AS/A Level Communication & Cultural Studies

AS/A LEVEL COMMUNICATION & CULTURAL STUDIES

Awarding Body:  AQA

A Level Communication and Culture

2 Year

Course code: COMS*, COM2* 

Is this the right course for me?

This subject is offered as part of the Full-Time A Level Programme.  Please refer to the Full-Time A Level Course Information Sheet for further details.

The course does not require a prior knowledge of Communication and Culture, but a grade C or above in English Language is desirable. Communication and Culture is designed to:

  • emphasise cultural aspects of communication
  • provide a framework in which students relate their own life experiences to contemporary academic debates
  • engage students in a wide range of interesting and well supported coursework tasks
  • give students a thorough grounding in the analysis and understanding of cultural products and cultural practice
  • reflect developments in this field in higher education, but at a level that is accessible and stimulating for A Level students

 

What do I need to join the course?

Standard programme entry requirements, as per the Full-Time A Level Course Information Sheet. 

 

What does the course involve?

Unit 1 Understanding Communication and Culture

The focus of this introductory unit is the personal level of communication in the realm of the candidate's own experiences of cultural practices and cultural products.  Following a programme of study, candidates will need to demonstrate how to:

- analyse and interpret the practices of everyday life

- analyse and interpret cultural products

- show that the everyday is worthy of study

- explore the relationship between culture and communication.

 

Unit 2 The Individual and Contemporary Culture: Portfolio

In this unit candidates pursue their study of the Key Concepts in relation to two sites:

- Communication, Culture and the Individual (Site A)

- Cultural Contexts and Practices (Site B).

In addition, candidates will demonstrate the ability to explore, apply and develop the content of Unit 1 in the construction of an individual coursework portfolio.

 

Unit 3 Communicating Culture

This synoptic unit builds upon the knowledge and understanding developed in Units 1 and 2 and also provides a conceptual underpinning for Unit 4.

There are three components:

- Theoretical Approaches

- Key Concepts

- Sites of Culture

 

Unit 4 Communication and Culture in Practice: Portfolio

This synoptic unit builds upon the knowledge and understanding developed in Units 1 and 2 and also provides a context for the application and personal exploration of conceptual material in Unit 3.

 

Can I take any additional qualifications?

A Level Communication and Culture is available alongside many other A Level qualifications on the Full-Time A Level Programme.

 

How will I be assessed? 

The course is assessed through a combination of coursework and external examination. AS unit 2 is assessed via coursework portfolio. All other units are assessed through external examination.

 

How do I apply?

Please refer to the Full-Time A Level Programme information sheet.

 

 

Should you require this Course Information Sheet in a different format, for example in a larger font or electronically, please contact the Information Team on (01473) 382211.  They will be happy to help.

 

This Information Sheet is for promotional purposes only and is not intended to form part of the agreement between the College and students.

 

 

 

The information contained within this Information Sheet is correct at July 2009