English Literature
Literature which is designed to appeal to our imagination can provoke many responses: sympathy, fear, delight, even shock. Literature engages your mind and makes you witness scenes and characters far beyond your own experience, enlarging your knowledge and broadening your mind throughout your life.
What is the course content?
The F6rm English Literature course follows the AQA B specification. It is a really exciting and flexible syllabus which allows you to choose some of your own reading. In Unit 1, Aspects of Narrative, you will analyse how writers construct their stories. You will also read narrative poetry; in each genre, there is a choice between modern and classic texts. Unit 2, Dramatic Genres, focuses on Tragedy, and you will study one Shakespeare and one other play. In the second year (A2) Unit 3 asks you to study either the Gothic or the Pastoral genre through a selection of novels, poems and plays. Unit 4 provides an anthology of critical views, e.g. Marxist, feminist, which you can apply to your own choice of reading.
How will you be assessed?
You will write formal literary critical essays every two weeks; in addition we will check that you are building a file of notes on the texts as you read them. You will also be assessed on presentations. The AS exam (on Unit 1) is two hours long, and take the form of two essays on a novel and then one essay comparing an aspect of the other novel with the poetry studied. The coursework requires essays on two tragedies, one of which can be a creative response. The A2 exam is 2 hours on the genre chosen, across the texts. Finally, A2 coursework asks you to apply a critical view to your chosen texts in two essays.
What skills will you learn?
You will learn skills that will be valuable in almost any career, including how to read and take notes effectively, and to select evidence to order into a convincing argument in response to any question the examiner might reasonably ask. You will assess different interpretations and become a critical reader of any kind of literature.
What are the opportunities for progression?
Many degree courses involve the critical study of literature, including English, History, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology, and Law. The knowledge and skills you acquire will be relevant for careers in the media, education, civil and social service, and many others.
What are the entry requirements?
We usually require candidates to have the standard F6rm A-Level entry criteria, including GCSE English and English Literature to at least grade B. You must enjoy literature and be willing to read beyond the set texts, as well as working to make your writing mature and accurate.
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