The first section are all on Media and Collective Identity.
A – To what extent is your chosen social group represented by stereotypes in TWO media? [50]
In your answer you should refer to:
- Semiotics and
- Ideology / hegemony
B – How far has the representation of your chosen social group changed over time? Answer with reference to at least TWO media. [50]
NB – By now this essay should contain all your research examples in it which is why you have slightly more time!!
In your answer you should refer to:
- Social change
- Law and governance
- Post-modernism
- As well as the usual suspects!!
C – To what extent do your chosen texts reinforce hegemonic values? [50]
Again this essay should have everything necessary in it:
- Identity
- Audience theory
- Semiology
- Feminism / Marxism / post-modernism /
- Stereotypes / character theory
- Narrative theory
- Institution
June 2010
6 – With reference to any one social group you have studied discuss how their identity has been ‘mediated’.
7 – ‘Media representations are complex not simple and straightforward.’ How far do you agree with this statement in relation to the collective group you have studied? [50]
June 2011
6 – Discuss how one or more groups of people are represented through the media. [50]
7 – Explain the role played by the media in the construction of collective identity. [50]
We Media and Democracy
June 2011
12 – Explain how some features of contemporary media are more democratic than others. [50]
13 – As a citizen, to what extent do you feel that the media provide you with a democratic service? [50]
June 2010
12 – Assess the claim that the media is becoming more democratic. [50]
13 – What is ‘we media’ and what difference does it make to citizens? [50]
These are the four prompt questions on Media and Collective identity
- How do contemporary media represent nations, regions and ethnic/social/collective groups of people in different ways?
- How does contemporary representation compare to previous time periods?
- What are the social implications of different media representations of groups of people?
- To what extent is human identity increasingly ‘mediated’?
There are four prompt questions on We Media’ and Democracy
- What are ‘We Media’?
- Where / how has ‘We Media’ emerged?
- In what way are the contemporary media more democratic than before?
- In what ways are the contemporary media less democratic than before?
Candidates might explore combinations of any two media in relation to the above prompts. Starting from Gillmoor’s definition, all media that are ‘homegrown’, local, organic and potentially counter-cultural can be studied for this topic, as long as two media (eg web-logging and digital film uploading and sharing) are studied.
Question 1 is about your coursework
We will set these as timed essays to be done in class – dates to be advised.
Questions on the specimen paper:
1a) ‘Digital technology turns media consumers into media producers.’ In your own experience how has your creativity developed through using digital technology to complete your coursework productions? [25]
1b) ‘Media texts rely on cultural experiences in order for audiences to easily make sense of narratives.’ Explain how you used conventional and / or experimental narrative approaches in one of your production pieces? [25]
Questions from June 2010
In question 1 (a) you need to write about your work for the Foundation Portfolio and Advanced Portfolio units and you may refer to other media production work you have undertaken.
1 a) Describe the ways in which your production work was informed by research into real media texts and how your ability to use such research for production developed over time. [25]
In question 1 (b) you need to choose one of your media productions to write about.
b) Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to genre. [25]