Course description
Study a wide range of texts from the 16th to the 21st century across the literary genres of drama, prose and poetry.
A Level English Literature develops your textual analysis and critical writing skills, and increases your understanding of texts through group discussion, close reading and essay writing.
It will appeal to you if you enjoy reading and exploring texts closely.
An A Level in English Literature will allow you to study a broad range of humanities subjects at university, since the analytical and conceptual skills that you will acquire are transferable. English is a subject valued by universities.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
5 GSCEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths. A GCSE in English Literature at grade 6 is essential.
Training Course Content
Students studying English Literature at City of Oxford College will be following AQA English Literature specification A. This specification approaches literary study through exploration of texts that are thematically linked, in their different historical contexts.
The course is structured around two units, taught over the two-year A level course:
- Love through the Ages: Shakespeare, poetry and prose
- Texts in Shared Contexts: Modern Times, English literature post-1945
Studying English Literature, students will develop skill and confidence in their close reading of texts and in presenting their ideas in coherent, analytical writing. They will develop an understanding of literary texts in the contexts in which they were produced, and learn to think about the ways in which our contexts inform our responses to literature.
At AS, students will study F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Shakespeare's Othello and a collection of poetry written before 1900, from the AQA Anthology for this specification. At A2, students will re-visit these Love through the Ages texts, as well as studying prose, poetry and drama texts written since 1945: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams; and Skirrid Hill by Owen Sheers. In A2 students work independently on an ‘Independent Critical Study: Texts across time' comparing two literary texts; this coursework assignment constitutes 20% of the final A level grade.
Course delivery details
You learn in a variety of ways, typically through discussion, group work, independent study, traditional essays, reading and research tasks. There is a balance between challenge and support. You play an active part in your learning and there is a strong focus on your individual learning needs.
You will develop the skills necessary for further academic study, such as strong report writing, essay writing and study skills, including presentation skills. You also improve the wider skills vital for success in further study or employment, including self-confidence, speaking in front of others, working with others, taking responsibility and managing your time. By the end of the course, you will benefit from individual support, including clear advice about higher education and careers.
Classes take place over four days a week between 9am and 5pm. We expect our students to be fully committed to their studies and attend all timetabled sessions. In addition, you have the opportunity to attend trips and visits according to the needs of individual subjects. There are many enrichment opportunities, enabling you to extend your learning beyond the bounds of your chosen subjects.
Formal assessment is through examinations. The examination periods are in May and June.
A range of regular assignments, essays and class based assessments also help you to develop your study skills for the next educational step.
Individual learning targets are set each term and you receive regular feedback on your progress in meeting these targets.
Activate Learning
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