English Literature at RJC

English aims to help you understand, appreciate and enjoy the plays, poems and novels of our own time and the past. RJC opts for the practical criticism paper (unseen), in which you will analyse how writers use the resources of language to create their meanings.

'O' Level Literature is helpful, but many students without it complete the course very successfully.

Teaching Approach

The English Department at RJC consists of a group of experienced teachers, both Singaporean and expatriate, who work closely with each other to provide a teaching programme which is stimulating, challenging, enjoyable and capable of ensuring that RJC students are developed to their fullest potential by the end of their course.

Lectures and tutorials

Small tutorial groups ensure that individual students are given the opportunity to present their points of view in a friendly and informal atmosphere. This is a vital part of the learning process, as it is only through such an open sharing of ideas that students can develop a personal reasoned response to the texts.

In addition to tutorials, regular lectures are given in which experienced members of the department present their interpretations of the texts being studied.

Examination

Papers Offered in 2004

Text-based Papers: You will study six texts altogether, three for each paper. Please refer to the texts for J1 Arts, J1 Humanities, J2 Arts and J2 Humanities.

• Paper 1 (3 hours): Shakespeare and Other Authors (pre-twentieth century)
• Paper 2 (3 hours): 18th and 19th Century Writing   OR
  Paper 3 (3 hours): Twentieth Century Writing   OR
  Paper 5 (3 hours): Open Texts

Unseen or Practical Criticism: You will choose two unseen extracts of prose, poetry or drama to write on. We prepare you through regular discussion, practice, and exposure to a wide range of genres, including local writing. Please refer to our resources for practical criticism.

• Paper 8 (3 hours): Comment and Appreciation (Unseens)

Skills tested include:

• Knowledge: of the content of the books and where appropriate, of the personal and historical circumstances in which they were written;
• Understanding: extending from simple factual comprehension to a broader conception of the nature and significance of literary texts;
• Analysis: the ability to recognize and describe literary effects and to comment precisely on the use of language;
• Judgement: the capacity to make judgements of value based on close reading;
• Sense of the past and tradition: the ability to see a literary work in its historical context as well as that of the present day;
• Expression : the ability to write organized and cogent essays on literary subjects.

Candidates will be required to offer for examination a minimum of six texts consisting of at least one play by Shakespeare, some poetry and at least one example of a genre other than poetry. (It is also recommended that in addition to Shakespeare, at least one work written before 1900 should be offered for examination).

You might also like to view MOE's official syllabus (subject code 9008).