New GCEs for 2008
GCE Communication and Culture (2625)
Topics for assessment
(Examinations Update 3)
Introduction
Introducing AQA's new course specification for Communication and Culture for AS and A Level. This brand new specification replaces Communication Studies and has been 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 practices
- reflect developments in this field in higher education, but at a level that is accessible and stimulating for A Level students
The following information and specification outline will enable both practising Teachers and Subject Heads to be better informed and supported in the teaching of this subject, particularly if attending one of AQA's Teacher Support meetings.
Classification Codes
Every specification is assigned a national classification code indicating the subject area to which it belongs. The classification code for this specification is 5310.
Centres should be aware that candidates who enter for more than one GCE AS/A level qualification with the same classification code will have only one grade (the highest) counted for the purpose of the School and College Performance Tables.
Centres may wish to advise candidates that, if they take two specifications with the same classification code, universities and employers are very likely to take the view that they have achieved only one of the two GCE AS/A levels. The same view may be taken if candidates take two GCE AS/A level specifications that have different classification codes but have significant overlap of content. Candidates who have any doubts about their subject combinations should check with the university to which they wish to progress or company they wish to join, before embarking on their programmes.
Assessment Objectives
AO1 - demonstrate skills in the application of communication forms and competence and creativity in applying the conventions of written and multimedia formats
AO2 - demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, and critical debates relevant to the discipline of communication and culture
AO3 - demonstrate analytical, comparative and interpretive skills in applying relevant concepts and perspectives to cultural products and culture practices
AO4 - demonstrate the ability to identify and investigate primary and secondary material appropriate to the exploration of key concepts in communication and culture.
