This is a TOK keynote (Lesson 4 of a four week SOW)...

1. Lesson 4
TOK The Arts- Lesson 4: Or is it? Were lessons
1-3 merely a figment of your imagination? If so,
is lesson 4 actually lesson 1 and does that mean
that everything you thought you had learnt
absolute guff? Discuss...
Sunday, February 15, 2009

2. Oscar Wilde-
Watch the following Monty Python Oscar
Wilde sketch (3:25 into the sketch): http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWP2XAdw-
bE&feature=related
‘Life imitates art far more than art imitates
life.’ (Ha, ha, ha, ha)
Firstly, individually, write down in your
journals what you think Wilde meant?
Secondly, in small groups (3-4) see you if you
can reach consensus about its meaning.
Sunday, February 15, 2009

3. Very witty Wilde...
Sunday, February 15, 2009

4. Mimesis
Greek word meaning imitation.
The copy theory suggests that a perfect
copy can represent great art.
What about technological change? Look at
your photo? Why do you like it? Is it an
accurate representation of you? (10 minutes)
A photocopy is a near perfect imitation but
is it art?
What about an orchestra that plays Mozart?
Is this art?
Sunday, February 15, 2009

5. Musical Clip...
Double click on the icon above. Students to
have a nice rest. You deserve it after 4
weeks of the arts. Close your eyes and use
the sensory perception of sound. For those
of you who don’t understand the language,
does this change your ability to evaluate it
as a piece of art?
Sunday, February 15, 2009

6. European Unification
The piece of classical music was written by
Zbigniew Preisner, a Polish composer, for the
Kieslowski film, Three Colours: Blue.
It is supposed to represent an anthem for
the unification of Europe. Does this extra
piece of information change the way you
view this text? Does this make it more likely
for you to consider it art?
Sunday, February 15, 2009

7. The artistic process
‘Scientific laws are discovered.’
‘Works of art are invented.’ (p.351 VdL)
To what extent do you think these two
statements are true?
Take any work of art, piece of music, or
novel and explain how it has given you a
deeper understanding of some aspect of the
human condition. (p.353 VdL)
Sunday, February 15, 2009

8. Linking Questions
Choose one of the linking questions on page
355 and attempt to answer it. Think about
the key ideas learnt during the last 4 weeks
as part of your response.
Sunday, February 15, 2009

9. Self-Reflection/Journal
What will you take from this unit of work
and how does it change how you approach
the ‘The arts?’ Remember that your
individual response is valid but understanding
why and how you have reached this
conclusion is vital.
Which are the most memorable aspects of
the last 4 weeks for YOU and why?
Sunday, February 15, 2009

10. ...and finally! EMOTION!
Are you sad because you have finished this
unit of work? Don’t worry, this is a natural
emotional response...it’s OK to cry.
Sunday, February 15, 2009