Description
This International A Level English Literature Distance Learning Online Course is ideal for anyone wishing to gain a knowledge and understanding of this subject or for anyone who wishes to study at a higher level at University and gain UCAS points. You will also find this course extremely valuable if you are looking for a progression route for further training whilst employed.
On this A’ Level English Literature course, you will explore the relationships that exist between texts and contexts within which they are written, received and understood. You will be encouraged to debate and challenge other readers interpretations, developing your own informed personal responses together with a variety of reading strategies.
Progression
Students use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
Subjects which complement the A Level in English Literature include English Language, History and Classical Studies.
Cambridge Specification
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Course Code: 9695
Study Hours: Recommended 300 – 360 hrs
Exams Available: June & November (also March in India only)
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English develops a set of transferable skills. These include critical analysis, constructing arguments, and presenting knowledge and understanding in a balanced, articulate and fluent manner. Learners of Literature in English will be well-equipped for progression to higher education or directly into employment; finding that the skills needed will support them in a wide range of subjects and real-world situations.
How will I benefit from the International A Level English Literature Cambridge course?
The aims are to enable learners to:
- enjoy the experience of reading literature
- develop an appreciation of and an informed personal response to literature in English in a range of texts in different forms, and from different periods and cultures
- communicate effectively, accurately and appropriately in written form • develop the interdependent skills of reading, analysis and communication
- analyse and evaluate the methods writers use in creating meaning and effects
- encourage wider reading and an understanding of how it may contribute to personal development
- build a firm foundation for further study of literature.
Key Concepts
The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level English Literature are:
Language Exploring
the variety and use of language in literary texts. Identifying literary techniques and explaining how their use contributes to a reader’s analysis and understanding of the text.
Form
Considering the ways in which writers use – or depart from – conventions of literary forms of prose, poetry and drama and how those inform meaning and effects.
Structure
When analysed in reading: the organisation of a text or passage, its shape and development and how this contributes to the readers’ understanding of its meaning and effects. When used in writing: the construction of a relevant and supported argument appropriate to the question.
Genre
Exploring the characteristics of different text types: for example, tragedy, comedy and satire.
Context
Exploring the relationship between a text and its historical, social and cultural backgrounds and the ways in which this can illuminate the reading of a text. In response to unseen texts, considering the ways in which a text’s meaning is shaped by conventions of form alongside those of language and style.
Style
Analysing the ways in which choices regarding form, structure and language interact to create a distinctive style, for different forms and genres.
Interpretation
At AS Level: Evaluating and explaining different ideas within a text. At A Level: Evaluating and explaining different ideas within a text and using different critical readings to explore an understanding of texts and to help support literary arguments.
Cambridge English Literature Content Overview
YEAR 1 – IAS
- Drama and Poetry
Learners study two set texts, one from Section A and one from Section B.
- Prose and Unseen
Learners study one set text from Section A. For Section B, learners prepare to respond to an unseen text that may be poetry, prose or drama.
YEAR 2 – IA2
- Shakespeare and Drama
Learners study two set texts, one from Section A and one from Section B.
- Pre- and Post 1900 Poetry and Prose
Learners study two set texts, one from Section A and one from Section B. They must study one poetry text and one prose text.
At AS Level learners will study three set texts and prepare for one unseen text. At A Level they will study four further set texts. AS Level includes Paper 1 and Paper 2. A Level includes Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 and Paper 4.
Cambridge Assessment
There are three routes learners can take when completing exams for the English Literature course with Cambridge
- AS Level Qualification only – Learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting.
- Full A Level over 2 years – At the end of year 1, learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting. In a separate exam sitting at the end of year 2, learners then take all A2 papers (Paper 3 & Paper 4). If learners achieve a pass in all four papers, they will be awarded their Full A Level in English Literature.
- Full A Level – Learners take all papers for AS and A2 in one sitting (Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 & Paper 4).
Exam Papers
Paper 1: Drama and Poetry
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: June and November
Assessment Overview: Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A: Drama and one question from Section B: Poetry.
