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English Literature

Course Specification

Subject Specific Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in English Language & English Literature.

In addition to the general entrance requirements.

Costs Associated with this Course

Students are expected to purchase the text studied - we are usually able to sell these to students at approximately half the retail price (approx. £3.00 per text).

Do you…

- enjoy reading novels, plays and poems from different genres and time periods?

- have an interest in the context surrounding literary texts?

- want to improve your skills in critical reading, analysis and evaluation?

- thrive on working independently and reading widely?

How will you be assessed?

A-level English Literature is a two year course. At the end of Y13 you will sit two exams: Paper 1 is 2hrs 30 mins and Paper 2 is 3hrs, worth 80% of your A-level. As well as this, you will complete two pieces of coursework that account for 20% of your final A-level grade. Paper 1 assesses you on tragedy texts and Paper 2, which is open book, assesses you on Political and Social Protest Writing.

Offering clear progression from GCSE, the course allows you to build on the skills and knowledge already gained and prepare for your next steps. The variety of assessment styles used, such as passage-based questions, unseen material, single text questions, multiple text questions, open- and closed-book approaches, allows you to develop a wide range of skills, such as the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research which are valuable for both further study and future employment.

What will I study?

During the whole course, you will study a range of different texts including a Shakespearean play, modern play, three novels and poetry collections, all dating from the 1500s to 2000s. The course offers engaging and up-to-date specifications that approach the reading and study of literature through the lens of genre and theory, encouraging the independent study of a range of texts within a shared context, giving logic and meaning to the way that texts are grouped for study. This unifying approach facilitates the inclusion of a range of wider reading, thus extending your experience and appreciation of literature. Possible genres for study include tragedy; comedy; political and social protest writing; and crime writing.

The coursework element allows you to pursue your own line of inquiry by applying different theoretical and critical methods to texts including Feminist, Marxist and Eco-critical approaches.

How will this course support my future plans?

English Literature is seen as a well-respected and highly academic course by universities, especially those in the Russell Group. The analytical and argumentative skills developed over the course make it ideal for the post A Level study of subjects such as law, journalism, teaching and other creative pursuits. It is a broad subject combining and developing many skills that students find are applicable to their future vocational paths.

Student thoughts:

"The teachers are really passionate which makes you love the subject even more."

"English Literature is an amazing subject that leaves everlasting skills and tools that can assist in all aspects of life."

"I think English is great fun because it allows me to develop analytical and writing skills whilst exploring new texts that I find interesting."

"English Literature is an academic and thought provoking subject."

For more information on the course specifications click the link below:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/a-level/english-7717/specification/specification-at-a-glance