Why English Literature?
This course is ideal for any students who enjoy reading literature and going to the theatre. Students will learn the skills of interpretation of poetry, prose and drama and the skills of analysing and evaluating differing interpretations. Close reading of texts is central to this course, but literature will be studied in context. The relationships between texts and the relationships between texts and the worlds in which they were written and are read today will now be more important than studying texts in isolation.
Course Overview
Unit 1 - Explorations in Prose and Poetry
Students learn how to comment on key features of chosen texts. They learn how to compare and contrast the poems they have studied on the theme of Home or Land or Work in the chosen anthology. Students will learn how to write essays which focus upon their core text in order to establish their argument and also refer to their second text to develop their line of argument, e.g. ‘Pride & Prejudice’ by Jane Austen and ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by Gilman.
Unit 2 - Explorations in Drama
Students explore at least one Shakespeare play, a second play written between 1300 and 1800, and critical reviews. They are required to produce an Explorative Study and a Creative Critical Response to the texts.
Unit 3 - Interpretations of Prose and Poetry
Students learn how to explore structure, form and language in poems and prose. They also study how to respond to at least two of the three texts studied within a particular thematic grouping in the light of a reader’s comment, eg. the Relationships grouping includes ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernières, ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy and ‘Rapture’ by Carol Ann Duffy.
Unit 4 - Reflections in Literary Studies
A choice of three texts will be studied and they may relate to each other in a variety of ways - such as by movement, period or author. Students will be examined on one extended study referring to all three, two shorter studies each referring to more than one text, or a creative response with an accompanying commentary.
Assessment
AS Level is assessed by written examination for Explorations in Prose and Poetry and by coursework for Explorations in Drama. A2 Level is assessed by a written examination on Interpretations of Prose and Poetry and coursework on Reflections in Literary Studies.
Beyond A Level
English can combine with any A level subject to provide a solid entry base for most university courses – both Arts and Sciences. This is because successful English candidates will have demonstrated the ability to express themselves with clarity and perception whilst analysing complex texts. English is a very popular subject at university. Graduates proceed to professions such as law, journalism, accountancy, business management, politics, media and teaching.