At AS, the first unit is “Explorations in Prose and Poetry”. Pupils study two or three novels and some poetry from a set list. They also learn how to tackle unseen prose and poetry.
The second unit is “Explorations in Drama”, a folder of two pieces of Coursework on one play by Shakespeare, and one other play written between 1300 and 1800. This second unit is taken in the first January of the course, but may be resubmitted in the summer.
(Right: Mr. J Evans, Head of English)
At A2, the units are “Interpretations of Prose and Poetry”, involving the study of novels and poetry grouped around a common theme and response to unseen prose or poetry, and “Reflections in Literary Studies”, another folder of Coursework on a free choice of texts, linked by theme.
We encourage pupils to take a lively interest in Literature beyond their set texts, and we continue to make use of external stimuli – productions, visits, visitors and, of course, visits to Stratford.
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
You will need to have gained at least a C grade in English at GCSE and enjoy reading.
What will I learn on this Advanced GCE course?
You will learn how to analyse and respond to plays, poems and novels. Your writing skills will develop and you will have the chance to develop your skills as an independent learner.
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
This course is suitable for anyone who enjoys reading literary texts, talking about texts, responding to texts in writing or developing writing skills.
What examinations will I have to take to get my qualifications?
There are two units at AS Level and a further two units at A2 Level.
The AS course, taken in the Lower Sixth, consists of the following two units:
Unit 1 (60% of AS:30% of the A-level)
There will be a 2 hour 15 minutes written examination with three sections. You will be required to answer short questions on either unseen poetry or unseen prose, and then to write longer answers on poetry and prose texts that you have studied. The poetry comes from an anthology, the prose could include novels by Charlotte & Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, Graham Greene, Anthony Burgess, Alice Walker and Kazuo Ishiguro among others.
Unit 2 (40% of AS:20% of the A-level)
This is a coursework unit. You will write a maximum of 2000-2500 words on drama texts. Two responses are required: an explorative study and a creative critical response. Three texts are studied - one by Shakespeare, and one other written between 1300-1800.
The A2 Level course begins at the very end of the Lower Sixth year and continues throughout the Upper Sixth year. The units are detailed below:
Unit 3 (60% of A2:30% of the A-level)
There will be a 2 hour 45 minutes examination with two sections. You will be required to answer questions on an unprepared prose passage or an unprepared poem, and then to write about your response to prose and poetry texts that you have studied. Three texts are studied, one of which must have been published after 1990.
Unit 4 (40% of A2:20% of the A-level)
This is a coursework unit. You will write a maximum of 2500-3000 words on a range of texts that you have chosen to study. Three new texts are studied, and are chosen by the teacher in collaboration with the pupils.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
You can apply to do a degree at University in a wide range of subjects, such as English, journalism, media and communication studies, law, history, modern foreign languages or classics.
By studying literature you will become expert at reading and responding to a wide variety of texts; at interpreting, analysing and gathering and assessing evidence; and at working independently and creatively. In the real world, including the world of work, we are bombarded with texts; the skills that you will learn, therefore, including those of powerful and effective communication, are highly valued by employers.
The Edexcel website, www.edexcel.org.uk, provides further details about the course.