AS/A2 English Literature (level 3)

This course is designed to enable you to:

• Experience and respond to a wide range of texts through discussion, analysis and writing
• Learn how to analyse and discuss the techniques that writers and speakers use to communicate depending on the audience and purpose
• Communicate through well-planned and clearly structured essays
• Become an independent and reflective reader and writer

Is it for me?

The course suits those who enjoy reading widely both modern and classic texts. You should enjoy responding to texts in a critical way in detail, relishing the chance to discuss writers’ techniques in the form of written essays.

What’s involved?

Year 1

You will be studying some of the most powerful literature written about The First World War by those who had first-hand experience of it as well as those who have written texts long after it ended. You will read a range of texts both independently and in class, including: fiction, diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, plays, poetry and drama. The poetry collection is varied and reveals a range of attitudes to and experiences of The War, including officers, soldiers, women and even ghosts.

The two novels that you will study are, ‘Strange Meeting’ (1971) by Susan Hill and ‘Regeneration’ (1991) by Pat Barker. You will study two very different plays set in trenches and the Home Front: ‘Journey’s End (1928) by RC Sherriff and ‘The Accrington Pals’ (1982) by Peter Whelan. We also try to see a performance of these plays if they are available.

(40% coursework and 60% exam).

Year 2

The theme for the A2 year is ‘Love Through the Ages’ where we take you on a literary journey from the 14th Century (Chaucer), through to Shakespeare in the 17th Century, the Romantic poets of the 18th Century and into more recent times with 20th Century American Literature (The Great Gatsby and A View from the Bridge) and a range of modern poetry and prose.

You will write an extended comparative essay on three texts of your choice, one of which will be ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare which will be submitted for the coursework unit.

You will learn and practise close reading skills of unseen texts linked by the theme of ‘Love through the Ages’ in order to prepare you for the exam.

(40% coursework and 60% examination).

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C including English Language.

Which courses go well with this?

This course combines well with media, film, communication studies and other humanities, arts or other courses. This course may be taken with English Language if you have a keen interest in English Studies. This course cannot be taken with the combined English Language & Literature Advanced Level courses.

Progression:

English Literature will give you a wide range of options when you progress to university including English degrees, Teaching, Journalism and it complements many other subjects.