English Literature

Module

Module Content

AS

UNIT 1

Aspects of Narrative

This unit will introduce you to the ways in which narrative texts work.  You will approach narrative in a broad sense, developing an understanding of how narratives are constructed by authors and of the different ways in which texts may be responded to by readers. We will study four texts – two novels and two poetry texts – and will answer two questions in the examination.  The first will require a detailed response to one text and the second will require you to compare aspects of narrative across the remaining three texts. The set texts are The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and a range of poetry by Keats and Coleridge.

Exam

2 hours

60% of AS marks

30% of total A Level marks

AS

UNIT 2

Dramatic Genres

This unit introduces you to aspects of genre, in particular to the dramatic genre of tragedy.  We will study two plays, Shakespeare’s Othello and Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller. The coursework portfolio will include two pieces of work, one on each play, exploring an aspect of the dramatic/tragic genre.

Coursework

40% of AS marks

20% of total A level marks

A2

UNIT 3

Texts and Genres

This unit develops ideas on the significance of genre which have been established during the AS course.  You will study at least three texts from the chosen genre, Elements of the Pastoral.  We will explore the texts in terms of the characteristics of the genre. You will answer two questions in the examination.  One will require a detailed response to one text. The second will ask you to compare aspects of the chosen topic across at least three texts.

The texts are Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, As You Like It by William Shakespeare and a selection of poetry from the Anthology.

Exam

2 hours

60% of total A2 marks

30% of total A level marks

A2

UNIT 4

Further and Independent Reading

This unit will cover a wide range of texts, some of which you can choose for yourself.  The unit explores different approaches to reading texts for study, including reading independently.  You will also be introduced to a variety of critical ideas and will learn how to apply them to literary texts.  You will need to read at least three texts, including an anthology of critical material. You will produce two pieces of work for your coursework portfolio.  One will be a comparative study of an aspect of two texts of your choice.  The second will be an application of critical ideas to at least one text of your choice.

Coursework

40% of A2 marks

20% of total