English 'A' Level: Aims and Skills

English Literature is offered as an 'A' and an AS Level subject. AS candidates take half of the course but are examined to the same standard as 'A' Level. The syllabus aims to encourage an enjoyment and appreciation of English Literature, and to develop a sense of style, period and form. Candidates for these examinations will be required to demonstrate knowledge, insight and understanding in their interpretation of texts and of essay questions. They are expected to demonstrate their ability to communicate their responses clearly in a style appropriate to literary study

1. To encourage an enjoyment and appreciation of English Literature
2. To develop a sense of style, period and form.
3. To demonstrate knowledge, insight and understanding in the interpretation of texts and of essay questions.
4. To demonstrate the ability to communicate responses clearly in a style appropriate to literary study.

Content

• William Shakespeare - Othello*
• V.S. Naipaul - The Mimic Men
• G.B.Shaw - Major Barbara*
• George Eliot - Silas Marner*
• Tennessee Williams - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
• Ernest Hemingway - A Farewell to Arms
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson - Selected Poetry (Penguin)*
• Poetry of the Thirties (three sections from the Penguin anthology)

(Texts marked * are those selected for AS candidates.)

• William Skakespeare - Othello*
• Louis be Bernières - Captain Corelli's Mandolin
• G.B. Shaw - Major Barbara*
• George Eliot - Silas Marner *
• Tennesee Williams - Cat on a Hot tin Roof
• Ernest Hemingway - A Farewell to Arms
• Poetry of the Thirties (three sections from the Penguin Anthology)
• The poetry of Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes *

Unit 1:

'Othello' - A' and A/S Level (Terms 1, 2 and 3)

Unit 2:

'Cpt Corelli's Mandolin' - A' Level only (Terms 1 and 2)

Unit 3:

'Silas Marner' - A' and A/S Level (Terms 1, 2 and 3)

Unit 4:

Poetry of The 30s - A' Level only (Terms 1 and 2)

Unit 5:

Unseen Appreciation Of Poetry - A' and A/S Level (Terms 1, 2 and 3)

Unit 1:

A Study Of Tennyson - 'A' and 'A/S' Level (Term 1, 2 and 3)

Unit 2:

Major Barbara - 'A'and 'A/S' Level (Terms 2 and 3)

Unit 3:

Conclusion of A Study Of Poetry of the 30's - 'A' Level only (Term 1)

Unit 4:

A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - 'A' Level only (Terms 1 and 2)

Unit 5:

Appreciation Of Prose, Drama And Poetry (Terms 1, 2 And 3)

Unit 6:

A Farewell To Arm' - 'A' Level only (Terms 1 and 2)

Unit 7:

Individual lectures on The Mimic Men. - 'A' Level only (Term 1)

Assessment and Grading

In addition to classes on set books there are units of work on close reading and criticism. Essays are the main forms of homework, though supplementary reading and other exercises are set from time to time.

Students of English Literature are expected to spend at least six hours per week on the subject outside of class time. They are expected to take a thoughtful interest in the arts and other adjacent areas of study.

Grades are given A to E for essays done during the term which are equivalent to the grades awarded in the 'A' Level Examination. In internal examinations, marks out of 100 is given and then changed to grades on the following lines: