1: Where does our language come from? (HW task) Orwellian Doublespeak Activity Link The Problem of Definition: Beef, Cows and Chairs Activity Link Flash cards pdf for Cows and Chairs activity Socratic Discussion on the Nature of Language Homework Reading: Selections from __Man is the Measure__ by Reuben Abel Comprehension Questions to accompany reading || Download for Teachers- Stephen Frye's __Planet Word__ Episode 2: Language and Identity (HW Task) Decipher the Text Video- The Stuff of Thought (See Mr. Johnson for Videos)
 * = ===3=== ||= **What is the nature of language and how does it define our world? What are the limitations presented by these definitions?** ||= Create Your Own Language Activity
 * = ===4=== ||= **Is language created by or innate to humans? What are the ramifications of each of these theories?**
 * How does the variance that exists in language impact the different areas of knowledge?** ||= Nature of Language Quotes Cocktail Party Starter

Class Discussion on the Origin of Language AOK Etymology Assignment ||
 * = ===5=== ||= **Introduce Presentation Criterion, Develop Knowledge Question and Begin Working on Presentations.** ||= [|Presentation Stimulus: Mystery of Consciousness by Steven Pinker]

Printable Version:

[|Real Life Situation Connecting Ethics and Language]

[|Real Life Stiuation-Argentinian President Makes Racist Joke in China]

[|Real Life Situation: Most Common Words in US Politics] Setup Presentation of Ways of Knowing Work on Presentation Presentations on Language and Perception (and possibly Reason and Emotion)

Link to Presentation Page

Presentation Schedule for Week of March 2nd-6th ||
 * = **6** ||= **Presentations in Class Time** ||= Student Presentations Assessed (Self, Peer and Teacher) ||

=TOK Lexicon for this Unit= //By the conclusion of this unit you should have developed at least a working definition of each of the below terms. Refer to the TOK Lexicon to see how our community of learners is contributing to the "definitions" of these and other terms.//


 * = ===Senses=== ||= ===Perception=== ||= ===Language=== ||
 * = ===Assumptions=== ||= ===Expectations=== ||= ===Input=== ||
 * = ===Output=== ||= ===Innate=== ||= ===Created=== ||

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