Summary:
Written specifically for the new OCR A2 Media Studies specification by an expert principal examiner, OCR MEDIA STUDIES FOR A2 Third Edition is a valuable resource providing students with extensive material to help them in their A2 exam and advanced portfolio work.

Key features include:

(i) in-depth, accessible material supporting the theoretical units to aid understanding of difficult concepts
(ii) synoptic links to highlight clearly where developmental work from the AS is required
(iii) extensive case studies that offer specific micro examples for students to connect to macro themes
(iv) activities that give students ideas on how to take each theme area further
(v) production tips to help students to integrate theory and practice
(vi) practice tasks to give students the confidence to evaluate their own work
(vii) exam-style questions that prepare students for their exam
(viii) a section on study resources to equip students with all the books, articles and websites they need to take each theme area to another level
(ix) a wide-ranging glossary that explains academic terminology and techncal jargon.

Additional resources are provided through access to the Dynamic Learning Home Edition CD, including step-by-step exemplars of tasks, to guide students through their portfolio work.

Written in a highly accessible style, OCR MEDIA STUDIES FOR A2 Third Edition engages with students from the very start, helping students to add real value to their Media Studies.

• Written by a Principal Examiner of a leading examinations board
• Illustrated throughout with full colour photos
• Fully updated in line with the new OCR specification for A2
• Accompanied by a student CD with additional interactive features to aid learning
• Supported with a teacher's resource CD -- the OCR Media Studies for A2 Dynamic Learning Network Edition -- available for purchase.
• Includes brand new material to address the new A2 unit on Critical Perspectives
• Includes an up-to-date section on study resources to equip students with all the books, articles and websites that they could possibly need to take each theme area to another level
• Included as an important reference tool is a glossary that explains the more academic language and technical jargon
• Includes a section on each of the Advanced Portfolio production briefs, with emphasis on the creative process and media literacy
• Where clear developmental work from the AS course is needed, Synoptic Links are provided
• Offers guidance for students considering the step up from A-level to degree level Media Studies
• Extensive case studies offer students specific micro examples for them to connect to macro themes, theories and perspectives
• Activities give students ideas on how to take each theme area further
• Production tips throughout to help students integrate theory and practice during their course
• Each subsection of the book ends with a Practice Task to give students exam practice and to help them with the evaluation of their outcomes

Table of Contents:
1 Media Literacy for A2
2.1 Advanced Portfolio: the step up from AS
2.2 Advanced Portfolio: responding to the set brief
3.1 Critical Perspectives: writing about production
3.2 Critical Perspectives: themes
4.1 Media and Collective Identity
4.2 Global Media
4.3 Media in the Online Age
4.4 'We Media' and Democracy
4.5 Contemporary Media Regulation
4.6 Postmodern Media
5 Preparing for a media degree
Glossary
Study resources
Index

About the Author(s):
Dr Julian McDougall is Reader in Media and Education and Head of Creative Arts at Newman University College, Birmingham. He is the author of a number of bestselling media books, including OCR MEDIA STUDIES FOR AS (Hodder Education, 2008) and THE MEDIA TEACHER'S BOOK (Hodder Education, 2006). He is a principal examiner for A2 Media Studies.

Contributors:
Pete Fraser, Chief Examiner of a leading examination board, has written the foreword.

Readership:
16-19 years