Class Information

IB Language A Literature HL II

​     This yearlong class involves detailed and comparative studies of prose, non-prose, poetry, and drama. Upon completion of studying four works in translation (two having been taught in HL I) each student will prepare and deliver his/her Individual Oral by selecting two passages, one from a work in translation and another from a work studied in HL I or HL II, to identify a prominent global issue. The Individual Oral is administered in December 2022 and moderated by IB as an internal assessment.
     IB Language A Literature HL II students should anticipate reading closely, annotating each text, memorizing myriad pieces of evidence, and refining critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing skills to earn the IB Diploma. This is a rigorous college-level class where deadlines matter, as do directions.
     We begin the year with a deep dive into our summer reading text: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (978-0385490818). Students need to annotate their own copy of the text, which is due the first day of class. Go to Summer Reading Page for more details.
     The other texts being studied in 2022-2023 include the following:
  • Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (978-0375714573)
  • A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen (978-0141194561)
  • The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy (978-0571199952)
  • Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion (978-0374531386)
  • Fences by August Wilson (978-0452264014)
  • Othello (Pelican Series) by William Shakespeare (978-0143128618)
  • Arcadia by Tom Stoppard (978-0802126993)
Please purchase these specific editions as noted by ISBNs; we will be discussing the books and need to be on the same page.
​     Instruction for expanding analytical skills, developing a confident voice in one's writing, and crafting commentary will include Paideia discussions, podcast creation, blog creation & maintenance, etc. Assessments at the conclusion of each text are framed around IB Paper One rubric. Paper One for HL is comprised of two commentaries of two separate unseen works and Paper Two for HL is a comparative analysis. Both will be completed during IB testing in May 2023. 

Literature & Film


​In this elective, students study films ranging from classics to present-day award-winning movies, striving to analyze the plot and the methods by which the director establishes mood and meaning.  A keen exploration of lighting, sound, dialogue, etc., leads students to refine their critical thinking skills, as they are encouraged to learn how to read in the dark during their study of film. 
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Students, for the most up-to-date information about assignments and deadlines, please find syllabi and other pertinent class information on Canvas.
Cheers,
Mrs. Osburn