The course comprises four modules over two years. This specification has been designed to help learners develop:

• An interest in wide and independent reading;

• The ability to engage creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them;

• The means to effectively apply their knowledge of literary evaluation in speech and writing;

• The ability to explore the contexts of the texts they are reading and others’ interpretations of them;

• Their understanding of the changing traditions of literature in English.

The pupils who complete the first two modules, and are successful in the examination at the end of the Year 13, are awarded an AS Level. This course and qualification provide an opportunity to broaden students’ post-16 education as well as a basis for progression to the full Advanced GCE (A2-Level) which is awarded after the completion of the remaining two modules and success in the examination at the end of Year 14.

The AS Modules

AS 1: The Study of Drama

• Section A – The Study of Shakespeare (one play studied)

• Section B – The Study of a Twentieth Century Dramatist (two plays studied)

Internal Assessment of two pieces of work, one based on Section A and the other on Section B. 40% of AS Level, 20% of actual A-Level.

AS 2: The Study of Poetry Written after 1800 and The Study of Prose 1800-1945:

• Section A – The Study of Poetry Written after 1800 (two poets studied)

• Section B – The Study of Prose 1800-1945 (one text studied)

External Assessment – 2 hour exam. Section A will be open book; Section B will be closed book. 60% of AS Level, 30% of actual A-Level.

The A2 Modules

A2 1: The Study of Poetry 1300-1800 and Drama

• Section A – The Study of Poetry 1300-1800 (one text studied)

• Section B – Drama 1300-1800 (two texts studied)

External Assessment – 2 hour exam. Section A will have an extract/poem provided; Section B will be closed book. 50% of A2 Level, 25% of overall A-Level.

A2 2: The Study of Prose – theme based

• Section A – Close analysis of an extract from a post 1990 novel on a given theme (one text studied)

• Section B – Comparison of two novels on the same theme as that chosen for Section A (two texts studied) External Assessment – 2 hour exam. Section A is open book; Section B is closed book. 50% of A2 Level, 25% of overall A-Level.

Entry Requirements

Minimum requirement for entry to this subject is a B in English Literature at GCSE. _______________________________________________________________________________