The Exam

In the exam you:

b. have a choice of two questions

c. have 60 minutes to answer the ‘Collective identity’ question

d. MUST write about two media (e.g. film and magazines. It doesn’t need to be even between the two media, so could be 90% on one and 10% on the other)

e. Must include theory or theorists and apply them to your case studies

f. Should be able to discuss past, present and future

We have looked at collective identity in terms of British teen/ youth and class. Other schools will have looked at all sorts (e.g. Africans; Muslims; Northerners; the upper class…). The exam question will be broad enough so that you can write about whatever area you have studied.

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These are the kind of questions you will be asked.

1. Discuss the contemporary representation of a nation, region or social group in the media, using specific textual examples from at least two media to support your answer. (Exam Board Sample)

2. How far does the representation of a particular social group change over time? Refer to at least two media in your answer. (Exam Board Sample)

3. Looking at two media, describe the ways in which a particular group of people are collectively represented or provided for, using specific examples to support your response. (Textbook)

4. Analyse the ways in which the media represent one group of people that you have studied. (Jan 2010)

5. “The media do not construct collective identity; they merely reflect it”. Discuss. (Jan 2010)

A couple of bonus ideas:

6. To what extent do audiences use media to construct their own sense of collective identity?

7. “The media has replaced family, society and religion as the main source of collective identity.” Discuss.