English Literature

Course summary

TOPICS INCLUDED IN YEAR 1 Poems of the Decade – students will study 20 contemporary poems which span across a range of current themes. Students must be prepared to analyse, discuss and dissect poems independently and in groups. Ultimately, students will be asked to compare one poem from their anthology with an unseen poem. The Importance of Being Earnest – students will explore Oscar Wilde’s famous play and look closely at the historical and cultural background, the playwright and the political climate to help them grasp the nuances within the text. In their exam, students will be given a choice of two questions to answer on a character/theme from the play. Frankenstein and A Handmaid’s Tale – students will closely analyse both texts individually, building up to eventually conducting a critical comparison of the two texts and writing evaluative exam pieces. TOPICS INCLUDED IN YEAR 2 The Taming of the Shrew – students will study the Shakespeare text at the beginning of the second year. Students must use quotations and analysis from various academic critics of the play to support and strengthen their interpretations of key content. Students will be given a choice of two questions to answer on a character/theme from the play. Christina Rossetti Poetry Anthology – students will complete a second anthology of poetry from the famous poet, Christina Rossetti. Students will study 21 poems and support their analysis with an in-depth understanding of historical and social context. Students will be asked to answer an exam question in which they compare two poems with interpretation and presentation of a key theme.