Why choose Literature over Language and Lit.?

[taolangpo]

Ex-I/GCSE student here about to join the Diploma Programme. I took English Language and English Literature in Year 11. Perhaps I have asked a hackneyed question but why should I choose Literature over Lang/Lit? (I chose Lang/Lit HL with my DP Coordinator)

If, say, I wanted to take Interational Relations in uni, which one should I take? How about majoring in History? Thank you

[Sandwich]

To be honest unless you're applying for English most Universities probably won't realise that you're doing L&L rather than Lit and count them similarly. Technically Lit is the 'harder' course but as I said, it makes little difference to outcome in terms of Uni applications. If you're applying to the UK they may see 'language' and realise (thanks to the existence of A Level English Language courses), but on the other hand 'literature' is still in the title of L&L so it depends on how informed they are. It's more up to you and how you were at GCSE level. 

[Clockwork]

It does not matter if you do Lit or Lang/Lit if you major in History. Although if you are planning to, universities would like you to do HL History and prefer you to do HL English Lit or Lang/Lit. Either way, it is your choice. 

 

I am planning to major in History, I chose Lang/Lit over Lit because from the HL Lit booklist in my school, I do not enjoy most of the novels we will be studying, on the other hand I am looking forward to the Lang/Lit booklist. I would rather be studying something I enjoy and get a higher mark in IB than to do a course that I would not enjoy. 

[cricketcrazynerd]

Literature completely revolves around analysing literary works. Language and literature has an additional creative writing aspect. Choose whatever subject that appeals to you the most... both count as English A, so universities won't really mind whichever one you end up choosing.