The study from Australia we discussed in class which examined the identity of the elderly in the media:

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/fact-or-fiction-stereotypes-older-australians-research-report-2013/chapter-4-role-and

a possible case study?

A great blog to keep ahead of current media issues:

http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/

Learning about Gauntlett's views on Identity and the Media:

http://www.theoryhead.com/gender/extract.htm

Worth a listen, a weekly show which reviews and discusses many media texts:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qsq5

The Examination for Unit 3: Media: Critical Perspectives

The examination for Unit 3 will take the form of a two hour examination paper. It will be marked out of 80. Section A tests AO1 and section B tests AO2.
Quality of Written Communication will be assessed in Section B.

Section A (40%) 1 hour including 15 minutes reading/viewing time; 32 marks

The first section will be based around unseen stimulus materials which may be print, e-media, audio or moving image based. The stimulus materials will be designed to be easily assimilated by candidates in the space of 15 minutes and there will be time for note-taking and essay planning. The materials will be chosen to raise issues about:

• media concepts (form, representation, institutions, audience, values and ideology)
• wider contexts
• media issues and debates.

There will be three compulsory questions based around the stimulus materials. The questions will demand short answers to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the media.

Section B (60%) 1 hour; 48 marks

Candidates will have been given two pre-set topic areas for study during the year. They will be expected to answer one question from a choice of questions linked to the pre-set topics. Questions will be open-ended so that candidates can respond to the question utilising the media texts that they have studied throughout this course through the application of their synoptic knowledge and understanding of the media.

Unit 3:

Candidates will be given two pre-set topic areas for study during the year, which they will explore across one or more of the three media platforms. Each of the topic areas will allow candidates to examine media issues and debates, theory and wider contexts, while also consolidating their understanding and use of the media concepts and other aspects of the specification covered at AS level. Each candidate should produce an individual case study of their own choice for each pre-set topic selected. It is not advisable for a whole group of candidates to be given the same title for an area of research. Candidates will be expected to examine media texts in detail in terms of their meanings and their functions.

Pre-set topic areas for examination in 2015:

Identities and the Media

The Impact of New and Digital Media 

Media Issues and Debates

The following represents an indication of the possible issues and debates currently prevalent in the study of the media. They may be added to or subtracted from, depending on their relevance.

• Representation and stereotyping
• Media effects
• Reality TV
• News Values
• Moral Panics
• Post 9/11 and the media
• Ownership and control
• Regulation and censorship
• Media technology and the digital revolution – changing technologies in the 21st century
• The effect of globalisation on the media

Media Theories (cross-media)

Media theories studied during the course might include:
Media analysis eg:

• Semiotics
• Structuralism and post-structuralism
• Postmodernism and its critiques

Politics and the Media eg:

• Gender and ethnicity
• Marxism and hegemony
• Liberal Pluralism
• Colonialism and Post-colonialism

Consumption and Production eg:

• Audience theories
• Genre theories

It is not expected that candidates will learn all these media theories, but that they will be able to use elements of relevant media theories when analysing media texts.

What is Unit 3?

Unit 3: Critical Perspectives

Introduction

The aim of this synoptic unit is to allow candidates to demonstrate their holistic understanding of the Media Studies Specification. It is assumed that during the course of their study they will have covered media concepts in some detail but, generally speaking, individually. At this level they are encouraged to examine the media in a less formulaic way. Unit 3 will encourage candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts, and also to develop and formulate their approach to the media and the role of the media in today's society by referring in detail to the wider contexts (social, political, historical, economic, as appropriate) which affect media production, distribution and exhibition, by tackling media theory and by taking part in a discussion of the major contemporary media issues and debates. Candidates are expected to look at cross-cultural factors and the effects of globalisation on the media where appropriate.

Assessment Objectives

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes (and evaluating own practical work) to show how meanings and responses are created

A good article to read concerning Identities and the Media (Unit 3):

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/16/media-sideline-european-white-working-class-study-finds

 

A website you should check regularly to be aware of all current Media topics, news and issues:


http://www.theguardian.com/media

Getting started on Ideologies. Below is a link to a useful powerpoint which explains Capitalist, Marxit and Pluralist ideologies:

http://www.slideshare.net/andywallis/liberal-pluralism

Welcome to A2 Media Studies.

An outline of the course is below:

A2 examinations

Unit 3 – MEST3 Media: Critical Perspectives

25% of A Level
2 hour written examination
Two sections:
A – three compulsory questions on unseen stimulus pieces
B – one essay from a choice of two topics

Unit 4 – MEST4

Media: Research and Production

25% of A Level
Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated
80 marks
Two sections:
Critical Investigation (48 marks)
Linked production piece (32 marks)