English Literature

Course summary

English literature follows a contemporary approach to Literature which subscribes to the ‘Death of the Author ’ theory and is interested in individual responses to the texts that individuals read and experience. The specification welcomes quirky and independent interpretations of canonical and modern texts, and the coursework unit allows students the opportunity to make their own independent choices of texts to explore. In particular, two specific genres will be studied: Aspects of Tragedy, a traditional literary genre that focuses on the dangers of pride and ambition through flawed characters, and Elements of Crime Writing: a modern and popularist genre that focuses on the elements of crime writing employed by writers to question the natures of innocence and criminality. Students of English Literature are open to a wide variety of careers including Law, Journalism, Marketing and Academia.