Hello!
We have been looking at some of the genre and narrative conventions of vampire films. Now you need to find a trailer for a genre of your choice and prepare a presentation for the rest of the class. This will be given in Friday's lessons.
In your presentation make sure you have a link to the trailer; explain an audience's expectations of the genre in terms of conventions and narrative; and discuss the extent to which your trailer meets those expectations. Aim to use semiotic terminology to enhance your analysis. You can also give a little background to the film and discuss what you like about the film / genre etc.
Have fun!
Nina
Monday, 16 June 2014
Friday, 13 June 2014
Vampire Image
A vampire image for semiotic analysis!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6f8Z5mITNmoNVBxdVVWMHo4RXM/edit?usp=sharing
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Vampire Links
Here are some more vampire trailers to look at. You need to prepare an analysis of one of them to PRESENT TO THE CLASS next lesson. I will give you the trailer to analyse and you will work in pairs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edLB6YWZ-R4
Twilight
Interview with a Vampire
Let the Right One In
Nosferatu
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The Lost Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edLB6YWZ-R4
Twilight
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Welcome Back!
Hello Comms Students!
Hope all your exams went well and you are looking forward to the next stage of your studies.
We have begun looking at the narrative conventions associated with the genre of vampire films. We have discussed some initial ideas about the conventions and had a look at the trailer from the film Byzantium.
You need to watch the trailer a couple more times and start to pick out and 'read' more of the detail. Make notes on the attached sheet. Byzantium Notes
You then need to post a detailed analysis of the trailer on your blog. Aim to use the key terminology you are already familiar with. You should be discussing the semiotics of the trailer eg the significance and connotations of certain sounds, objects images; is there a dominant ideology apparent or being challenged etc?
Byzantium Trailer:
Another good place to start with vampire narrative is Bram Stoker's Dracula
http://www.literature.org/authors/stoker-bram/dracula/index.html
Nina
Hope all your exams went well and you are looking forward to the next stage of your studies.
We have begun looking at the narrative conventions associated with the genre of vampire films. We have discussed some initial ideas about the conventions and had a look at the trailer from the film Byzantium.
You need to watch the trailer a couple more times and start to pick out and 'read' more of the detail. Make notes on the attached sheet. Byzantium Notes
You then need to post a detailed analysis of the trailer on your blog. Aim to use the key terminology you are already familiar with. You should be discussing the semiotics of the trailer eg the significance and connotations of certain sounds, objects images; is there a dominant ideology apparent or being challenged etc?
Byzantium Trailer:
We will be looking at some more vampire trailers and will be watching lots of film next year, so a bit of background reading about the genre will be great!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VampireAnother good place to start with vampire narrative is Bram Stoker's Dracula
http://www.literature.org/authors/stoker-bram/dracula/index.html
Nina
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Reading Images - Question 3
Hello....the countdown is on!!
Make sure you have revised all the key terminology for this question. Use the following to help you:
Semiotic Approach
Barthes and De Saussure
Process Approach
The following are the type of questions you could be asked:
Semiotics Questions
Comms Terminology Some of you will have this!
Have a look at some example exam papers and answer the questions on the paper and then apply any of the other questions from the sheet to the images.
Past Papers - we have looked at quite a few of these but, as I said, explore them through a wider range of questions.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/communication-and-culture/a-level/communication-and-culture-2625/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
Thanks
Nina
Make sure you have revised all the key terminology for this question. Use the following to help you:
Semiotic Approach
Barthes and De Saussure
Process Approach
The following are the type of questions you could be asked:
Semiotics Questions
Comms Terminology Some of you will have this!
Have a look at some example exam papers and answer the questions on the paper and then apply any of the other questions from the sheet to the images.
Past Papers - we have looked at quite a few of these but, as I said, explore them through a wider range of questions.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/communication-and-culture/a-level/communication-and-culture-2625/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
Thanks
Nina
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Focus on Question 1
Hello
Today I would like you to think about the type of information you need to answer the first question in your exam. This could ask you about:
On your blog, make a note of all the terminology / concepts / theorists / ideas which you could possibly discuss in this question (if relevant!)
TASK TWO:
On your own, create a response to the following question
Popular culture is a form of cultural pollution which undermines traditional values and standards.
This guide might help you to structure a response Response Structure
Next, find one or two other people and integrate the best parts of your responses to create a "wonder-essay!" and send to me!
