The TOK exhibition is focused on one of the 35 prompts and three “objects” chosen by the students. This article could be used as an object. Consider how this article fits the prompts below.
BBC article “China pressure ‘undermining Australian universities’, report says”
“Chinese pro-democracy students in Australia experience harassment and fear punishment if they speak out on sensitive issues, a new report says. Human Rights Watch found such students feel surveilled in Australia, leading many to self-censor in classrooms. Academics teaching China courses in the country say they have also felt pressure to censor themselves. China’s embassy in Canberra strongly rejected the report on Wednesday, calling it “biased”. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-57647418
21. What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?
There are very different ways in which freedom of thought is treated or accepted in Chinese vs. Australian culture. These different views of freedom have a significant impact on the kinds of knowledge that Chinese and Australian citizens acquire (or are allowed to acquire).
22. What role do experts play in influencing our consumption or acquisition of knowledge?
It may be a stretch to call all individual journalists “experts” but some clearly all experts in their field of expertise. One could also label the BBC as a whole a group of “experts” given its high standards for news reporting. Their reporting of this incident is clearly influential and how it is reported will differ considerable for how it is reported in China due to government censorship.
23. How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?
This prompt is not a good match for this particular “object.”
24. How might the context in which knowledge is presented influence whether it is accepted or rejected?
Context is a huge element of this news article and its acceptance or rejection. Consider Australian public opinion on how the Chinese government operates and how that affects whether or not Australians will be accepting of Chinese influence. The Chinese government’s rejection of the report saying is is “biased” is also clearly rooted in context.
25. How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?
With this prompt you must first come a general understanding of the differences between these three terms. Then, consider how they apply to this particular news article.