Media Studies AS and A2
Media Studies
Examination Board Oxford and Cambridge (OCR)
Assessment Modules for AS
Unit G321 Foundation Portfolio in Media Coursework 50%
Unit G322 Key Media Concepts (TV Drama and Case Study) Examination 50%
Assessment Modules for A2
Unit G324 Advanced Portfolio in Media
Unit G325 Critical Perspectives in Media
Course Description
The first year of Advanced Level is designed to introduce you to the critical study of media texts and industry. You will study television drama such as Skins and Spooks looking at the codes and conventions, representation of characters and how meaning is communicated through the choice of shots, sound, editing and so on. In addition you will undertake a case study into both local and national media organisation looking at the links between audience, industry and the texts they produce. During the AS year you will complete a coursework assignment where you will be asked, working in a small group, to undertake a number of trial production tasks to develop your skills. You will then develop these skills by producing a 2 -3 minute video and then write a report on your work.
Since most of our students choose to continue studying Media into the Upper Sixth more information about the A2 course will be given to you during your first year. What you might need to know at this stage is that, once again, there is a practical production worth 50% in which you produce two linked products and an exam exploring modern media issues and theory.
Career Pathways
Further and Higher Education and subsequent entry to employment.
Vocational Education Courses designed to train students for specific media careers.
Careers in Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Broadcasting and other media production, general business and management.
Media Communication and Production
Examination Board University of London (EDEXCEL)
Syllabus Numbers AS 3860 A2 7860
Assessment Modules for AS
All of the units are assessed as coursework and as such there is no final examination.
Unit 1 Industries, Texts and Audiences
Unit 2 Skills for Media Production
Unit 3 Media Production Brief
Assessment Modules for A2
All of the units are assessed as coursework and as such there is no final examination.
Unit 4 Research and Development for Media Production
Unit 5 Media Production Project
Unit 6 Professional Practice in the Media Industries
Skills Required
You should be self motivated and enjoy planning, researching and independent work. You will also need to possess a desire to learn new skills and an interest in a variety of media forms.
The Modules
The AS is designed to introduce you to the key skills needed in the media industries. These include research, practical and production skills. The course is structured to help you to build your knowledge from one module to the next. This means you can use work from Unit One as evidence of your skills base in Unit Two.
Unit One is a research project investigating a range of film industries from around the world ranging from Hollywood to Bollywood, short film and animation. You will be analysing key films, companies, directors and audiences and presenting your findings in a media industry style e.g. documentary, website or news report.
Unit Two requires you to develop your research and production skills. The unit is marked according to how much you have improved in these areas by the end of the year rather than how good you are. You can use work from the other two units as part of the evidence.
Unit Three requires you to individually plan, produce and evaluate a media product which you have developed from a media brief set by the examination board.
All of the units are assessed as coursework and as such there is no final examination, however you have to work consistently throughout the year to ensure your portfolio’s are to the correct standard.
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