Media Studies Department
Head of Media Studies: Mr L Butler
Curriculum
GCE Media Studies (2570)
AS outline
At AS, candidates will investigate the media in order to reach an understanding and basic evaluation of how meanings and responses are created. The contemporary media landscape and its changing contexts will be studied in terms of products, platforms and technologies. In Unit 2 candidates will produce two linked media artefacts taken from two of the three media platforms studied in Unit 1 with a single, accompanying evaluation and pre-production folder for both pieces.
The AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1: Investigating Media
Topic list
- Media texts, concepts and contexts
- Platforms including e-media, broadcasting and print
- Printed communications
- Cross media studies from broadcast fiction, film fiction, documentary, lifestyle music, news and sport.
Assessment
| Written Paper: | 2 hours (Raw mark 80 marks) |
| Weighting: | 50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks |
The question paper consists of five questions: one question on each theme. Each question consists of two parts worth 15 and 30 marks. Candidates must answer two questions.
Section A
Four compulsory short answer questions based on one unseen piece of stimulus material (from moving image, digital/web-based (e-media) or print)
1 hour including 15 minutes reading/viewing time
60% (A01)
Section B
One essay question from a choice of two (based on a cross-media case study)
45 minutes
40% (A02)
Unit 2: Creating media
Topic list
- Independent research, preproduction and planning a practical production
- Technical and creative skills
- Knowledge of relevant codes and conventions
- Relevance of platforms and target audiences
- Production in broadcast, e-media and conventional print media
- Evaluation.
Assessment
| Weighting: | 50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks |
Externally set brief
Two linked production pieces (Taken from two of the three media platforms studied in Unit 1)
60% (AO3)
20% (AO4)
Evaluation (written) on both production pieces (1500 words)
20% (AO2)
A2 outline
At A2, candidates are encouraged to examine the media in a less formulaic way and demonstrate, develop and formulate their understanding of the media and its influential role in today's society as well as debating major contemporary media issues. Unit 4 will investigate a media theme/text in more depth and realise a production piece reflecting this research.
The A2 specification has 2 units:
Unit 3: Media: Critical Perspectives
Topic list
- Pre-set topic areas starting with representations in the media and the impact of new/digital media
- Cross media issues and debates
- Media theories
Assessment
| Written Paper: | 2 hours (Raw Mark 80 marks) |
| Weighting: | 50% of A2 / 25% of total A Level marks |
Section A
Three compulsory questions on unseen stimulus materials (1 hour including 15 minutes reading/viewing time)
40% (AO1)
Section B
One essay from a choice of two pre-set topics (45 minutes)
40% (A02)
Unit 4: Media: Research and Production
Topic list
- Research into a media text or theme
- Critical investigation
- A linked production piece
Assessment
Internally Examined and Externally Moderated (Postal)
Raw mark (80 marks)
| Weighting: | 50% of A2 / 25% of total A Level marks |
Critical Investigation (range of media forms)
40% (AO4)
20% (AO1)
Linked production piece (realised media artefact)
40% (AO3)
Media Studies results 2009
AS/A LEVEL
AS (35 Candidates)
83% Pass Rate
A-C = 34%
A/B = 20%
A = 3%
A2 (17 Candidates)
100% Pass Rate
A-C = 65%
A/B = 24%
A = 6%
