Sixth Form Course Guide 2013-14 - The Purbeck School

6 th form students at a production of
‘A St Car Named Desire’
Summary of course content
English Literature – AQA Spec B
A’ level English Literature offers you the opportunity to explore modern
novels, classic poetry and plays with like-minded students. Characters are
brought to life and analysed through discussion; fictional worlds are spread
out like intricate maps to be navigated chapter by chapter and visits to the
theatre bring play-scripts to life. You will learn how to unpick the ways in
which stories are told, identifying the ways in which the writer manipulates
their readers and causes us to laugh, cry or gasp in wonder. Your analytical
skills will develop, as well as your ability to express your ideas articulately.
AS – Year 12
LITB1 – Unit 1 is assessed by a two hour examination at the end of year 12. You will study four texts (two novels and
two collections of poetry) and will be asked to explore the ways in which the narrative is presented. In the past we
have studied texts such as: “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy, “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
LITB2 – Unit 2 is assessed through the production of two pieces of coursework. The texts fall into the ‘dramatic genre
of comedy’. In the past we have studied texts such as “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde and
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare. The coursework completed at the end of this unit can take the form of a
traditional analytical essay or for the more creative student, you can choose to write a ‘re-creative’ piece of writing
linked to the text.
A2 – Year 13
LITB3 – Unit 3 is assessed by a two hour examination at the end of Year 13. The unit will involve you studying three
texts which fall either into the category of ‘elements of the pastoral’ or ‘elements of the gothic’. Texts we have
studied in the past include: “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy, “Songs of Innocence and of Experience” by
William Blake (poetry).
LITB4 – Unit 4 is made up of two pieces of coursework. Each piece is in answer to a title that you write yourself and
you are also challenged to choose the texts you wish to apply it to. One piece of coursework is comparative and the
other will ask you to apply a critical theory (that you will learn about in lessons) to the text of your choice.
Where the course leads
‘A’ Level English Literature is extremely well regarded by top universities across the country. Many universities have
English Literature on their ‘preferred ‘A’ Level choices list’ as the skills you develop in this course will support many
other analytical subjects at degree level. Studying this course at ‘A’ level often leads students to studying subjects
like English, Drama or Media Studies at university. Careers that lead on from our subject could include working in the
media, editing or publishing, teaching or advertising.
Entry requirements
Students must be eligible to follow the Route A Pathway. In addition students must achieve at least a C grade in both
English Language and English Literature at GCSE; an interest in and love of reading extensively and a desire and
willingness to be involved in group discussion. To be successful in our subject you will need to commit to the course
and be willing to research, prepare ideas and practise essays in your free periods which will then be explored during
subsequent lessons. Your ability to draw on your knowledge of a wide range of texts to support your analysis of the
one being prepared in class will also be of benefit.
For further advice contact: Mrs Marlow