Nina
Today I would like you to think about the type of information you need to answer the first question in your exam. This could ask you about:
- how you would define culture
- the meanings and practices of everyday life
- the contrast between high culture and popular culture
- how we value culture
On your blog, make a note of all the terminology / concepts / theorists / ideas which you could possibly discuss in this question (if relevant!)
TASK TWO:
On your own, create a response to the following question
Popular culture is a form of cultural pollution which undermines traditional values and standards.
This guide might help you to structure a response Response Structure
Next, find one or two other people and integrate the best parts of your responses to create a "wonder-essay!" and send to me!
Nina
Monday, 21 April 2014
COMM 1 A focus on Question 3 - Reading Images
Hello and welcome back! Hope you had a good break from college and not too much of a break from learning!
This lesson we are going to focus on Question 3.
To get your brains in gear, you need to write a quick quiz to test your fellow classmates knowledge of the terminology and theory needed for this question. Write 5 questions (you have a maximum of 10 minutes for this) that will test understanding. Post your questions on the Padlet Page and then have a go at some of the ones posted. Try to think beyond the obvious for a couple of them!! Comms Padlet Page
Next, we will look at a Question 3 altogether (June 2010) and then you can have a go a writing a full response for that and for the other examples the reading images questions. Remember you will have 26 minutes to do this response in the exam!
June 2010
June 2011
January 2012
Bonne Chance mes amies! (Is this a barrier to communication?)
Nina
This lesson we are going to focus on Question 3.
To get your brains in gear, you need to write a quick quiz to test your fellow classmates knowledge of the terminology and theory needed for this question. Write 5 questions (you have a maximum of 10 minutes for this) that will test understanding. Post your questions on the Padlet Page and then have a go at some of the ones posted. Try to think beyond the obvious for a couple of them!! Comms Padlet Page
Next, we will look at a Question 3 altogether (June 2010) and then you can have a go a writing a full response for that and for the other examples the reading images questions. Remember you will have 26 minutes to do this response in the exam!
June 2010
June 2011
January 2012
Bonne Chance mes amies! (Is this a barrier to communication?)
Nina
Friday, 4 April 2014
Exploring the Key Concepts
Morning!
As you know, the key concepts are at the heart of any response to an exam question. Your first task is to post your understanding of the key concepts on your blog. What are they and how would you define them.
Next, I would like you to consider the following cultural practices and make notes about them with reference to as many key concepts as you can.
You can use the table if you wish, or make notes in your own way.
Why we do what we do!
Finally, I would like you to analyse your bedroom in terms of the key concepts and the toolkit for analysis (signifier, signified, connotation etc)
You need to describe your room in as much detail as possible. Then explore what the different items signify in terms of your identity, power etc.
I will also come to discuss the moderation week work with you.
Easter Holiday Work:
Feel free to look at a range of exam papers and have a go.
Access to all past papers
Nina
As you know, the key concepts are at the heart of any response to an exam question. Your first task is to post your understanding of the key concepts on your blog. What are they and how would you define them.
Next, I would like you to consider the following cultural practices and make notes about them with reference to as many key concepts as you can.
You can use the table if you wish, or make notes in your own way.
Why we do what we do!
Finally, I would like you to analyse your bedroom in terms of the key concepts and the toolkit for analysis (signifier, signified, connotation etc)
You need to describe your room in as much detail as possible. Then explore what the different items signify in terms of your identity, power etc.
I will also come to discuss the moderation week work with you.
Easter Holiday Work:
- Organise all your notes.
- Learn as much terminology and theory as you can. Making some flashcards is a useful way to do this.
- Write a 15 question quiz that we can do when we come back. Bring this to your first lesson back.
- Complete all the responses to the exam paper we looked at this week (obviously leave out the one you have already done!) Follow this link: January 2011
Feel free to look at a range of exam papers and have a go.
Access to all past papers
Nina
Friday, 21 March 2014
Moderation Week Work
Hello!
Here is a list of tasks to do over Moderation Week.
Task 1
Spend some time over the week going through the terminology. Complete the table so that you show your understanding of the term through giving a definition and an example.
Terminology Grid
Task 2
Please post on your blog a detailed analysis of the Barbie image, posted on my previous blog post. This needs to be discussed the image in terms of a process approach and in terms of a semiotic approach. Also, consider the key concepts.....you know what they are!!
Task 3
Watch the following text and answer the questions below.
Nick Griffin Clip
How do you, as a Comms student, react to this text? What key concepts are relevant here? Write a detailed blog post analysing the video.
Some areas / starting points for your analysis:
What does the location of the clip suggest to you?
What is he wearing? What does this suggest about his identity?
