English Literature A Level

Pre-requisites
GCSE English/ English Literature at Grade C or above is recommended
Qualification
‘A’ Level in English Literature
Specification
AQA A-Level English Literature B (2745)
Support and benefits

Flexible terms times
Stepped learning approach
Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
Access to the ICS online Student Community, allowing you to interact with other students and browse our resource library


















































A Level English Literature Key topics
Unit 1 - Aspects of Narrative
Unit 2 - Dramatic Genres
Unit 3 - Texts and Genres
Unit 4 - Further and Independent Reading
Unit 1 – Aspects of Narrative

Introduction
The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the central position of narrative in the ways in which literary texts work. The term narrative is taken in a broad sense here, involving many different aspects of literary representation, with particular focus on how narratives are constructed by authors, and the different ways in which they can be responded to by readers.

Content
Four texts must be studied, two for Section A and two for Section B. In Section A at least one text written post 1990 must be studied. ICS has chosen to study the following texts:
Section A – Prose

Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night–time
F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
Section B – Poetry 1800 – 1945

Robert Browning

The Patriot
My Last Duchess
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Porphyria’s Lover
Fra Lippo Lippi
The Bishop Orders his Tomb
John Keats

Lamia
The Eve of St Agnes
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
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Unit 2 – Dramatic Genres

Introduction
The aim of this unit is to introduce you to aspects of genre. As used here, the term refers both to a type of text described by its form, in this case drama, and a further sub-categorisation by content and method. For the first three years of this specification the dramatic genre to be studied will be tragedy. This unit also addresses the compulsory requirement of the study of at least one Shakespeare play.

Content
You must study at least two plays within the dramatic genre of tragedy. At least one of the plays must be by Shakespeare. ICS has chosen to study the following plays:

William Shakespeare's King Lear
Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire
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Unit 3 – Texts and Genres

Introduction
The aim of this unit is to develop ideas on the significance of genre which have been established during the AS course. Individual texts will be explored and evaluated against some of the commonly accepted principles of the chosen genre, and three texts (or more) will be compared as representatives of that genre.

Content
You will study a minimum of three texts. At least one of these texts must be taken from the groups labeled 1300-1800. ICS has chosen to study the following texts:
Elements of the Gothic
1300-1800
William Shakespeare's Macbeth
Post 1800
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights
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Unit 4 – Further and Independent Reading

Introduction
There are a number of aims to this unit. The first is to introduce you to the study of a wide range of texts, some of which may be of their own choosing. The second is to introduce you to different ways of reading texts for study, including independently. The third is to introduce you to some critical ideas, and for these ideas to be applied with discrimination to literary text.

Content
You must study at least three texts. In the definition of text here, one of the three will be a pre-released anthology of critical writing applied to a piece of literature.
The pack of critical material is designed for specific use with coursework Unit 4, but will have wider application across the whole of A2 study of English Literature. It will therefore contribute significantly to the specification’s commitment to progression from AS, stretch and challenge and synopticity. It is designed to help you to make connections across texts, and to see that the study of Literature is underpinned by certain methods and ideas.
The purpose of the pre-released pack of critical material is to introduce you to some different ways in which the study of Literature can be approached. Once you have studied the material you will then apply some of it to a text or texts of your choice. ICS has chosen to study the following texts:

Jane Austen's Emma
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Alan Bennett's Talking Heads
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A Level English Literature Course Code
H07
Technical Requirements
None

ICS Support Period
18 months




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Assessment
AS Units – AS Award 1746
Unit 1- LITB1 Aspects of Narrative

60% of AS, 30% of A level
Written paper. 2 hours. Open book
84 marks
Four texts for study: two novels (at least one post 1990) and two poetry texts 1800- 1945. The paper has two sections. Candidates answer one question from each section.
Available January and June
Unit 2 - LITB2 Dramatic Genres

40% of AS, 20% of A level
Coursework
60 marks
Minimum of two texts for study within dramatic genre of Tragedy.
A portfolio of two pieces of written coursework (one may be re-creative) each 1200-1500 words.
Available January and June
A2 Units – A2 Award 2746
Unit 3 - LITB3 Texts and Genres

30% of total A level
Written paper. 2 hours. Closed book
80 marks
Minimum three texts for study including at least one text 1300-1800.
Candidates choose one topic area for study: Elements of the Gothic, or Elements of the Pastoral. For each topic there will be two sections. Candidates answer one question from each section.
Available January and June
Unit 4 - LITB4 Further and Independent Reading

20% of A level
Coursework
60 marks
Minimum of three texts for study including one pre-released anthology of critical material. A portfolio of two pieces of written coursework: comparative study of an aspect of two texts (1500-2000 words); an application of an aspect of pre-released critical anthology to a literary text (1200-1500 words).
Available January and June