English Literature
A Level English Literature aims to extend enjoyment and appreciation of a variety of literature drawn from a wide range of literary periods and genres.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Description
As part of the course, students will discover aspects of a central literary theme as seen over time, using unseen material and set texts. Students will also explore aspects of literature connected through a particular period, either ‘Love through the Ages’ or ‘Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day’, considering its social, political, personal and literary legacies.
Throughout the topics, students are encouraged to work independently and to read widely across authors and times to allow them to encounter and reference a range of ideas and opinions relevant to the central area of study. They will have the opportunity to complete a comparative critical study of two texts, considering similarity and difference, critical views and interpretations, as well as developing and expanding on themes of their own interest.
Texts we cover include: The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley, AQA’s poetry anthology (focusing on pre-1900 poems), A Streetcar Named Desire, The Winter’s Tale, A Doll’s House and either The Handmaid’s Tale and The Feminine Gospels or Waterland and Skirrid Hill.
Students also have the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom. Trips often depend on theatre productions and their links to what we are studying. Recently, students went to The Globe for a study day about The Winter’s Tale, delivered by Globe actors and combining performance context as well as practical exploration of the texts.
Assessment
This is a linear course. This means that students opting for this subject will be committing to a two year course with one non-exam assessment unit and two examinations at the end of Year 13.
Entry Requirements
A Grade 5 or higher in GCSE English Literature is required
English Literature on Spotify
Mr Robbins’ Poetry Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/4fQUiAeNIQk1v5HIXLncTA?si=b3db9fc8521a4f12
Where might it lead?
A Level English Literature can help open doors to careers as:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Broadcaster
- Campaigner
- Critic
- Editor
- Film/TV Production
- Journalism
- Law
- Librarian
- Newscaster
- Newspaper/Magazine Editor
- Politics
- Public Relations Officer
- Publishing
- Researcher
- Teacher
- Web Content Manager
- Writer
Student Destinations
Laura Mills
2024 Offers from:
- University of Oxford: English Language and Literature
- University of Nottingham: English
- University of Bristol: English
Beatrix Youd
2024 Offers from:
- University of Portsmouth: Screenwriting
- University of Winchester: Film Studies and Screenwriting
