ENGLISH LITERATURE SUBJECT OVERVIEW
English Literature is one in a series of academic subjects necessary for entry into the International Baccalaureate courses and college admissions. English Literature is a four-year requirement. It is an intensive literature program that introduces the students to a variety of classical, contemporary, and multi-cultural literature that reflect the reciprocal nature of the relationship between culture and writing. Students analyze literature to determine how it relates to them and to the world around them. Composition assignments encourage students to improve their skills in the five characteristics of effective writing through narrative, persuasive, and informational pieces.
All courses are steeped in inquiry and project based instruction and require students to
complete a variety of expository and creative assignments, characterized by
independent
academic work and classroom presentations. The literature units include key works for further
study of literature as well as analyses of the novel, drama, short story and poetry. All courses
will require students to embark on interdisciplinary projects that develop research skills and
writing as a core requirement and, in some courses, culminate into formal research papers.
Pre-Diploma English: World Literature (Grade 9)
The ninth grade English curriculum is designed to introduce students to literature that is
concerned with our conceptions, interpretations and experiences of the world. It includes the
study of various genres of literature, composition, and oral communica
tion while developing
students’ grammar and vocabulary skills for improved communication and SAT preparation. The
writing includes
expression of ideas and arguments with clarity, coherence and structure in a
sustained and logical way, which
reinforces the
five characteristics of effective writing
(knowledge of topic, response, literary features, presentation, and use of language) and focuses
on the three modes of writing (persuasive, informational and narrative). The literature units
encompass key works f
or further study and include analyses of the novel, drama, short story and
poetry.
Pre-Diploma English: American Literature (Grade 10)
The tenth grade English curriculum is designed to introduce students to literature that are
concerned with the conceptions and interpretations of the American experience. It includes the
study of various genres of literature, composition, and oral communication while developing and
improving students’ grammar and vocabulary skills for improved communication and SAT
preparation. The writing includes insightful
expression of ideas and analytical arguments with
clarity, coherence and structure in a sustained
and purposeful manner, which
reinforces, and
demonstrates a significant command of, the five characteristics of effective writing (knowledge
of topic, response, literary features, presentation, and use of language) and focuses on the three
modes of writin
g (persuasive, informational and narrative). The course requires a formal MLA
formatted research paper related to the study of literature. The literature units encompass key
works for further study and include analyses of the novel, drama, short story and poetry.
IB LANGUAGE A1
–
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
The Language A1 programme is primarily a pre
-university course in literature. It is aimed at
students who intend to pursue literature or related studies, at university as well as students
whose forma
l study of literature will not continue beyond this level. The former would normally
follow the Higher Level (HL) program and the later Standard Level (SL).
The Language A1 programme encourages students to see literary works as products of art and
their
authors as craftsmen whose methods of production can be analyzed in a variety of ways
and on a number of levels. This is achieved through the emphasis placed on exploring the means
used by different authors to convey their subjects in the works studied.
It is further reinforced
by the comparative framework emphasized for the study of these works in all parts of the programme.
Standard Level (Grades 11 and 12)
Includes a minimum of 11 works of literature from four genres, three periods and with not more
than one author studied twice within a syllabus. In addition, students
must study at least three
World Literature works (some works may be used for more than one group).
Higher Level (Grades 11 and 12)
Includes a minimum of 15 works of literature from four genres, three periods and with not more
than one author studied twice within a syllabus. In addition students must study five World
Literature works (some works may be used in more than one group).