WJEC Eduqas GCE AS in English Literature Description

Course Overview:
The WJEC Eduqas GCE AS in English Literature is designed to inspire learners to engage with literature both creatively and critically. This qualification encourages students to develop their analytical skills and personal responses to a wide range of literary texts, from classic pre-1900 prose to modern works of poetry and drama. The course emphasizes understanding literary concepts, historical and cultural contexts, and how texts reflect and shape society.

Course Components:

1. Component 1: Prose (50% of qualification)

   • Written Examination (2 hours)
     This component focuses on prose fiction, engaging students with texts from both pre-1900 and post-1900 periods.

   • Section A: Prose Fiction Pre-1900
     Students will study one prose fiction text from a prescribed list, such as Jane Eyre or David Copperfield. The exam will include a two-part question requiring analysis of an extract and a wider understanding of the text as a whole.

   • Section B: Prose Fiction Post-1900
     This section focuses on one post-1900 prose fiction text from authors like Jean Rhys or Kazuo Ishiguro. Students will answer a question based on the reading of the entire text.

2. Component 2: Poetry and Drama (50% of qualification)

   • Written Examination (2 hours)
     This component introduces students to poetry and drama, encouraging critical analysis and engagement with texts.

   • Section A: Poetry
     Students will study a poetry text and demonstrate their ability to analyze and interpret its meanings, language, and structure.

   • Section B: Drama
     Students will study a drama text such as A Streetcar Named Desire or Doctor Faustus and answer a question that involves detailed analysis of an extract, along with an extended response relating to the text as a whole.

Key Areas of Study:

• Poetry Analysis: Students will examine the language, form, and structure of poems, understanding how meaning is shaped through various literary techniques.

• Drama: Students will engage with drama texts, analyzing character development, themes, and dramatic conventions, as well as understanding the cultural and historical contexts of each play.

• Prose: Both pre- and post-1900 prose fiction will be studied to understand narrative techniques, character development, and thematic concerns.

• Contextual Understanding: The course will explore the cultural, historical, and social contexts in which texts were written and how they influence interpretations.

Skills Developed:

• Literary Analysis: Students will develop the ability to critically analyze literary texts using appropriate terminology and analytical methods.

• Creative and Critical Engagement: The course fosters a deep engagement with literature, encouraging students to respond creatively while considering various interpretations.

• Writing and Expression: Students will refine their writing skills through structured, coherent essays that reflect an understanding of the text and its context.

Assessment Objectives:

• AO1: Articulate informed, personal, and creative responses to literary texts, using concepts and terminology accurately.

• AO2: Analyze how meanings are shaped in literary texts through language, form, and structure.

• AO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which texts are written and received.

• AO4: Explore connections across literary texts.

• AO5: Explore literary texts from different interpretations.

Entry Requirements:
This qualification is designed for learners who have typically completed GCSE-level study and have developed literacy and analytical skills. While no specific prerequisites are required, strong reading and writing skills will aid in success.

Progression:
This AS qualification provides a solid foundation for further study in English Literature at A-Level. It also prepares students for university courses in English, Journalism, Law, and other fields where critical reading and writing skills are valued.