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A Level Specification: Module 5

Independent Study

Students will write a 3000-word extended essay, based on either:

a contemporary media text or texts, or
a topic or issue arising out of, or suggested by, a contemporary media text or texts.

The Independent Study should be investigative or research-based. It should seek, for example, to answer a question, clarify an issue, or test a hypothesis.

Assessed through coursework
20% of A Level

The following materials are adapted from the AQA Exam board A Level Specification.

Course Content

This module requires you to demonstrate…

knowledge and application of the Key Concepts employed within Media Studies and the evaluation of texts and ideas using the Key Concepts.
knowledge and application of the wider contexts (historical, social, political, economic) relevant to Media Studies
the ability to use appropriate investigative and research techniques in carrying out an independent study of a media text, topic or issue

In selecting a topic for your essay, you need to bear in mind the following:

Independent research skills are vital
You must use the Key Concepts to analyse your text(s) and place them in context.
It is vital that you meet the deadlines for this module

Essay content

You must write about Contemporary texts. That is, they must have been produced or released within the previous two years. Repeats of programmes made outside this period don’t count.

You may use historical texts for the purposes of comparison with your contemporary text, but they must be secondary to your contemporary text(s).

Any text studied should be given a context, such as relevant historical, social, political or economic contexts. You could also include the contexts of production, distribution and reception. A simple textual analysis of a film or soap opera, would not be appropriate. You must research your chosen area and give it a context which illuminates your text or topic without overshadowing it.

The Independent Study should be clearly textually centred; that is, a media text or texts should lie at the heart of your essay. It should also be investigative or research-based. It should seek, for example, to answer a question, clarify an issue, or test a hypothesis. You will be expected to use appropriate investigative and research techniques in carrying out the study.

Your evaluation and analysis must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the relevant Key Concepts.

Before you begin, you must have a clearly focused and carefully considered title. You need to have agreed this with your tutor BEFORE you start writing either the preliminary study or the final 3,000 word essay.

For further guidance, take a look at the following handouts:

A2 Module 5: The Independent Study (updated)
A2 Module 5: Research methods (updated)

Timetable of deadlines (revised October 05)

Autumn term

Week 1:		Contexts: The Star System
Week 2:		Contexts: Economic influences
Week 3:		Contexts: Political and historical influences
Week 4:		Contexts: Social development - the role of women
Week 5:		Re-introducing Med 5 requirements
Week 6:		Peer review: short presentations on each proposal
Week 7:		Peer review: short presentations on each proposal

Week 8:		Hand in written outline of at least 500 words for assessment Movie analysis: last week's screening
Week 9:		Getting to know the library
Week 10:		Movie analysis: last week's screening
Week 11:		Research tutorials
Week 12:		Movie analysis: last week's screening
Week 13:		Writing. Individual tutorials
Week 14:		Writing. Individual tutorials

Spring term

Week 1:		Hand in first draft for assessment
Week 2:		Movie analysis: last week's screening. Drafts returned.
Week 3:		Writing. Individual tutorials
Week 4:		Writing. Individual tutorials
Week 5:		Movie analysis: last week's screening
Week 6:		Writing. Individual tutorials

Week 7:		Hand in second draft for assessment

Assessment Objectives

AO1: Knowledge and application of Key Concepts (2½%)
Students must apply the Key Concepts with increasing independence, depth and sophistication in selecting and investigating a media text, topic or issue as the subject of an Independent Study.

AO2: Knowledge and application of wider contexts (2½%)

AO5: Ability to use appropriate investigative and research techniques in carrying out an independent study of a media text, topic or issue (15%)

MediaEdu
The new Media Know-All - a terrific site for revision, full of resources produced by teachers from across the country.

MediaKnow-All
An excellent web-guide to Media Studies produced by another Media Studies teacher.

Media History timeline
Every major event in the development of the media, 3500BC to present day!

Media Magazine
Cover of Media Magazine 18, featuring an image from 'This is England'

IN THIS AUTUMN'S
MEDIA MAGAZINE...

Broadcast Fiction
Fantasy and the Police: Ashes to Ashes

Media in context
When subversion becomes the mainstream

Audience
Torchwood: The Doctor Who spin-off and its fans
Theories of fandom, and the power of audience
Cults and the film industry

Media skills
Analysing media texts

And much more!

Available now in the Sandringham Library,
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