Finnish A: Literature

Students will focus exclusively on literary texts, adopting a variety of approaches to textual criticism. Students explore the nature of literature, the aesthetic function of literary language and textuality, and the relationship between literature and the world. The students' personal engagement and appreciation of literature will be supported, and the student-centered assessment model will empower their personal voice. 

The model for language A: literature is the same at SL and HL, and some of the assessed components are identical. However, there are also differences between the levels, mostly as regards the number of study hours,  works to be explored as well as assessed coursework.  Most literary works are chosen from the Prescribed reading list published by the International Baccalaureate organization. The works will cover a wide range of topics, genres, authors, languages  and cultural contexts, and the selection will adhere to guidance given in the Language A: literature guide as well as the IB Mission statement and the Learner profile. Students will be given access to all  written guidance, also relating to assessment, at the beginning of the course. 

  Higher level   Standard level  

Literary works studied during DP1 and DP2 Literary works studied during DP1 and DP2

Number of works originally written in Finnish: 5 Number of works originally written in Finnish: 4

Number of works in translation: 4 Number of works in translation: 3

Number of works chosen freely outside the list: 4                          Number of works chosen freely outside the list: 2 

 Assessment

Individual oral: A recorded 15-minute oral exam
Both HL and SL students deliver an oral presentation, which focuses on a global issue of their choice and which is explored through two extracts chosen from the works they have studied.

Paper 1 (2 h 15 min): Two guided analyses on two         Paper 1 (1 h 15 min): One guided analysis on  an unseen unseen literary texts   literary text (chosen from two options)

Paper 2 (1 h 45 min): Comparative essay Paper 2 (1 h 45 min): Comparative essay  
Both HL and SL students answer a question of their choice and write a comparative response based on at least two of the works they have studied. 

HL essay: An essay of 1200–1500 words exploring a line of inquiry chosen by the student, based on a work studied during the course.

NB! The self-taught, school supported mother tongue Language A has slightly different syllabus and assessment details. Students with this option will get the relevant info from their Language A contact person in the school (Ms Johanna Karhumäki).