AS Media Studies Transition Task

Subject: Media Studies

 

Qualification/Level: Advanced Subsidiary

 

Examination Board: OCR

 

The following task/ tasks are to be completed and taken to your first lesson in this subject in  September.

 

The Task

 

Why Study The Media?

 

The Media is everywhere in our modern world; in our homes, on our computer screens, on phones and even appearing on our wrists. Previously, the media were based on an analogue environment, with TV, film and many written forms of media (like newspapers and magazines). But, in the ‘Digital Age’, it’s impossible to tell the difference between one type of medium and another.

 

In your investigation of the question you should refer to:

 

• Examples of media e.g. TV/the Internet/newspapers etc.
• Specific examples of media texts e.g. TV programmes/websites/films etc.
• Facts/statistics about the Media to back up your points
• Examples of events/news stories linked to the Media
• The views of important people who comment on the media about this subject

 

You can consider:

 

• The impact of the Media on young people
• The effect of too much Media on skills like communication and socialisation
• What it was like in the past and what it might be like in the future

 

How the work produced will fit into subsequent work and the specification
as a whole

 

Throughout the Media Studies course we will consider the effect that the media’s representation of particular social groups has upon their collective identity.

 

How the work should be presented

 

Your response should be in the form of an essay consisting of at least 500 words.

 

How the work will be assessed and marked

 

This task will be assessed according to Assessment Objective 4 : Demonstrate the ability to undertake and apply appropriate research.

 

Students who achieve A/B grades characteristically meet the following criteria:

 

a) communicate an understanding of research skills and appropriate methods;

b) present relevant research findings or conclusions;

c) produce a reflective evaluation of the process and its outcomes.

 

Students who achieve E/U grades characteristically meet the following criteria:

 

a) communicate an understanding of research skills and methods;

b) present research findings or conclusions;

c) comment on the research process or its outcomes.

 

In Media Studies, the quality of written communication is taken into account in assessing your work. In the completion of this task you must:

 

• ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate so that meaning is clear;
• select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose and to complex subject matter;
• organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when appropriate.

Success criteria

 

• Write in a coherent and structured way
• Use Standard English appropriately
• Use technical terms about the Media correctly
• Write factually and accurately, backing up your points with well-references sources
• Include a bibliography (websites, books, etc)

 

Resources to be used

 

The best resource to use is the internet BUT beware! The internet is a great starting point for research but should be used with thought and consideration.

 

You will find lots of opinions from other people but your essay must be your own opinion.

 

Who to contact if you should require further assistance with the work before

the end of term

 

Mr Henton : philiphenton@kba.uk

 

What equipment will be needed for the subject in September?

 

• General stationery (pens, pencils, ruler, highlighters)
• A USB memory stick (preferably at least 4GB
• A memory card for use in camcorders / cameras (preferably at least 16GB) such as the Sandisk Extreme 16GB which can be bought for £12.99 currently from Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3779510.htm