DP Danish Literature at GESS (HL or SL)

Students learn about the various manifestations of literature as a powerful mode of writing across cultures and throughout history. They explore and develop an understanding of factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature, such as: 

🔹 the creativity of writers and readers 

🔹 the nature of the interaction with the writers’ and readers’ respective contexts and with literary tradition 

🔹 how language can give rise to meaning and/or effect 

🔹 the performative and transformative potential of literary creation and response

Prerequisites: Minimum MYP Language and Literature at a level 5 preferred for this subject as it requires good literary analysis skills.

💠 Why Study Danish Literature at GESS?

Through close analysis of literary texts in several forms and from different times and places, students consider their own interpretations, as well as the critical perspectives of others. In turn, this will encourage the exploration of how viewpoints are shaped by cultural belief systems and how meanings are negotiated within them. Students are involved in processes of critical response and creative production, which help shape their awareness of how texts work to influence the reader and how readers open up the possibilities of texts. With its focus on literature, this course is particularly concerned with developing sensitivity to the aesthetic uses of language and empowering students to consider how literature represents and constructs the world and social and cultural identities. 

💠 Assessment

🔸 Internal Assessment (IA) – Individual Oral (IO):  A spoken analysis connecting two studied texts to a global issue.
🔸 Examinations:
Paper 1 (SL & HL) – Unseen analysis of one text (SL) / two texts (HL), assessing textual interpretation and analysis.
Paper 2 (SL & HL) – Comparative essay on two studied literary works, evaluating authorial choices such as themes, techniques, etc. in response to an unseen prompt.

HL Essay (HL Only) – A 1,200–1,500-word critical essay on a studied work, focusing on authorial choices and deeper meaning.

💠 Choosing Between HL and SL

🔹 Higher Level (HL): HL students study 10 literary works, explore advanced critical theory, and complete an additional HL Essay. In their P1 textual analysis, they must analyse both given texts.   
🔹 Standard Level (SL): SL students will study 7 literary works and explore advanced critical theory. In their P1 textual analysis, SL students have a choice between two texts. In their P1 textual analysis, SL students have a choice between two texts. 

💠 Key Concepts and Sample Literary Works

We engage with novels, plays, poetry, and short story collections from Denmark, Chile, Norway, and Japan.

Representation, Perspective & Transformation

Det forsømte forår, Hans Scherfig, novel (HL)

Åndernes hus, Isabel Aleende, novel (translated)

Jeppe på bjerget, Ludvig Holberg, drama

Identity, Culture & Perspective

Et dukkehjem, Henrik Ibsen, drama (translated)

Babettes gæstebud, Karen Blixen, novel

Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne, Peter Høeg, novel (HL)

Nakanos genbrugsbutik, Hiromi Kamakawi, novel (translated)

Creativity, Identity & Communication

Alfabetet, Inger Christensen, poetry collection

Dette burde skrives i nutid, Helle Helle, novel

Bavian, Naja-Marie Aidt, Short story collection