Key Stage 5

A Level Media Studies

Aims:

The course aims to develop students’ interest and enjoyment in media texts encouraging them to become critical, autonomous readers. They are expected to apply their knowledge and understanding about media issues and practices to their own practical work, examining critically the ways in which media texts have been produced, circulated, consumed and interpreted by audiences. In addition, students are encouraged to develop their skills of analysis in the ways in which different media represent the world.

Content:

Students may take a two unit course, equivalent to AS level, or continue a second year of study to gain the full A Level qualification.
AS Units (the one year course):

This requires students to show a basic knowledge and understanding of:

• Modern media forms
• Media Representation and Responses
• Media production processes

Assessment:

This consists of two forms: one written examination paper of 21/2 hours (worth 75% each of the total AS) and a coursework Portfolio consisting of three pieces of work (worth 25% of the total AS). One piece will demonstrate pre-production planning techniques; one piece will focus on production which has developed out of the pre-production and the final piece will be a report which demonstrates evaluation skills.

A2 Units (the second year of the Legacy course):

This requires students to show a deeper knowledge and understanding of:

• The appropriate methodologies needed to research media texts and the ways in which they interact with audiences
• The organisation of two media industries to include the key topics of regulation and legislation, national and global development issues and the impact of new technologies
• The techniques of media analysis and their relationship to audience debates, institutional determinants and technological advancements

Content:

• The A2 course consists of:
• Investigating Media texts
• Changing Media Industries
• Text and Content

Assessment:

This consists of two written examination papers of 11/2 hours and 21/2 hours duration. In addition students complete a coursework unit consisting of an individual investigative or analytical essay.

A Level English Literature

Aims:

The course aims to:

• Encourage students to develop as informed, independent readers and critics of literary texts
• Develop student’s understanding of meaning through close study of the context in which the text was produced and of other possible readings

Content:

Students may take a three unit course equivalent to AS level, or continue a second year of study to gain the full A Level qualification.
AS Units (the one year course).

Students will study World War One Literature. They will study six texts including two novels, two poetry Anthologies and two drama texts. They will also be expected to complete wider reading around the period.

Assessment:

Students will complete two pieces of coursework (worth 40% of the total AS) one on prose text and one on a drama text. There will be a creative element and an analytical requirement for each piece.

Students will also complete a written examination paper of 2 hours duration which will test their knowledge of the set texts and their ability to relate their wider reading to the subjects presented in the examination paper. This will be worth 60% of the total AS.

A2 Units (the second year of the course)

This requires students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of those key skills becoming actively engaged with texts in order to develop informed personal responses to the texts.

Content:

The A2 course consists of:

• Study of texts in time through the study of a pre – 1770 drama text and a pre – 1900 poetry text
• Coursework focused on the literary connections between texts
• Synoptic unit: Reading for Meaning focused upon the Literature of the First World War

Assessment:

This consists of a two hour examination (Texts in Time) and a three hour examination (Synoptic; World War One) plus a coursework essay of at least 2500 words.