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Course Overview

This course can either be studied at Wakefield College or Selby College.

If you enjoy reading, discussing ideas and writing critical essays you will find English Literature a stimulating and challenging course. It involves the study of a range of poetry, drama and prose texts, from the Elizabethan era right up to the present day.

There will be theatre visits and other educational trips.

You will learn by:

  • Classroom teaching
  • Private reading and re-reading of the texts and support materials
  • Discussion and debate in small and larger groups
  • Research and personal study of background and social issues which affect the texts.

What You Will Study

Modules will include:

Love Through the Ages.
Your reading will include a range of prose, poetry and drama from the Elizabethan era to the present day. This will include close reading of a Shakespeare play, a novel and an anthology of poetry.

Texts in Shared Contexts:
Modern Times - Literature from 1945 to the present. Students study three texts, including one prose, one poetry and one drama, at least one of which must be written post-2000.

Texts Across Time.
This is the non-examined assessment unit which requires you to write a comparative critical study of two texts by different authors, written at different times.

  • How You Will Be Assessed

    Assessment will be a mixture of coursework (20%) and open and closed book exams (80%).

    At the end of the second year you will complete the 2 following exam papers:
    Paper 1: Love through the Ages (3hrs)
    Paper 2: Texts in Shared Contexts: Modern Times - Literature from 1945 to Present Day (2.5hrs)

    You will also complete a 2,500 word essay for the Non-Examined Assessment module worth 20% of the marks.

  • Entry Requirements

    5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4, including English Language and Maths 

    PLUS

    Grade 5 in English Literature.

  • Further Study

    A Level English Literature is a recognised qualification for entry into higher education, particularly in relation to arts and humanities degrees. It is also especially appropriate for those wishing to teacher-train. The College's Careers Advice Service can provide details of entry requirements for specific higher education institutions. This is considered as one of the facilitating subjects favoured by the Russell Group universities.