Philosophy: Why should I study Literature?

Literature is concerned with our conceptions, interpretations and experiences of the world. The study of literature examines the way it represents the complex pursuits, anxieties, joys and fears to which human beings are exposed in the daily business of living. It enables an exploration of one of the more enduring fields of human creativity, and provides opportunities for encouraging independent, original, critical and clear thinking. It also promotes respect for the imagination and a perceptive approach to the understanding and interpretation of literary works.

Through the study of a wide range of texts, this course encourages students to appreciate literature as a craft and to reflect critically on their reading. Works are studied in their literary and cultural contexts, through close study of individual texts and passages, and by considering a range of critical approaches. In order to reflect the IB’s international scope and its commitment to intercultural understanding, some texts will be read in translation. The response to the study of literature is through oral and written communication, thus enabling students to develop and refine their command of language.

Course Content: What will I be studying?

The course is divided into three parts, allowing students to explore different aspects of language, literature and performance: 

Readers, writers and texts aims to introduce students to the notion and purpose of literature and the ways in which texts can be read, interpreted and responded to.

Time and space draws attention to the fact that texts are not isolated entities, but are connected to space and time.

Intertextuality: connecting texts focuses on the connections between and among diverse texts, traditions, creators and ideas. 

In Danish A, the texts chosen for study might include the following:  

Francois Voltaire: Candide; Henrik Ibsen: Et dukkehjem; Ludvig Holberg: Jeppe på Bjerget; Knud Sønderby: Midt i en jazztid; collection of poetry by Adam Oehlenschläger og Tom Kristensen; Gisle Surssøns Saga; noveller af Blicher; Hans Kirk: Fiskerne; Isabell Allende: Åndernes hus; Morten Ramsland: Hundehoved; Naja Marie Aidt: Bavian; Helle Helle: Hus og Hjem; Herman Bang: Ved Vejen; Hassan Preisler: Brun mands byrde; Niviaq Korneliussen: Homo Sapienne

How will I be assessed?

Prerequisites - What do I need to know before choosing Danish A

Danish A is a course suited to native or near native speakers of Danish. To study Literature A at HL, students would normally have achieved a 5 or more in MYP in a Danish (First Language course). To study Danish Literature at SL, students would normally have achieved a 4 in MYP in a Danish (First Language) course.

What will allow me to be successful? 

• Read widely (fiction, non-fiction, media texts)

• Keep a commonplace!:)

• Write a lot - for pleasure as well as duty. 

• Follow debates on contemporary issues (social, cultural, political etc.)

What can I do with the study of Literature in the future? 

Literature remains a great course to study at university: it is a highly-regarded degree that can launch undergraduates into all manner of careers. All universities offer Literature courses, and the subject combines well with History, Modern Languages, Drama , Creative Writing or as part of a Liberal Arts degree. Danish A HL is equivalent to 'Dansk A' when considering requirements for entry to Danish universities.