Summer Assignments

IB THEATRE ARTS 2 (SL) - PRODUCTION PROPOSAL SUMMER PROJECT (Due Date: August 13th by midnight)

STUDENT will choose a published play text that they have not previously studied and formulate a vision for the design and theoretical staging of the entire play text for an audience. Their ideas are then presented in the form of a written Production Proposal. They are NOT required to actually stage the play. They should imagine directing and producing a play how they have always imagined it!

The BASIC requirements of the Production Proposal

·         Your objective with the Production Proposal is to communicate your vision for the feasible staging of a play text for a live audience.

·         You will approach this task using TWO perspectives - that of the director and that of the designer. 

·         Your finished work will be a maximum of 12 pages of written text and images, and written text must not exceed 4,000 words. 

·         Your work will explain how performance and production elements could potentially work on stage to fulfill theatre-maker intentions. 

·         You will write your proposal in the first person and include visual production design ideas and images to help communicate your vision. 

·         The production proposal articulates your vision for the final staging of the play text.  

·         You are not required to consider a hypothetical rehearsal process in this task.


Theory of Knowledge Junior Year Summer Assignment (c/o 24)

  1. Choose one object that you have around your home or that you have found in the natural world that best answers the following question: What is knowledge? Write a no more than two hundred (200) word justification explaining why you chose this object and how does it answer the question.
  2. Acquire and read a copy of Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. In a journal excerpt, briefly describe at least five (5) anecdotes that you found enlightening or intriguing (at least one paragraph per anecdote).  Explain why it appeals to you. Give each anecdote its own title or heading, and date each one. 

Theory of Knowledge Senior Year Summer Assignment (c/o 24)

TOK 2 will continue to explore the concept of knowledge as a justified true belief with our focus on the external assessment: the TOK essay. In order to elaborate on our understanding, it is important for you to complete the following assignments prior to the first day of school.

  1.  Familiarize yourself with the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. We will continue to use it in our discussions, and it will be instrumental throughout the year.
  2.  Choose one of the “prescribed titles” from the list below and write a complete, original essay in response. Address the topic of your choice exactly as it is—do not modify it.

If you use any sources, you must give them credit through proper internal documentation and a works cited list at the end of the paper.

(Reprinted from Theory of Knowledge: Prescribed Essay Titles for May 2017)

1. “It is only knowledge produced with difficulty that we truly value.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

2. “Facts are needed to establish theories but theories are needed to make sense of facts.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.

3. Should key events in the historical development of areas of knowledge always be judged by the standards of their time?

4. “In the production of knowledge, traditions of areas of knowledge offer correctives for how we produce knowledge.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

5. Given access to the same facts, how is it possible that there can be disagreement between experts in a discipline? Develop your answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.

6. “Humans are pattern-seeking animals and we are adept at finding patterns whether they exist or not” (adapted from Michael Shermer). Discuss knowledge questions raised by this idea in two areas of knowledge.

Be sure to remember your guidelines:

* The essay must be typed and double-spaced, in a 12-point conventional font.

* The essay should be 1,400-1,600 words.

* You must submit a hard copy.

* Utilize the rubric found on the IB website (search for TOK 2020 essay rubric).