English Literature

Course summary

This course is for students who want to continue studying English Literature after GCSE. It will suit you if you enjoy reading widely from different types of fiction including novels, poetry and plays. It complements other arts and humanities subjects and is particularly useful if you intend to pursue careers in the arts, the media, business, education, law or any other field in which communication and analytical skills are important. You'll study texts from the major literary genres: prose, poetry and drama. Youll explore a central literary theme: 'Love through the ages' examining the representations of love within a Shakespeare play, an anthology of poetry and a prose text. You'll also focus on texts written within a narrower time period: either WW1 and its aftermath, or Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day, also through a poetry, prose and drama text. For the coursework element, you'll work independently, studying a theme of your own choice. You'll produce a comparative study of two texts developing your skills of interpretation, analysis and critical thinking. The course will give you an understanding of the influence of the cultural, historical and social contexts of the texts you are reading. You'll develop the skills to write creatively and persuasively and to respond critically to the material you read.