A2 Module 6

Comparative Critical Analysis

This is a synoptic module in which candidates must demonstrate their understanding of the connections between the different elements of the specification.

In order to do this candidates will be expected to produce evidence of their attainment of the broad objectives of the specification - critical autonomy and media literacy - through the comparative analysis of texts.

They will be required to analyse, explain and account for the similarities and differences between media texts. To do this satisfactorily candidates will need to

(i) demonstrate their critical reading abilities using the Key Concepts

(ii) draw upon their knowledge of major ideas theories, debates and information

(iii) use their knowledge of a range of relevant contextual factors.

The aim of this module then, is to provide candidates with the opportunity to draw together, and make connections between, the different elements of their course of study.

This will be necessary in order to achieve the required depth of analysis demanded by this module, and in order to explain and account for the similarities and differences between media texts.

This module requires candidates to

demonstrate knowledge and application of the Key Concepts employed within Media Studies and the evaluation of texts and ideas using the Key Concepts (5%)

demonstrate knowledge and application of the wider contexts (historical, social, political, economic) relevant to Media Studies
(2.5%)

demonstrate knowledge, application and evaluation of major ideas, theories, debates and information relevant to the study of contemporary media (2.5%)

demonstrate the ability to analyse critically and comparatively a range of texts to determine and account for their similarities and differences(5%)

All of the synoptic assessment criteria apply to this module:

* candidates will be required to draw together their
understanding of the Key Concepts, major ideas, theories, debates and information from different parts of the specification in order to make

(a) effective textual readings

(b) effective textual comparisons

* candidates must draw upon their knowledge and application of a wide range of possible relevant contexts, in order to account for the

(a) characteristics of media texts

(b) the similarities and differences between media texts
These "relevant contexts" are those specified in AO2 (historical, social, political, economic).

* candidates must demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the broad objectives of the specification of critical autonomy - the ability to apply critical ideas and principles to new situations - and media literacy in their responses to media texts.

This module is concerned with the comparative study of media texts.

During their course of study candidates should

• study texts, firstly, as individual texts in their own right

• compare texts in terms of their similarities and differences,

explaining and accounting for these in terms of any relevant Key Concepts (media language, representations, genre, institution, ideology, audience) and wider contexts (historical, social, political, economic).

Examples of the kind of comparative readings which might be undertaken could include the following:

• the same topic represented in different media forms
• the same genre from different historical periods
• the same theme treated by different media
• similar texts produced by different institutions
• the same medium or genre with different target audiences
• cross-cultural comparisons
• mainstream and alternative variants (e.g. of topics, representations, audiences, ideologies etc.).

These examples are provided for elucidation only. They are not exhaustive, and texts chosen for examination may not necessarily be taken from or confined to these examples.

Assessment will be a written paper of 1.5 hours duration including 30 minutes reading/viewing/listening time.

Candidates will be required to write a comparative critical analysis of two unseen texts.