AS/A2 - OCR

The course requires two different skills from the student.  First as producers of coursework they should be well equipped to plan, draft and construct digital media products.  Secondly, they should be ready to study and analyse media texts and produce well structured and literate essay responses under examination conditions.

Course Structure; AS Level
The full OCR prospectus is at;
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/AS_ALevelGCEMediaStudies.html

G321 - Foundation Portfolio(coursework); print media – a new music magazine aimed at a teenage audience.

G322 - Key Media Concepts; Section A; analysis of a short sequence
from a TV drama eg Skins, Dr.Who, Ashes to Ashes

Section B; an essay on the relationship between audiences and institutions within the Magazine Industry, eg. IPC, NME and NME.com

Course Structure; A2 Level
G323 – Advanced Portfolio(coursework); three closely related media products such as a trailer or documentary and the supporting print and website media that would be used to launch it.

G324 – Critical Perspectives; a 2 hour exam

Section A; Theoretical Evaluation; an evaluation and theoretical discussion of the G323 coursework above.

Section B; Contemporary Media Issues.  A one hour response on one topic using case study; Global Media or Postmodern Media or Media in the Online Age.  The course is delivered by timetabled blocks of teaching and supervised coursework sessions.  Students will have access to college hardware, an editing suite, laptop PCs and study resources but it is assumed that PC, digital camera, digital TV/DVD and mobile phone technologies would be accessible from home. High grades can only be achieved through homework which is set regularly. Students need to be highly motivated to complete A2 as this year will be dominated by project work with strict deadlines.

Preferred Entry Requirements
GCSE Media Studies is not essential, but it would be assumed that the student can demonstrate a real commitment to a wide range of Media and I.T. from school experience. Students will also require very good English skills. Design and Art at GCSE are also useful for this course.*

*Please note that your enrolment on to a particular course must be approved by the Head of that department.