General Reading 9 - Passage 2
| Questions 15-20 |
Oxford Tutorial CollegeA 'A' Level Film Studies specifications are designed to deepen students' understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of film. A wide range of films is studied and students are encouraged to explore the artistic, cultural and economic meanings produced by the form. Film Studies combines well with a variety of other subjects, including Modern Languages, Art and Design and Art History. B The emphasis is on visual storytelling and audience response. As such, the course develops skills of observation, critical analysis and personal reflection, which may be taken forward into degree courses for arts, humanities, media and related fields. Film Studies 'A' level also provides a strong base for progression to undergraduate studies in Film Theory, Film Criticism and Film History. C Students of Film Studies are not required to have completed a GCSE in a related subject prior to undertaking 'A' level, though a grade C or better in English Language is recommended. Some experience of textual analysis such as in literature or humanities would be very helpful, particularly if the student aims to complete the course in one year. Prospective students of this subject should certainly have an interest in a broad range of films, including non Hollywood films. |
D The course tutor is Andrew Hogan, who is a Media Studies graduate of Luton University. His life-long passion for film has led him into teaching, and into a variety of film-related jobs, most notably as education officer for the Oxford art house cinema The Phoenix Picture House. He is currently teaching himself 16mm cinematography and attempting to watch at least two new films a day. E Students wishing to re-take Film Studies can do so over a year with the exam being taken in June. Time is taken to consolidate and improve on knowledge and skills which were lacking the first time round. Where the modular results have been uneven the better marks can be retained, with concentration focused solely on those modules in which the candidate under-performed. F Film Studies is normally structured to combine small seminar groups with individual tuition. The induction period develops students' own understanding of their experience as film viewers. The relationship between spectator and film underpins the approach to cinema for this specification. Students normally attend four group seminars a week and also receive one hour of individual tuition per week to support group discussions and independent work required by the coursework units. |
| Questions 21-27 |
What's on offer in the private sectorJenny Harrison reportsNot all schools can offer the range of courses and expertise that is available at Parish Court. In addition to the highly motivated staff, they also have an impressive range of resources that should suit all those interested. in updating their IT skills. Located in a 16th century farmhouse in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, the surroundings offer ample quiet for study periods. All courses are residential so be prepared to pay! if you live a busy, hectic lifestyle, you will appreciate the possibility of attending the course of your choice, without adding to your daily travel programme. Harvard Benn Centre is only a five-minute walk from the mainline station and so is within easy access to students, even if they live outside the town. The offices cover four floors of the building and have been brought up to date following a year long refurbishment plan. A recent bike in fees has followed, though. At James Cattan the suite of purpose-built classrooms which provide all kinds of up-to-the-minute facilities are impressive, Situated in a prize section of Lakeland Science Park, they pride themselves on being one of the first adult education centres in the area to be able to promote the fact that they fully cater for students with mobility problems and the good parking facilities might also tempt those who choose riot to walk from the city bus terminal All this for quite reasonable. course rates. Be prepared to walk right past ICE. The rather modest identification outside the building amounts to little more than a small board in the Victorian window. However, once inside, all feelings of doubt are removed by the bustling energy of the staff and the lively interior. Classrooms and courses are well signposted and if you don't know where to go, there is always someone there to lend a hand. Fees are standard. It's an unusual name for a school but Romeo's Institute aims to lure you into their educational extravaganza with brightly-coloured furniture, high-tech gadgetry and a trendy restaurant. So far so good, but do the quality of the staff and what's can offer match the external. surroundings? The answer is 'yes' and 'no': They teach a few courses well but it would benefit from having a little more on offer. Fees could. also be lower. |