In this course, students study a wide range of literary and non-literary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies and critical discourse analysis among others.
Year 1 | Literary works: | Non-Literary Bodies of Works under the authorship of: | Assessment form targeted |
| Toni Morrison – The Bluest Eye
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| Carol Ann Duffy – Poetry (Anthology of 15 poems)
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| Moshin Hamid – Exit West |
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Year 2 | Literary works: | A variety of Non-Literary texts | Assessment form targeted |
| Emile Zola – Therese Raquin | Advertisement, Short Film/television, Infographic, Magazine, newspaper article, Manifesto, Cartoon, Brochure/leaflet, Travel writing, Photographs, Opinion Columns, Correspondence, Blog entry, etc. |
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| Kate Chopin – The Awakening |
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| Friedrich Durrenmatt – The Visit |
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Language B is a language acquisition course designed for students with some previous experience of the target language. In the language B course, students further develop their ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works, as appropriate to the level of the course.
Standard Level
External assessment (3 hours)
Paper 1: Guided textual analysis (1 hour 15 minutes) The paper consists of two non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Students choose one passage and write an analysis of it. (20 marks) | 35% |
Paper 2: Comparative essay (1 hour 45 minutes) The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question students write a comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course. (30 marks) | 35% |
Internal assessment
This component consists of an individual oral which is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Individual oral (15 minutes) Supported by an extract from one non-literary body of work and one from a literary work, students will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to the following prompt: Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the works and one of the bodies of work that you have studied. (40 marks) | 30% |
Higher Level
External assessment (4 hours)
Paper 1: Guided textual analysis (2 hours 15 minutes) The paper consists of two non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Students write an analysis of each of the passages. (40 marks) | 35% |
Paper 2: Comparative essay (1 hour 45 minutes) The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question students write a comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course. (30 marks) | 25% |
HL essay Students submit an essay on one non-literary body of work, or a literary work studied during the course. (20 marks) The essay must be 1,200-1,500 words in length. | 20% |
Internal assessment
This component consists of an individual oral which is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
Individual oral (15 minutes)
Supported by an extract from both one non-literary body of work and one from a literary work, students will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to the following prompt:
Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the works and one of the bodies of work that you have studied. (40 marks)
Syllabus component | Teaching hours | |
SL | HL | |
Readers, writers and texts Non-literary texts are chosen from a variety of sources and media to represent as wide a range of text types as possible, and literary works are chosen from a variety of literary forms. The study of the non-literary texts and literary works focuses on the nature of language and communication and the nature of literature and its study. This study includes the investigation of how texts themselves operate as well as the contexts and complexities of production and reception. Focus is on the development of personal and critical responses to the particulars of communication. | 50 | 80 |
Time and space Non-literary texts and literary works are chosen from a variety of sources, literary forms and media that reflect a range of historical and/or cultural perspectives. Their study focuses on the contexts of language use and the variety of ways literary and non-literary texts might both reflect and shape society at large. The focus is on the consideration of personal and cultural perspectives, the development of broader perspectives, and an awareness of the ways in which context is tied to meaning. | 50 | 80 |
Intertextuality: connecting texts Non-literary texts and literary works are chosen from a variety of sources, literary forms and media in a way that allows students an opportunity to extend their study and make fruitful comparisons. Their study focuses on intertextual relationships with possibilities to explore various topics, thematic concerns, generic conventions, modes or literary traditions that have been introduced throughout the course. The focus is on the development of critical response grounded in an understanding of the complex relationships among texts. | 50 | 80 |
Total teaching hours | 150 | 240 |
Being a self-taught student offers a unique opportunity to study the literature of a language that may not be offered at your school as a taught subject. A certain level of autonomy is expected, for example you will be asked to develop a list of literary works and a timeline. You will also be expected to autonomously administer the 150 hours required for the study of the course.
Language A: literature SSST is similar to the taught course, which is built on the notion of conceptual learning. This means that the course is organized around concepts, or big ideas, which makes it easier to form connections between subjects and between parts of a course. Concepts are important as they are applicable and transferable to real-life situations. In this course, the central concepts are culture, communication, transformation, perspective, creativity, representation and identity. When reading and studying a literary work, you should explore how it relates to these concepts.
This will help to:
The course is organized into three areas of exploration which blend together while each providing a focus for investigation:
Standard Level
Paper 1: Guided textual analysis (1 hour 15 minutes) The paper consists of two non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Students choose one passage and write an analysis of it. (20 marks) | 35% |
Paper 2: Comparative essay (1 hour 45 minutes) The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question students write a comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course. (30 marks) | 35% |
This component consists of an individual oral which is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Individual oral (15 minutes) Supported by an extract from one non-literary body of work and one from a literary work, students will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to the following prompt: Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the works and one of the bodies of work that you have studied. (40 marks) | 30% |
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