Literature in English

Charterhouse Under School English Literature Curriculum

This syllabus provides a richer and more varied diet of literature than that offered by any current examination syllabus. The aims of the curriculum are as follows:

  • to develop close reading skills and considered critical response to writing in a range of forms, styles and contexts;
  • to encourage breadth of reading, together with the beginnings of an appreciation for the overall shape of English Literature;
  • to encourage students to make comparisons between texts;
  • to develop students’ abilities to write critically about English Literature using appropriate forms and terminology;
  • to gain some understanding of contexts in which texts are written, and the critical debate which surrounds them;
  • to prepare students thoroughly for more advanced literary study;
  • to incorporate a distinctive Carthusian element to the course, through the study of writers with strong associations with Charterhouse.

Although the best groups should read more widely, the following will be the minimum reading requirements over the course of the Remove and Fifth form:

Poetry The study of at least two individual collections of poetry, plus the study of a range of work from an anthology.
Prose The study of at least two novels, one modern and one published before 1914.
Drama             The study of at least two plays, including one by Shakespeare.
Non-fiction The study of one work or a range of extracts.
 
The scheme of assessment is as follows:

One extended coursework essay (up to 2500 words), to be written on one or more of the texts studied. The best essays are likely to incorporate some or all of the following:

  • close reading (essential);
  • a comparative element;
  • some understanding of context;
  • some understanding of critical heritage.

A poetry and prose examination, requiring answers on texts studied (closed book).

A critical analysis and drama examination, requiring an unseen analysis of poetry or prose and a question on drama (closed book).

The course will be certificated by Charterhouse, with prizes offered for the best overall performance and the best performance in each set, as well as a prize for the best extended essay.

Specialists - Cambridge Pre-U

Overview

The syllabus is designed in the hope that it will encourage pupils to read both closely and widely, beyond the demands of assessment, to enjoy their reading and to be able to debate their responses to it. There are four elements of the course, each worth 25% of the overall grade; assessment of all units takes place at the end of the second year of study. The number of set texts is relatively small, but pupils will be expected to develop a broad knowledge of literature in preparation for the Comment and Analysis paper.

The four elements of the course are:
  • Poetry and Prose (two hour examination). This paper is based on set texts studied during the course, one pre- and one post-1900. The list of authors includes Chaucer, Marvell, Pope, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, T. S. Eliot, Sylvia Plath, Elizabeth Bishop and Derek Walcott for poetry; the prose texts include Moll Flanders, Persuasion, The Mill on the Floss, The Return of the Native, The Age of Innocence, The Rainbow, Mrs Dalloway and Disgrace.
  • Drama (two hour examination). This paper is based on set texts studied during the course. At least one answer must be on a Shakespeare play; candidates must write one passage-based question and one essay. Set texts for this paper are Coriolanus, King Lear, As You Like It, The Tempest, The White Devil, The Country Wife, The Room, The Dumb Waiter and Dancing at Lughnasa.
  • Comment and Analysis (unseen) (two hour fifteen minute examination). The time allowed includes fifteen minutes for reading and annotation. Candidates answer any two questions from a choice of four. Each question requires a response to a previously unseen passage. The paper will include at least one example from each of the three forms (poetry, prose and drama), one piece of non-fiction, one piece of writing from before 1900 and one comparative task. One of the questions will include the option of a recreative task. The questions will require close study of the language and style of the passages.
  • Personal investigation (internally set project, externally marked). One essay of 3,000 to 3,500 words will be required. Exploration may be by theme, genre, period or other appropriate concept. It is hoped that this will allow the deepening of individual interests and enthusiasms, and that it will give a preparation for more advanced academic work.
Combinations with other subjects

Literature in English combines appropriately with all other subjects.

University courses and careers

Literature in English may lead to university study in language and literature, either singly or in combination with other arts disciplines. It is an ideal preparation for careers in journalism, law, media and teaching. English courses are very popular and a high grade in the subject will be required to secure a place in a major university.

M.G. Armstrong