Aqa Mass Media Spec Guidance

Mass Media

Centres that have been teaching this topic for the legacy specification (5191) should note the differences between the two specifications and amend their schemes of work and lesson plans accordingly. In particular, centres should note that this topic was previously part of the AS specification and that its move to the new A2 specification involves significant revision of the content to reflect the greater depth and complexity expected for study at this level.

The final bullet point, referring to new media, introduces significant new content. In addition, centres should note the references to ‘globalisation’ and ‘popular culture’ (both in the second bullet point) and also the phrase ‘of the news’ at the end of the third bullet point.

Suggested teaching order:

1 The relationship between ownership and control of the mass media

2 The mass media, globalisation and popular culture

3 The processes of selection and presentation of the content of the news

4 Media representations of age, social class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability

5 The relationship between the mass media, media content and presentation, and audiences

6 The new media and their significance for an understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.

Depth of treatment:

1 The relationship between ownership and control of the mass media

Private and state ownership; public service broadcasting; recent trends in ownership and control both in the UK and globally (eg concentration of ownership; global conglomerates)

Traditional Marxist, neo-Marxist and pluralist theories of ownership and control

The ideological role of the media.

2 The mass media, globalisation and popular culture

Globalisation: the media as a global industry (ownership, production and consumption); role of the media in creating a global culture; Americanisation and cultural homogenisation

Popular culture: the distinction between high and low culture; mass or popular culture,...