IB English 11 HL
IB English 11 HL is the first year in a two-year course of advanced literature study. It is a required course for IB diploma scholars but may be taken as a certificate course as well. The course is designed to develop scholars’ reading and writing skills through a close study of literature from various periods, genres, cultures, and literary styles. In this course, students will be asked to prepare both written and oral persuasive arguments and learn to present their ideas with clarity, coherence, and fluency. The course will also provide students with a broad perspective on literary traditions from around the world and deepen their empathy for people of other cultures and differing perspectives. In the fall, scholars will be introduced to literary analysis and thematic study through the study of two fictional texts chosen from contemporary or classic literature. A third text that has been adapted into a film will be used to develop comparative analysis skills and to explore the differences between literary expression and cinematic expression. In the spring, students will refine their close reading and interpretation skills with detailed study units on a play from Shakespeare, a 19th century novel, and a selection of poetry from a 20th century writer. Scholars will be required to complete an individual oral presentation on one or two texts from the fall curriculum and an individual oral commentary on a selected piece of writing from the spring curriculum to meet the IB course requirements. In June of the first year, IB English scholars will sit for the English Regents Exam to fulfill New York State graduation requirements.
IB English 12 HL
Prerequisite: IB English 11 HL.
IB English 12 HL is the second year in a two-year course of advanced literature study. It is a required course for IB diploma scholars but may be taken as a certificate course as well. The course is designed to develop scholars’ reading and writing skills through a close study of literature from various periods, genres, cultures and literary styles. Students will be asked to prepare both written and oral persuasive arguments and learn to present their ideas with clarity, coherence and fluency. In the first semester, scholars will read and analyze a variety of world literature texts in translation and submit a thematic essay on one of the texts to meet IB course requirements. In the second semester, selected dramatic and poetic texts will be studied in depth in preparation for the final written IB exams in May. See IB English 11 for additional course description.
IB Literature and Performance SL
Junior or senior year
IB Literature and Performance SL is a one-year course that may be used to fulfill the elective requirement of the IB Diploma Program or may be taken as a certificate course. This interdisciplinary course is designed to explore the relationship between language and theater. Scholars will explore a set of core texts through traditional close reading, discussion and critical writing responses and then develop performances based on these texts. By incorporating elements of theatrical performance to their textual interpretations, scholars will be encouraged to develop a personal and passionate connection to literature.
IB Film 11 SL/HL
IB Film 11 is the first year of a two-year film production and analysis course that may be used to fulfill the IB Diploma elective course requirement or may be taken as a certificate course. In this course, scholars will explore the historical, theoretical, psychological, sociological and technical aspects of film. The course is designed to develop scholars’ skills in both interpreting and making film texts by providing opportunities for reflective analysis, cooperative learning and imaginative synthesis of various film elements. In year one, scholars will study all elements of film production including budgeting, marketing and filmmaking techniques. Scholars will explore film theory by studying the history of world cinema including such genres as silent film, screwball comedies, film noir and horror films, as well as the influence of popular culture on film subject matter. Participants in the course will learn how to write, produce, direct, light, edit and market their own films. They will also prepare oral presentations analyzing aspects of contemporary films.
IB Film 12 SL/HL
Prerequisite: IB Film 11 SL/HL.
IB Film 12 is the second year of a two-year film production and analysis course that fulfills the IB Diploma elective requirement or may be taken to complete the certificate course begun in IB Film 11 SL/HL. The course curriculum in the second year includes auteur theory, slasher and possession films, documentary films, and representations of adolescence in the media, amongst other topics. To receive credit towards the IB Diploma or an IB certificate, scholars will be required to complete a script for a film documentary on an aspect of film theory or history and create a short 5-7 minute narrative film accompanied by a written discussion of the production. They will also be required to complete an oral presentation on a film clip drawn from a list of films provided by the IBO.