Media Studies - AS/A Level

MEDIA STUDIES - AS/A LEVEL

Examination Board: OCR Syllabus B

MDAS

Is there an interview?
Yes

What can I progress to?
Higher Education/Training Courses
Employment
Media studies/communication studies in Higher Education
Specialist media training courses (eg: journalism)

What is the course about?
This course draws on students' existing knowledge about the media and popular culture and aims to combine theory with practical work. Through a combination of practical work, independent research and academic theory, students learn about the contemporary film, television, print and music industries. Students are encouraged to develop and express their creative ideas using DTP, digital photography and video production skills.
However, this is generally a course in critical ideas rather than technical skills.

AS Level
Unit G321 - Foundation Portfolio in Media (coursework)
Candidates will produce sample pages from a music magzine and an evaluation presented on Powerpoint.
Unit G322 - Key Media Concepts (exam)
Paper One -Textual analysis of an unseen extract from a TV Drama and a discussion of representations within it.

Paper Two - Candidates answer questions on institutional issues within the film industry.

A2 Level
Unit G234 - Advanced Portfolio in Media (coursework)
Students produce a music video, DVD cover design, magazine advertisement for the DVD and a critical evaluation.
Unit G325 - Critical Perspectives in Media (exam)

Paper One - Candidates describes and evaluate the production skills they have acquired and evaluate a product in relation to one of the following Media concepts;
Genre, Narrative, Representation, Audience, Media Language.

Paper Two -Candidates are asked to demonstrate understanding of contemporary
Media Texts, Industries, Audiences and Debates in relation to Media Regulation, Global Media, Collective Identity and Online Media.

Are there any additional requirements?
Materials: Approx. £25 towards textsbooks - visits will be extra.

What are the course outcomes?
Achievement of AS qualification.
Achievement of A2 qualification.

How will you be assessed?
50% Examination - externally assessed.
50% Coursework - internally assessed, externally moderated.

Research Skills
Research Skills are an important element of every programme within the Sixth Form College. All Advanced Level students will enter for the appropriate IT Plus qualification (Level 2/3)during the first year.

Study Skills
As part of Stanmore College's excellent support network, Literacy and Numeracy support is available to any student enrolled on a course, depending on the student's individual needs (determined during Induction by an assessment). Support is provided through the Skills for Life Study Plus Programme. Students can attend either one-to-one or group sessions in a friendly, stimulating and supportive environment.