What is the importance of cookery shows as a cultural practice? How has he exploited this?
What are his political views? How might they conflict with the content of this clip?
What does this clip say about the importance of food and group/personal identity?
Who are the audience for this clip? What message might Nick Griffin want them to receive?
Use these questions as the basis for your response, but feel free to explore other areas also.
This question has been designed with question four of the summer examination in mind. You need to discuss the cultural implications of this video, as well as perhaps some semiotic analysis such as key signifiers in the text, use of register, etc. Basically, you need to write in an academic communication and culture register and use the relevant terminology correctly.
Finally, Task 4
Have a go at the following exam paper.
June 2010 Paper
Write your responses on paper and hand in to me on Tuesday 1st April.
NB: All other responses can be posted on your blogs.
Please email me if you have any problems: nst@......
Good Luck and I will see you next week.
Nina
Here is a list of tasks to do over Moderation Week.
Task 1
Spend some time over the week going through the terminology. Complete the table so that you show your understanding of the term through giving a definition and an example.
Terminology Grid
Task 2
Please post on your blog a detailed analysis of the Barbie image, posted on my previous blog post. This needs to be discussed the image in terms of a process approach and in terms of a semiotic approach. Also, consider the key concepts.....you know what they are!!
Task 3
Watch the following text and answer the questions below.
Nick Griffin Clip
How do you, as a Comms student, react to this text? What key concepts are relevant here? Write a detailed blog post analysing the video.
Some areas / starting points for your analysis:
What does the location of the clip suggest to you?
What is he wearing? What does this suggest about his identity?
What is the importance of cookery shows as a cultural practice? How has he exploited this?
What are his political views? How might they conflict with the content of this clip?
What does this clip say about the importance of food and group/personal identity?
Who are the audience for this clip? What message might Nick Griffin want them to receive?
Use these questions as the basis for your response, but feel free to explore other areas also.
This question has been designed with question four of the summer examination in mind. You need to discuss the cultural implications of this video, as well as perhaps some semiotic analysis such as key signifiers in the text, use of register, etc. Basically, you need to write in an academic communication and culture register and use the relevant terminology correctly.
Finally, Task 4
Have a go at the following exam paper.
June 2010 Paper
Write your responses on paper and hand in to me on Tuesday 1st April.
NB: All other responses can be posted on your blogs.
Please email me if you have any problems: nst@......
Good Luck and I will see you next week.
Nina
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Question 2 - Identity
Morning!
We have spent some time thinking about a couple of culture questions. Now you need to think about the type of question you could get asked for Question, which has its focus on IDENTITY.
a) The media encourages us to fit in with conventional norms related to appearance.
b)One of the positive aspects of life in the 21st century is that we have a huge amount of choice when it comes to our self-presentation, particularly our appearance.
c) Ideologies associated with appearance can be restrictive and damaging to a person's self esteem.
We have spent some time thinking about a couple of culture questions. Now you need to think about the type of question you could get asked for Question, which has its focus on IDENTITY.
- Like last week, read the following questions and find some articles / information that could be used to support any response you make.
a) The media encourages us to fit in with conventional norms related to appearance.
b)One of the positive aspects of life in the 21st century is that we have a huge amount of choice when it comes to our self-presentation, particularly our appearance.
c) Ideologies associated with appearance can be restrictive and damaging to a person's self esteem.
- When you have done this, write a plan for each essay, using the guide attached below.
- Now choose an essay and write an exam standard response. Remember to refer to the key concepts of power, value, representation, code, culture, communication and context.
Extension Task:
Analyse the following image using your knowledge from the toolkit (semiotic and process approaches). Link your ideas to the key concepts, with particular focus on representation and identity.
Friday, 14 March 2014
Benetton Adverts
Hello!
Here is the link to some Benetton adverts which we discussed in terms of how open they were to interpretation and how limited they were in their anchorage. Have a look through them. There are lots of discussions about them online. Let me know what you think.
Benetton Link
Also, have a look at this advert for shampoo and think about about how men and woman are represented differently through language.
Shampoo
Here is the link to some Benetton adverts which we discussed in terms of how open they were to interpretation and how limited they were in their anchorage. Have a look through them. There are lots of discussions about them online. Let me know what you think.
Benetton Link
Also, have a look at this advert for shampoo and think about about how men and woman are represented differently through language.
Shampoo
Research and Evidence
Good Morning!
Hope you are feeling bright and cheerful today!
Today, you are going to work on collecting evidence to support ideas on a question about popular culture. You will then need to create an essay plan for each question. Put all your work on your blog.
