2. Exam unit
• The A2 exam is titled Critical Perspectives in
Media
• In the words of the exam board,
‘The purpose of this unit is to assess
candidates’ knowledge and understanding of
media concepts, contexts and critical
debates, through their understanding of one
contemporary media issue and their ability to
evaluate their own practical work in reflective
and theoretical ways.’
3. Marks?
• How many marks?
• How long?
50 marks
1 hr (part of 2 hour exam)
4. Section B requirements from OCR
• Candidates must, in advance of the examination and, through specific case studies, texts, debates
and research of the candidates’ choice, prepare to demonstrate understanding of the contemporary
issue.
• This understanding must combine knowledge of at least two media and a range of
texts, industries, audiences and debates, but these are to be selected by the centre / candidate.
• The assessment of the response will be generic, allowing for the broadest possible range of
responses within the topic area chosen.
• Each topic is accompanied by four prompt questions, and candidates must be prepared to answer
an exam question that relates to one or more of these four prompts.
• There should be emphasis on the historical, the contemporary and the future in relation to the
chosen topic, with most attention on the present.
• Centres are thus advised to ensure that study materials for this unit are up to date and relevant.
5. Candidates might explore
combinations of:
• How post-modern media relate to genre and narrative
across two media,
– computer / video games and new forms of representation
– post-modern cinema
– interactive media
– reality TV
– music video
– Advertising
– post-modern audience theories
– aspects of globalisation
– parody and pastiche in media texts or a range of other
applications of post-modern media theory
6. In pomo, you should know….(from OCR)
• What are the different versions of post-modernism
(historical period, style, theoretical approach)?
• What are the arguments for and against understanding
some forms of media as post-modern?
• How do post-modern media texts challenge traditional
text-reader relations and the concept of representation?
• In what ways do media audiences and industries operate
differently in a post-modern world?
7. More stuff to explore…..
1. Definitions of postmodernism (in relation to media products and media
audiences).
2. The difference between postmodern media and traditional media.
3. The impact of postmodern media on audiences and the ways in which we think
about texts.
• How do post-modern media texts challenge traditional text-reader relations and
the concept of representation?
• In what ways do media audiences and industries operate differently in a post-
modern world?
4. Debates about postmodernism and whether it is really a useful theory or not.
5. Examples of media products which you think can be, or have been defined as
postmodern, and the reasons for them being analysed in this way.
8. Read first pages in e-book
• The textbook for media is now available online as an e-book. You
can access it at home or on your iPad when you get it.
•
• Go to website:
• url: http://my.dynamic-learning.co.uk/Default.aspx?cid=21302
• Centre ID: 21302
• Username: 21302hb
Password: erteach
•
Click on 'Dynamic E-book' (the A2 one is 2nd one in with orange on
cover) and then interactive pages......
•
Postmodernism = (start page 136)
