English Literature

Course summary

This course is ideal for learners who enjoy analyzing poetry, novels and plays. The context of the works and critical views of the texts are also important aspects. A willingness to engage with the viewpoints of others is crucial to succeed in this course. Students will study two plays, two novels which you will compare, and a selection of modern and pre-1900 poetry. We are delighted to announce that recently two of our students at John Leggott College have won the Rathbones Folio Mentorship prize discovered by our Creative Writing Society. WHO IS THIS AIMED AT? This course is aimed at students who: ● Enjoy reading books, engaging with drama, prose, and poetry texts, through the ages ● Enjoy sharing ideas in discussion ● Are interested in how writers use words, phrases, and sentences to influence an audience ● Would like to progress to study English in Higher Education ● Would like to go into employment in journalism or related careers. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? Core Units: ● Drama Tragedy: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Comedy: Othello by William Shakespeare. ● Prose Hard Times by Charles Dickens The Colour Purple by Alice Walker ● Poetry A collection of Poetry by John Keats ● Non-exam Assessment Independent reading to produce one 3000-word essay comparing texts. WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU DEVELOP? ● Analyzing and evaluating fiction texts/genres ● Critical reading and annotation behaviors ● Extended analytical essay writing in the beginning stages of coursework ● Essay writing ● Effort ● Resilience ● Meeting deadlines ● Literacy and oracy communication skills ● Teamwork ● Self-motivation