Activity One Revision of Popular Culture
Write a list of popular cultural activities and practices (as many as you can!)
What function do they serve? What needs do they fulfil in the individual or society? What makes them popular and why are they valued? Are there any negative effects on society? What problems arise from certain popular practices or activities?
The above questions are at the centre of any question about culture.
Activity Two Researching Interesting Examples
When you respond to a question, you have to support your point and relevant theory with examples. This task is to get you to think about what you could refer to!
Look at the following questions and find TWO articles that you could refer to for each question. Make sure you put a link and a summary of the article on your blog. Can you also put the link (if someone else hasn't) on Padlet please! http://padlet.com/wall/commsimages
A) One of the great things about popular culture is that it allows people to express their individulality.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which discuss people expressing themselves through self presentation.
B) Popular cultural activities often encourage controversial, potentially damaging behaviour.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which are controversial or dangerous.
C) Popular cultural activities are worthy of study because they give insights into the beliefs and values associated with our culture.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which exemplify what we believe and think is important in our society.
Now plan a response for each question:
Introduce the key concepts to be discussed.
Plan three paragraphs with a topic sentence.
Sum up your points and make sure you link back to the question.
= FIVE PARAGRAPHS!!
Any questions, just ask.
Nina
Hope you are feeling bright and cheerful today!
Today, you are going to work on collecting evidence to support ideas on a question about popular culture. You will then need to create an essay plan for each question. Put all your work on your blog.
Activity One Revision of Popular Culture
Write a list of popular cultural activities and practices (as many as you can!)
What function do they serve? What needs do they fulfil in the individual or society? What makes them popular and why are they valued? Are there any negative effects on society? What problems arise from certain popular practices or activities?
The above questions are at the centre of any question about culture.
Activity Two Researching Interesting Examples
When you respond to a question, you have to support your point and relevant theory with examples. This task is to get you to think about what you could refer to!
Look at the following questions and find TWO articles that you could refer to for each question. Make sure you put a link and a summary of the article on your blog. Can you also put the link (if someone else hasn't) on Padlet please! http://padlet.com/wall/commsimages
A) One of the great things about popular culture is that it allows people to express their individulality.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which discuss people expressing themselves through self presentation.
B) Popular cultural activities often encourage controversial, potentially damaging behaviour.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which are controversial or dangerous.
C) Popular cultural activities are worthy of study because they give insights into the beliefs and values associated with our culture.
Find two articles or news stories about popular cultural practices or products which exemplify what we believe and think is important in our society.
Now plan a response for each question:
Introduce the key concepts to be discussed.
Plan three paragraphs with a topic sentence.
Sum up your points and make sure you link back to the question.
= FIVE PARAGRAPHS!!
Any questions, just ask.
Nina
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Semiotics
Morning!
This lesson we are going to continue looking at the semiotic approach to reading texts. I will go through some more key terms with you and then there are a range of exercises for you to do to make you think and develop your understanding of some quite difficult concepts.
I have attached the powerpoint presentations too, so you can refer back to them if you need to.
De Saussure and Barthes PPT
Pierce
De Saussure Signs
Denotation Exercise
Exam Style Question
Semiotic Approach PPT
Now you are armed with the key terminology, you need to make sure you learn it all so that we can do lots of practising applying your knowledge to a range of texts. You can do this yourself everyday! How about "reading" your cereal box in the morning. Live and breathe Comms!!
Nina
This lesson we are going to continue looking at the semiotic approach to reading texts. I will go through some more key terms with you and then there are a range of exercises for you to do to make you think and develop your understanding of some quite difficult concepts.
I have attached the powerpoint presentations too, so you can refer back to them if you need to.
De Saussure and Barthes PPT
Pierce
De Saussure Signs
Denotation Exercise
Exam Style Question
Semiotic Approach PPT
Now you are armed with the key terminology, you need to make sure you learn it all so that we can do lots of practising applying your knowledge to a range of texts. You can do this yourself everyday! How about "reading" your cereal box in the morning. Live and breathe Comms!!
Nina
Friday, 28 February 2014
Image Analysis
Morning!
Have look at this image of Tilda Swinton. Explore the image referring to the questions and the key concepts. Respond on your Blog as thoroughly as possible!
Tilda Swinton Resource
When you have done this, add some more images to Padlet to discuss. Then choose one, and make some notes on your Blog discussing the key concepts and ideas such as stereotypes and text conventions.
Have fun!
Nina
Have look at this image of Tilda Swinton. Explore the image referring to the questions and the key concepts. Respond on your Blog as thoroughly as possible!
