MS4 Overview
This is a synoptic unit designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the relationship between media texts, their audiences and the industries which produce and distribute them. We will pay particular attention to the debates and issues surrounding the nature of this relationship, including theoretical perspectives.
We will study three different media industries:
- Film
- Music
- Video games
For each of these industries, we will study three main texts. You will write about these texts in the exam, looking at the following:
Text
• genre
• narrative
• representation
Industry
• production
• distribution (and exhibition where relevant)
• marketing and promotion
• regulation issues
• global implications
• relevant historical background
Audience
• audience/user targeting
• audience/user positioning
• audience responses and user interaction
• debates about the relationship between audiences/users and text.
Assessment
A written examination of two and a half hours, consisting of two sections:
Section A will offer two questions based on media texts;
Section B will offer four questions based on industry and audience issues.
You will be required to answer one question from Section A and two questions from Section B, using a different media industry for each answer. Each question will require you to make reference to the three main texts you have studied for each media industry.
We will study three different media industries:
- Film
- Music
- Video games
For each of these industries, we will study three main texts. You will write about these texts in the exam, looking at the following:
Text
• genre
• narrative
• representation
Industry
• production
• distribution (and exhibition where relevant)
• marketing and promotion
• regulation issues
• global implications
• relevant historical background
Audience
• audience/user targeting
• audience/user positioning
• audience responses and user interaction
• debates about the relationship between audiences/users and text.
Assessment
A written examination of two and a half hours, consisting of two sections:
Section A will offer two questions based on media texts;
Section B will offer four questions based on industry and audience issues.
You will be required to answer one question from Section A and two questions from Section B, using a different media industry for each answer. Each question will require you to make reference to the three main texts you have studied for each media industry.
Use the revision grid below for each of your case study texts.