Media Studies

Media is not about entertaining the masses. It’s about holding the masses in attention.” – Alexander McQueen 

Subject information

ENTRY DETAILS

Exam board: Cambridge International A-Level

Specification: Cambridge International A-Level in Media Studies (96Q7)

HOW I WILL BE ASSESSED?

Examination: The course is examined in June of both Year 12 and Year 13

COURSE DETAILS

ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW, DURATION AND WEIGHTING

Paper 1 – Component 1: Coursework (25% of qualification, 50 marks)

Paper 2 – Component 2: Written examination 2 hours  (25% of qualification, 50 marks)

Paper 3 – Component 3: Coursework (25% of qualification, 60 marks)

Paper 4 – Component 4: Written examination 2 hours (25% of qualification, 50 marks)

Exam Papers% of IALAssessment overview

Component 1:
Foundation Portfolio (Submission April Year 12)

25

Candidates produce a media product that includes digital evidence of the process of their work and a creative critical reflection. Candidates work either individually or as part of a group to complete this coursework. Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Component 2: Media texts and contexts
(June Year 12)

25

Section A: Media texts (25 marks).
Candidates answer 1 question based on an unseen moving image extract.

Section B: Media contexts (25 marks).
Students answer 1 question from a choice of two questions.

Component 3:
Advanced Portfolio
(Submission April Year 13)

25

Candidates produce a campaign of media products, digital evidence of the process of their work and reflect upon their finished products, in the form of an evaluative essay of around 1000 words. Candidates work either individually or as part of a group to complete this coursework. Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Component 4:
Critical Perspectives
(June Year 13)

25

Section A: Media debates (30 marks)
Candidates answer two questions from a choice of three covering media regulation, postmodern media and power and the media 

Section B: Media ecology (30 marks)
Candidates are expected to adapt and apply the knowledge and understanding of key concepts studied throughout the course to contemporary examples from at least two media forms in order to explore evolving media environments. Candidates should answer the question referring to at least two media forms.

WIDER READING

  • Hall, S. (2013). Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage Publications
  • Jenkins, H. (2008). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York University Pres
  • Rayner, P. Kruger S. Wall P. (2004). AS Media Studies: The Essential Introduction. Routledge

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