English Literature

English Literature AS and A2
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The AS course aims to: help you to develop into a confident, independent and reflective reader of a range of texts encourage you to express your responses effectively help you to understand and use critical concepts encourage you to reflect on your own and other readers†interpretations of texts and to develop awareness of the contexts in which texts are written The A2 course aims to: broaden and deepen the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in the AS course encourage you to use detailed knowledge of texts to explore comparisons and connections between them encourage you to appreciate the significance of cultural and historical influences upon readers and writers

AS COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT
The AS course is made up of TWO units. You will read six texts within the specific area of study "The Struggle for Identity in Modern Literature". Three texts will be studied in detail and must come from each genre (poetry, prose, drama), the other three texts are for wider reading and contextual support.

Unit One (60%) will be assessed by an examination. This unit assesses the poetry set text plus wider reading. Unit Two (40%) will be assessed through coursework. This unit assesses the set prose and drama texts. You will produce a coursework folder containing two pieces of writing â€" about 2,000 words in total.

A2 COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT
The A2 course will build on the skills developed in the AS course. It is also made up of TWO units. Again, three texts will be studied in detail (one of these will be a Shakespeare play), plus candidates must read widely.

Unit Three (60%) will be assessed through an examination. Unprepared passages must be read and compared, on the theme of "Love through the Ages".
Unit Four (40%) will be assessed through coursework. One essay will be written, comparing a Shakespeare play and two other texts. You will produce 3,000 - 3,500 words

HOW WILL I STUDY?
Teaching will be through a variety of techniques including class discussion, lectures, small group discussion, drama, video and tutorials. You will be asked to work in various ways including taking notes, writing essays, giving presentations, reading widely and undertaking independent research. Homework will be set on a regular basis including reading sections of text, making notes, preparing for an oral presentation and producing written pieces. Tutorial support will be available to all students. Additional activities will be organised where appropriate, including theatre trips, conferences, working with visiting speakers and writing workshops.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
As part of an advanced level programme, a minimum of 4 G.C.S.E.s at grade C or above (or the equivalent) including English at grade C or above.

LENGTH OF COURSE
AS level is one year, followed by a second year for those progressing to A2 level.

WHERE NEXT?
All universities and employers recognise that a student with an English Literature A level qualification is one who has developed skills in: spoken and written communication interpretation of a range of texts critical analysis of texts and ideas Consequently, this subject enables students to move on to a wide range of other courses and employment opportunities where such skills are important.

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