A level English Literature

English Literature


Why should I study English Literature?
English Literature provides you with the opportunity to develop your interest and enjoyment in literary studies. You will explore challenging ideas, as expressed through poetry, prose and drama from different periods. You will be encouraged to develop your own responses to texts, considering other readers' interpretations, with a deepening appreciation of the significance of cultural and historical influences upon readers and writers. The course is of interest to anyone keen to find out about the way literature challenges conventional thinking in the field of human relationships and ideas.

What will I study?
AS Units
Unit 1:
Poetry (post-1900) & Drama 1 post-1990)

Section A:
You will study 2 modern poetry texts: the Irish poet Seamus Heaney's New Selected Poems and another linked text, Owen Sheers' Skirrid Hill.

Section B:
You will study one contemporary drama text.

Unit 2:
Prose Study & Creative Reading

Section A:
Prose Study: You will produce a folder of about 3000 words, first exploring

two
texts from different periods and genres, to be chosen by individual teachers. Examples might be 2 texts by the same author or 2 texts with a similar theme.

Section B:
Creative Reading: You will write a short creative gothic piece in response to a

third
prose text.

A2 Units
Unit 3:
Period & Genre Study

You will produce a folder of about 3000 words exploring comparisons between

3
texts from different periods and genres chosen by individual teachers. Typical topics might be: the treatment of the theme of love in Shakespeare's sonnets, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, and Ted Hughes' Birthday Letters; or an exploration of the gothic horror genre as found in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein,Poe's The Raven, and Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber.

Unit 4:
Poetry (Pre-1800) & Drama 2 (Shakespeare & related drama)

Section A:
You will study 1 poetry text written before 1800. Examination on this text will also include analysis of an unseen short poem from any period.

Section B:
You will study 1 Shakespeare play together with a partner text.

What skills do I need?

• An enthusiasm for reading
  
  
  
• An ability to write fluent essays
  
  
  
• An ability to analyse literature
  
  
  

How will I be taught?
The subject is taught by 2 teachers using a variety of learning methods. There are many opportunities for small group and paired work, as well as independent research, where students consult with teachers on a one-to - one basis. All courses are supported by an online Blackboard site that can be accessed from home.

How is the course assessed?
AS & A Level involves 30% exam and 20% coursework.

Unit 1
: a 2½ hr written exam

Unit 2:
Coursework involves independent essays and a short piece of creative writing

Unit 3:
you will tackle a more ambitious research project.

Unit 4:
is a traditional â€OEclosed book†2½ hr written exam.

What will this course prepare me for?
Typically, these include teaching, the law the civil service, journalism and the media. However, because of its traditional status as a core subject at the heart of the humanities, English Literature graduates are recruited into a very wide range of professions.

Private Study
As an approximate guideline AS subjects require 3-4 hrs of independent study each; A2 subjects 4-5 hrs each and GCSE subjects 2 hrs each.

What materials will I need to purchase?
You may wish to purchase your own copies of the set texts.