Tilda Swinton Resource
When you have done this, add some more images to Padlet to discuss. Then choose one, and make some notes on your Blog discussing the key concepts and ideas such as stereotypes and text conventions.
Have fun!
Nina
Friday, 14 February 2014
Half Term Work
Hello
There is no escape!
Task One
Please find attached the whole of the June 2011 paper. You have done work on Questions 1 & 4. Now I want you to work on Question 2. June 2011
You MUST post your response to this question onto your blogs - in as much detail as possible.
Task Two
We will be continuing work on reading images. It would be useful to have a bank of images to look at and discuss. Find an interesting image online that you think we could discuss. Really, any image is of value here! Provide a link to the Padlet Wall http://padlet.com/wall/commsimages
You can provide as many as you want. Just put on your name and provide a brief description of it with a short comment on why you think it is interesting and why you have included it.
Great stuff! Have fun!
Nina
There is no escape!
Task One
Please find attached the whole of the June 2011 paper. You have done work on Questions 1 & 4. Now I want you to work on Question 2. June 2011
You MUST post your response to this question onto your blogs - in as much detail as possible.
Task Two
We will be continuing work on reading images. It would be useful to have a bank of images to look at and discuss. Find an interesting image online that you think we could discuss. Really, any image is of value here! Provide a link to the Padlet Wall http://padlet.com/wall/commsimages
You can provide as many as you want. Just put on your name and provide a brief description of it with a short comment on why you think it is interesting and why you have included it.
Great stuff! Have fun!
Nina
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Groups
- A recap of some key ideas about groups.
Group Identity and Communication
Subcultures
Codes
Try and link these ideas to your findings about sub-cultural groups!
- Post a comment on what different groups you belong to (not necessarily subcultural). How can you differentiate between them? How does your identity change? Think about your verbal communication / non-verbal communication / where the power lies etc Why do you belong to these groups...refer to your notes.
- How would you repsond to this? What attitude is being expressed? What would you discuss? What identity and group theories could you refer to? Post a comment on your blog.
"Perhaps I'm getting too old to understand but it seems to me that most young people today go out of their way to look ridiculous. Perhaps they just don't like themselves. How else can you explain the tattoos and body piercings? Why else would they dress in the style of convicts, hardened criminals or extras from a horror film? As for music, the most popular types seem to celebrate negative or anti-social behaviour: violence, drug abuse, suicide, selfharm and anti-materialism. Is it all the fault of the older generation for bringing up youths who just reject society's values"
Subculture Research
Hello guys!
You will be writing an exam style response in your lesson on Friday. In order to prepare for this, you need to add to your knowledge. I would like you to do some reserach to find out about what subcultures are; the different types of subcultures; specific details about specific subcultures.
You need to post your research onto an online noticeboard. This means that you can share your findings with everyone else and, between you, you will build up an excellent resource bank!
Post your findings at Subculture Wall
In order to post, you need to double click on the sky. Write a title and a summary of the article in the box and create a link to it. This is quite straightforward to do but you need to have saved the article first.
Look for articles on the BBC website, The Guardian, The Independent etc!
Good Luck!
Nina
You will be writing an exam style response in your lesson on Friday. In order to prepare for this, you need to add to your knowledge. I would like you to do some reserach to find out about what subcultures are; the different types of subcultures; specific details about specific subcultures.
You need to post your research onto an online noticeboard. This means that you can share your findings with everyone else and, between you, you will build up an excellent resource bank!
Post your findings at Subculture Wall
In order to post, you need to double click on the sky. Write a title and a summary of the article in the box and create a link to it. This is quite straightforward to do but you need to have saved the article first.
Look for articles on the BBC website, The Guardian, The Independent etc!
Good Luck!
Nina
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Coursework Support Resource
Hello Guys
Here is a resource with an overview of theories and ideas relating to groups, identity, communication and so on. It is just to be used as a reminder about the types of research and theory you could refer to in your presentation. Don't forget that I would like to see evidence of wider reading too - the BBC and The Guardian are both good starting places for independent research.
Comms Theories
We have discussed most of these, some in more depth than others!
Enjoy
Nina
Here is a resource with an overview of theories and ideas relating to groups, identity, communication and so on. It is just to be used as a reminder about the types of research and theory you could refer to in your presentation. Don't forget that I would like to see evidence of wider reading too - the BBC and The Guardian are both good starting places for independent research.
Comms Theories
We have discussed most of these, some in more depth than others!
Enjoy
Nina
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