MEDIA STUDIES (OCR)

A2 Course Outline

Why Study A2 Media Studies?

Media Studies The Study of Media at A2 requires an aptitude in a number of areas:

  • The ability to engage with a variety of specified media texts;
  • A good grasp of textual and content analysis;
  • Essay writing skills; and
  • Good media production skills.

Students will utilise their ability to deconstruct and evaluate media texts to reflect heavily on their own development throughout the course of both AS and A2 Media Studies. They will be required to focus on two of their own production practices, including Digital Technology, Creativity, Research and planning, Post-production and Using conventions from real media texts. Students will also be required to evaluate their work in terms of a media concept. Knowledge of these concepts will have been developed throughout the AS and A2 years, and will focus on Genre, Narrative, Representation, Audience and Media Language.

There is a very large coursework element in A2 Media Studies. Students will be required to create three media products; one major piece and two ancillary products. This will include a combination of production disciplines, including Print, Video, Web-based, Audio, and Games Software. In addition, students will be required to reflect on their own work, critically evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. These tasks will enable students to produce industry-standard products. There is also opportunity for students to spend a day with the London Film Academy where they will develop their video production skills with some industry experts, and collaborate with stars of the future during the coursework production.

What Skills Will Students Develop When Studying Media Studies?

  • Media Studies enables students to maturely understand how the media affects the audience and enable them to look behind the scenes of a media product.
  • Students will learn practical skills about the whole media production process, by learning how to plan for your audience, produce a media text and evaluate the effectiveness of it.
  • Students will learn to assimilate information and present it in a clear and concise way.

Media Studies (OCR) A2 Specification

Unit Three
Coursework
50% of A2 Exam

Advanced Portfolio in Media

Set briefs are offered in order to provide an appropriate level of demand, with each brief comprising of one major piece and two ancillary tasks, combining two or more practical media disciplines. Students then must present their research, planning and evaluations in electronic format.

The following briefs are offered:

  • Print
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Website
  • Games Software

Unit Four
120 minutes
examination
50% of A2 Exam

Critical Perspectives in Media

Theoretical Evaluation of Production:
Students are required to evaluate the development of their practical skills, from AS level through to A2 level, focusing on two key elements. As well, students will be required to analyse their work in relation to one of the following media concepts:

  • Genre
  • Narrative
  • Representation
  • Audience
  • Media language

Contemporary Media Issues:

One question to be answered from a choice of six topic areas:

  • Contemporary Media Regulation
  • Global Media
  • Media and Collective Identity
  • Media in the Online Age
  • Post-modern Media
  • 'We Media' and Democracy

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 6 lessons per week. Homework will be set weekly and deadlines must be adhered to. Reading of textbooks and media coverage in broadsheet newspapers is essential.

Recommended Reading
OCR Media Studies for A2 (Third Edition) Julian McDougall

Fees and Dates