50 marks
Paper 2: Prose and Unsure
Time: 2 hours
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview: Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A: Prose and one question from Section B: Unseen.
50 marks
Paper 3: Shakespeare and Drama
Written examination: 2 hours
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview: Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A: Shakespeare and one question from Section B: Drama.
50 marks
Paper 4: Pre- and Post- 1900 Poetry and prose
Practical examination: 2 hours
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A: Pre-1900 Poetry and Prose, and one question from Section B: Post-1900 Poetry and Prose.
Candidates respond to both a poetry and a prose text.
50 marks
Edexcel Specification
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Specification codes: XET01 / YET01
Edexcel Exams: January and June
Edexcel Study Hours: 300 – 360 hours
Pearson Edexcel
Students will study works from a selection including Dickens, Bronte and Shakespeare, pre-1900 poetry as well as post-2000 poetry and prose, together with a range of texts with a wide international appeal, including The Kite Runner and White Tiger.
How will I benefit from the International A Level English Literature Edexcel course?
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to:
- read widely and independently set texts and others that they have selected for themselves
- engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them
- develop and effectively apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation
- explore the contexts of the texts they are reading and others’ interpretations of them
- undertake independent and sustained studies to deepen their appreciation and understanding of English literature, including its changing traditions.
Key Concepts
The key concepts for Edexcel International AS & A Level English Literature are:
- A choice of two drama texts, one pre-1900 and one post-1900.
- Study of a selection of post-2000 poems as well as a one post-2000 novel.
- Unseen questions on post-1900 poetry and one prose theme from a choice of Growing up, Colonisation and After, Science and Society and Women and Society.
- The study of one pre-1900 literary poetry movement.
- Study of a Shakespearian play from a choice of Hamlet, King Lear, Measure for Measure and The Taming of the Shrew.
Edexcel English Literature Content Overview
YEAR 1 – IAS
1.Post-2000 Poetry and Prose
Students will study:
- a selection of post-2000 poetry from Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–2011
- one post-2000 prose fiction text from a choice of five texts.
2.Drama
Students will study:
- one pre-1900 drama text from a choice of five and
- one post-1900 drama text from a choice of five.
YEAR 2 – IA2
Edexcel A Level English Language Candidates also study these additional topics:
3. Poetry and prose
Students will study:
- post-1900 unseen poetry
- two prose fiction texts, from a choice of three texts, covering one theme (choice of four themes).
4. Shakespeare and Pre-1900 Poetry
Students will study:
- one Shakespeare text from a choice of four
- one specified collection of pre-1900 poems from one literary movement, from a choice of three.
Edexcel Assessment
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in English Literature
This qualification consists of two externally-examined units. The International Advanced Subsidiary is the first half of the International Advanced Level qualification and consists of two IAS units, Units 1 and 2. This qualification may be awarded as a discrete qualification or may contribute 50 per cent towards the International Advanced Level qualification.
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in English Literature
This qualification consists of four externally-examined units. The International Advanced Level consists of the two IAS units (Units 1 and 2) plus two IA2 units (Units 3 and 4). Students wishing to take the International Advanced Level must, therefore, complete all four units.
Exam Papers
Paper 1: Post- 2000 poetry and Prose
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January and June
Assessment overview:
Section A: Post-2000 Poetry- Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on the prescribed poems.
Section B: Post-2000 Prose
Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their chosen prose fiction text.
50 marks
Paper 2: Drama
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January and June
Assessment overview:
Section A: Pre-1900 Drama- Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their chosen drama text.
Section B: Post-1900 Drama -Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their chosen text.
50 marks
Paper 3: Poetry and Prose
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January and June
Assessment overview:
Section A: Poetry -Students answer one essay question on a post-1900 unseen
poem.
Section B: Prose- Students answer one comparative essay question, from a choice of two, on their two chosen texts from their chosen theme.
50 marks.
Paper 4: Shakespeare and Pre-1900 Poetry
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January and June
Assessment overview:
Section A: Shakespeare -Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their chosen text.
Section B: Pre-1900 Poetry – Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their chosen movement.
50 marks.
