English Language and Literature Combined AS/A2

If you enjoy reading and discussing a range of literature but also have an interest in the linguistic approaches to our language you will enjoy this course.  Students often enjoy this programme of study as it allows them to maintain their interest in both English Language and English Literature; it is also 40% coursework and will appeal to students who prefer to be assessed both through written assignments and exams.    During their time on this combined English course students will learn a range of terminology and they will also develop their written analytical skills. Students will also look at both written English and spoken English.

Course Outline
4 units — 2 for AS level and 2 for A2 level — include:

AS Level
ELLB1 Introduction to Language and Literature Study

This unit is an introduction to the study of language and literature using a short Anthology of literary and non literary texts.  The unit requires students to study an Anthology of thematically linked spoken and written texts which will offer them the opportunity to consider the three major literary genres and a range of non-literary texts.

Assessment will be by a written examination of 1 hour and 45 minutes (open book).

ELLB2 Themes in Language and Literature (Coursework)

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ reading and writing skills through the in-depth study of writers’ crafting.   Students will study two texts which are linked by theme.  Students are then asked to write two assignments based on these texts and the prescribed theme, one of which is a creative writing assignment and the other, an analytical piece.  The two assignments should total approximately 2000 words.

In order to qualify for A2 you would be expected to achieve a pass in both units.

A2 Level
ELLB3 Talk in Life and Literature
The emphasis in this unit is on spoken language. For this part of the course students will study at least one play and will focus on how spoken language is crafted by the writer.  Students will also look at how language is used in real life speech.  The aim of this unit is to allow students to identify and discuss the way meanings are constructed, conveyed and interpreted both in drama and in real life speech.

Assessment will be by written examination of 2 hours (closed book).

ELLB4 Text Transformation (Coursework)

This coursework unit requires students to choose two literary works from a selection of prescribed authors, including Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins and Alan Bennett, and transform them into different genres.  In this unit students apply the knowledge, understanding and insights gained from literary and linguistic studies, to transform the original work into a different genre.  Students will then write a commentary to accompany the text transformation task which explains the decisions they have made in changing the original text.  The text transformation should be between 1500 and 2500 words and the commentaries must be between 1000 and 2000 words.