Cambridge A Level Media Studies 9607 — 2020 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 1

1 (a) To what extent were research and planning essential in your productions? [25] (b) Analyse one of your productions in relation to the concept of narrative. [25]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Section A 1(a) To what extent were research and planning essential in your 25 productions? Candidates need to write about their work for the Foundation Portfolio and Advanced Portfolio components Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [15 marks] • use of examples [10 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section A Question 1(a) Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–15 • There is a clear sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows an excellent understanding of the extent research and planning influenced the production. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production work of how research and planning influenced the production. Level 4 Explanation / argument / analysis 10–12 • There is a sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows a competent understanding of the extent research and planning influenced the production. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production work of how research and planning influenced the production. Level 3 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–9 • There is some sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows satisfactory understanding of the extent research and planning influenced the production. Use of examples 5–6 • Offers some examples from their production work of how research and planning influenced the production. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 4–6 • There is a limited sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows limited understanding of how the conventions of the extent research and planning influenced the production. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production work of how research and planning influenced the production. Level 1 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–3 • There is a minimal sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows minimal understanding of the extent research and planning influenced the production. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production work of how research and planning influenced the production. Level 0 Explanation / argument / analysis 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 • No response or no examples at all. 1(b) Analyse one of your productions in relation to the concept of narrative. 25 Candidates need to analyse one of their productions in relation to one of the key concepts. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [15 marks] • use of examples [10 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section A Question 1(b) Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–15 • Offers a full range of articulate reflections on the production. • Shows an excellent understanding of the concept of narrative. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to narrative. Level 4 Explanation / argument / analysis 10–12 • Offers a range of reflections on the production. • Shows a competent understanding of the concept of narrative. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to narrative. Level 3 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–9 • Offers some reflections on the production. • Shows some understanding of the concept of narrative. Use of examples 5–6 • Offers some relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to narrative. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 4–6 • There is a limited reflection on the production. • Shows limited understanding of the concept of narrative. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production in relation to narrative. Level 1 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–3 • There is minimal reflection on the production. • Shows minimal understanding of the concept of narrative. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production in relation to narrative. Level 0 Explanation / argument / analysis 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 • No response or no examples at all.

2 Why is regulation of the media so complicated? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 2 Why is regulation of the media so complicated? 50 Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

3 ‘Contemporary media regulation needs to keep up with new technologies.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [50] Global media

Mark scheme: 3 OR 50 ‘Contemporary media regulation needs to keep up with new technologies.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

4 ‘We are all living in a “global village”, created by the media.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 4 ‘We are all living in a ‘global village’, created by the media.’ To what 50 extent do you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

5 To what extent have global media transformed audience behaviour? [50] Media and collective identity

Mark scheme: 5 OR 50 To what extent have global media transformed audience behaviour? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

6 ‘Media representations of social groups change over time.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 6 ‘Media representations of social groups change over time.’ How far do 50 you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

7 Discuss the ways in which identity is mediated. [50] Media in the online age

Mark scheme: 7 OR 50 Discuss the ways in which identity is mediated. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

8 Evaluate the different views on the democratising effects of online media. [50] OR

Mark scheme: 8 Evaluate the different views on the democratising effects of online 50 media. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

9 ‘The online age has forced media industries to adapt.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [50] Postmodern media

Mark scheme: 9 OR 50 ‘The online age has forced media industries to adapt.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

10 What versions of postmodernism have you found useful when analysing the media? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 10 What versions of postmodernism have you found useful when analysing 50 the media? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

11 ‘Postmodern media texts are more challenging for audiences.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [50]

Mark scheme: 11 OR 50 ‘Postmodern media texts are more challenging for audiences.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section B Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 25–30 • Shows excellent understanding of the task. • Offers a clear, articulate balance of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • A coherent and developed argument. • Clearly relevant to set question. Use of examples 17–20 • Offers examples which are clearly relevant to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are accurate and clearly connected together in the answer. Level 4 Explanation / argument / analysis 19–24 • Shows proficient understanding of the task. • Offers clear evidence of understanding media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • A clear argument. • Relevant to set question. Use of examples 13–16 • Offers a range of evidence which is relevant to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are mostly accurate, and connected together in the answer. Level 3 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–18 • Shows satisfactory understanding of the task. • Offers some evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Some evidence of an argument, though likely to be lacking in detail. • Some relevance to set question. Use of examples 9–12 • Offers evidence which is of some relevance to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are referenced some of the time in support of points. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–12 • Shows limited understanding of the task. • Offers limited evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Limited evidence of an argument, though lacking in detail. • Limited relevance to set question. Use of examples 5–8 • Evidence is of limited relevance to the set question. • Offers a narrow range of examples related to texts, industries or audiences. Level 1 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–6 • Shows minimal understanding of the task. • Offers minimal evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Minimal evidence of an argument, though lacking in detail. • Minimal relevance to set question. Use of examples 1–4 • Evidence is of minimal relevance to the set question. • Offers a minimal range of examples related to texts, industries or audiences. Level 0 Explanation / argument / analysis & 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 No response or no examples relevant to the question.