A few of you have asked about reading lists, text books or any other reading we'd recommend. This post will have all the extras you need to aim for that A* in Media.
The Greenford Media department runs a Twitter account that tweets and retweets useful articles, links and questions that A Level Media students should be keeping up with. You don’t need to join Twitter or tweet yourself but follow us @blogmacguffin or simply visit twitter.com/blogmacguffin to look at the account from any web browser.
Media Theory at A Level by Mark DixonThis book was only published recently but I'd make it my top recommendation for A Level Media. It covers all the theories in the A Level Media specification and if you visit Mark Dixon's Essential Media Theory website you can sign up to view sample exam answers and more. Highly recommended!
A Level Media Textbooks
There are textbooks and revision guides available for the new specification AQA A Level Media Studies course. We would recommend you buy these textbooks you can as collectively they cover the whole course in terms of subject content and also feature many of the CSPs that will come up in the exams. Ultimately, these are written by the people writing the AQA exams so that is an important factor.
Important note: if you're eligible for the bursary (or even think you might be eligible) then the school may well buy these books for you! Speak to your tutor or Mr Halsey to find out more.
The textbook details:
AQA MEDIA STUDIES FOR A LEVEL YR 1 & AS: STUDENT BOOK
AQA MEDIA STUDIES FOR A LEVEL YEAR 2: STUDENT BOOK
AQA MEDIA STUDIES FOR A LEVEL YEAR 1 & AS REVISION GUIDE
Reading around the subject
There are textbooks and revision guides available for the new specification AQA A Level Media Studies course. We would recommend you buy these textbooks you can as collectively they cover the whole course in terms of subject content and also feature many of the CSPs that will come up in the exams. Ultimately, these are written by the people writing the AQA exams so that is an important factor.
Important note: if you're eligible for the bursary (or even think you might be eligible) then the school may well buy these books for you! Speak to your tutor or Mr Halsey to find out more.
The textbook details:
AQA MEDIA STUDIES FOR A LEVEL YR 1 & AS: STUDENT BOOK
- NEW SPEC: AQA Media Studies for A Level Yr 1 & AS: Student Book
- AUTHOR(S): Stephanie Hendry, Elspeth Stevenson
- AWARDING BODY: AQA
- LEVEL: A Level Year 1 & AS
- ISBN: 978-1-911208-03-7
- SUBJECT: Media Studies
- PAGES: 272pp
AQA MEDIA STUDIES FOR A LEVEL YEAR 2: STUDENT BOOK
- AQA Media Studies for A Level Year 2: Student Book
- AUTHOR(S): Stephanie Hendry, Elspeth Stevenson
- AWARDING BODY: AQA
- LEVEL: A Level Year 2
- ISBN: 978-1-911208-09-9
- SUBJECT: Media Studies
- AQA Media Studies for A Level Year 1 & AS: Revision Guide
- AUTHOR(S): Stephanie Hendry
- AWARDING BODY: AQA
- LEVEL: A Level Year 1 & AS
- ISBN: 978-1-911208-86-0
- SUBJECT: Media Studies
Reading around the subject
I've been incredibly impressed that so many Year 12 students want to read beyond textbooks and have requested some university-level reading to help boost personal statements. Here's our top tips for reading around the subject in Media:
Media Magazine
The best reading for A Level Media is free to you - by reading copies of Media Magazine (you can find these in our Media Magazine archive.) This magazine is designed specifically for A Level Media students and contains articles about the terminology, concepts and media products we are studying - plus lots more!
If you're looking for books by media academics, it really depends what topic you are interested in. For example...
Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky is a great read if you're interested in the impact the internet has had on business, media and the world. Shirky is a great writer and you'll find this easy to read.
Gender Trouble by Judith Butler is the classic text for feminism and gender discussions - it's still a key media theory today and can also help with Sociology and English Literature.
There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack: The Cultural Politics of Race and Nation by Paul Gilroy can be a tough read in places due to its complexity (very much university-level academic writing) but is highly recommended if you're interested in the representation of race and ethnicity and the experience of British culture for black Britons.
Creative Mentor Network
The Creative Mentor Network is an incredible opportunity for post-16 students to make connections in the creative and media industries by shadowing a professional for several weeks. We’ve had a number of students complete the project and develop a fantastic range of contacts and experiences that will help them to get a job in the creative industries in future.
You can find more details on the CMN website or watch the video below (featuring our very own Hussein!)
The Creative Mentor Network is an incredible opportunity for post-16 students to make connections in the creative and media industries by shadowing a professional for several weeks. We’ve had a number of students complete the project and develop a fantastic range of contacts and experiences that will help them to get a job in the creative industries in future.
You can find more details on the CMN website or watch the video below (featuring our very own Hussein!)
*Important note* We don't know exactly how CMN will continue during Covid-19 and whether placements will take place. However, you may be able to secure a virtual placement over Zoom which could still give you great contacts for the future (when hopefully the pandemic will have passed).
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