2. Exam Choice of 2 questions Write for one hour Refer to two medias (TV and Film) Apply relevant theory Analyse key scenes Refer to past, present and future Use the T- terminology E- example A- analysis structure.
3. Structure Introduction – tell the examiner which Media areas you are looking at and that you have studied Britishness. Relate to the question straight away! Main – For each Paragraph 1. Form an argument by analysing a key scene 2. Is your argument support or contrasted by a theory? 3. Link what you are saying to the question 4. Then move on to a different case study – does this further reinforce you argument or contrast it. Conclusion – Summarise your points, this should be your voice (e.g. do you agree or disagree with the question and theories?) This should be an overall response concluded from your interpretation of all case studies.
4. Social Groups Remember you can focus on Britishness as a whole or you could focus on a particular social group: British youth British gender British class British family As long as you have key scenes to support your points from each text.
8. Theories we have looked at: Stryker – Identity and Labels We interact with others to create and identity, this is called identity negotiation. This develops a consistent set of behaviours that reinforce the identity of the person or group. These behaviours then become social expectations. e.g. youth sub-culture such as Mods
9. Theories we have looked at: Althusser – Interpellation The power of the mass media resides in their ability to place a subject in a way that their representations are taken to be reality. Interpellation – process of recognition with the ideology at hand (identify with a particular idea) Initially the media supports jade and boosts her popularity There is controversy over racism – the media take a negative view of Jade Jade becomes ill and the media begin to respond in a positive way boosting her popularity once more.
10. Theories we have looked at: Marcuse – Mass Media The mass media carry with them prescribed attitudes and habits, certain intellectual and emotional reactions which bind the consumer and reduce them to a mindless mass. Resulting in ‘Passive Audience’ E.g. Television adverts still target men and women with stereotypical roles.
11. Theories we have looked at: Roland Barthes – Semiology He said “If narratives are episodic this helps our reading. A chain of cause and effect is expected and the audience look for signs to help them interpret the narrative….these deeply rooted signs are based on expectations the audience has due to their prior knowledge of old tales or myths” Here is his method of interpretation……
12. Barthes Model Sign (the total of the signifier and signified e.g. how we interpret the combination of the signifier and the signified) Semiology (The relationship between the signifier and signified) The Signifier The Signified (the object) (the meaning)
13. Example Questions 1. To what extent do you think that contemporary representations of a particular social group mirror current social attitudes towards that group? 2. How does the contemporary representation of a particular social group compare to representations from the past? These questions both focus on the contemporary so you should draw mainly on examples from your contemporary case studies and then contrast and compare with your other case studies.