Communication and Culture

What is Communication & Culture?
This course is an exploration of the way we communicate and the importance of culture in our society. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on everyday life experiences and develop skills which can benefit them in both employment and HE environments. You will learn how to analyse and deconstruct texts taken from the popular media as well as develop an understanding of theories and research related to human social behaviour.

AS Units 1 & 2 include topics such as exploring the meaning of culture, verbal and non-verbal communication, identity and self-presentation and group communication. There is independent coursework, the focus of which will be prompted each year by AQA.

At A2, Units 3 & 4 build on the work established in AS but are more challenging and broader in their theoretical exploration of culture. Topics studied include a close study of a cultural site e.g. a particular building or film, an investigation of the rationales for capitalism, globalisation and consumerism in relation to cultural products and practices and the construction and maintenance of our personal and social identities. Once again there is independent coursework, the focus of which will be prompted each year by AQA with a choice of alternative topics similar to those featured above. E.g. 2009/10 celebrity & cinema-going.

You will enjoy the course if you:

• Want to improve your communication skills using new technology.
• Have an open and creative mind.
• Enjoy class discussion and debate.
• Are interested in the relationship between culture and society.
• Want to develop your analytical and research skills.
• Want to engage with key theories and debates on culture using current case studies such as rap music video, fashion and the internet.
• Want an AS which has an emphasis on the production of coursework as well as exams.

Is Communication & Culture suitable for me?
What does the music we listen to, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the places we shop say about us? If you like analysing and discussing current trends in fashion, technology, music, TV and film and relish the opportunity to bring your own experience of culture into the classroom, this could be the subject for you. Students say the course "opens their eyes" to things they might otherwise take for granted about the world we live in and develops communication skills that are really worth having.

How will I learn?
Discussion and debate are essential parts of the course. Traditional study skills, such as reading, note-taking, essay writing, along with the ability to research ideas, are also very important for this subject. The course also focuses heavily on the use of technology as a tool for creative expression. New skills such as blogging and web design are an integral part of the course.

How will I be assessed?
Coursework:

Year 1 50%

Year 2 50%

In addition:

AS:Written paper on Understanding Communication & Culture (1 hour 45 mins)

A2: Written paper on Communication & Culture (2 hours)

Progression
Students often go on to take one of the communication based courses at University - vocational courses like Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising or Marketing. More theoretical courses in Human and Mass Communication or Cultural Studies are popular too.

Others use this subject to show their skills and understanding of people, choosing careers in teaching, nursing, social work, the police, speech or occupational therapy, even medicine. In fact most jobs depend on communication. Past students tell us that this subject helped them to succeed at University â€" whatever subject they chose!

Course costs:
Essential: Textbook - Approximately £20.00

All students will be expected to provide their own textbooks and stationery. There also may be trips and visits or a conference. The cost of these will vary from year to year.

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.

Course: AQA 1626/2626

Entry Requirements Whilst you must have at least five C grades at GCSE to do three A levels, past experience suggests a mixture of As, Bs and Cs makes it more likely that you will get good results. It is recommended that students taking AS Communication Studies should have at least a grade C in GCSE English Language. In addition you must: Enjoy project and course work Be organised, self-disciplined and well-motivated Be prepared to join in class debate and discussion Be interested in people, social issues and culture Be prepared to develop skills in research and writing Be prepared to use new technology as a key learning resource