NCEA Level 3 Media Studies (90602) 2008 — page 1 of 3
Assessment Schedule – 2008
Media Studies: Explain the relationship between a media genre and society (90602)
Evidence Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
Candidate responds to ONE of the three options.


Connections between genre
and society are made. At
least TWO clear connections
are made, supported with
evidence.
As for Achievement, plus:
As for Merit, plus:

Expands response to an
understanding of HOW and / or
WHY these relationships
occurred.

Evidence of perceptive and
cohesive argument that evaluates
the role of both genre and
relevant societal considerations.
Must discuss in terms of
genre, rather than specific
texts. To this end, some sense
of the nature of the genre is
indicated, or some reference
to the text being
representative of the genre.

Analysis is of the genre’s
relationship with society, not
the text(s).


Shows an understanding of
identified society.
Builds on Merit answer by
providing a response deduced
from textual evidence and analysis
of genre already covered, ie more
than just a concluding statement.

Clearly outlines the nature of the
genre discussed.


There may be some evidence of
evaluation, but it is not
sustained or relevant throughout
the answer.
Integrates genre, society and
textual evidence in a coherent
response.

Can include valid speculation as to
future trends in the relationship
between genre and society.

THREE texts discussed.

Society should be clearly
identified.

Occasional oversimplification
or irrelevance, or
generalisation with evidence
may occur.
Eg:
Option A (extract)
Eg:
Option A (extract)
Eg:
Option A (extract)
“The genre of science fiction films
reflect the social context they are
created in. From the current fears
of the day, the genre’s storylines
and characters are created. We
see future worlds where our worst
fears are played out. We see
worlds with artificial intelligence
taking over, such as The Matrix
(1999), at the peak of Y2K fears.
At a time when genetic
engineering was being explored
as a reality in the 90s, Gattaca
(1997), was created. Within this
future world, we see at first a
utopian world where technology
has advanced our society, but
through the film, we receive a
warning how far genetic
engineering can go to create a
society split apart.”
“In science fiction films we can see
the current social context and the
climate of fears reflected in the
storylines.
In a society where our technology
has moved into our own genetic
engineering, the genre reflects the
underlying fears of such
manipulation. At the same time that
a sheep is successfully cloned in
Gattaca (1997), we see a reflection
of what our society aspires to, while
also a warning of where technology
may take us. The genre provides a
safe platform to explore where these
science advancements may take us
and gives the audience the lesson
that humanity is what makes us
succeed, not technology … ”
“Presently the social context of war,
international terrorism, bird flu and
mistrust of others is reflected in
science fiction films such as Children
of Men (2006) and V for Vendetta
(2006).
Within Children of Men, our fears are
realised and we see a future world of
military rule, worldwide infertility and
people cast aside, separated by class
and nationality. It makes us reflect on
current developments in society. It
shows us the result of the xenophobia
and propaganda we are beginning to
see in the current social climate post 9
/ 11. Ironically, in V for Vendetta, it is
the terrorist who is our hero … ”
NCEA Level 3 Media Studies (90602) 2008 — page 2 of 3
Eg:
Option B (extract)
Eg:
Option B (extract)
Eg:
Option B (extract)
“As society has changed, so too
has the content and style of
science fiction films. Pre-WWII
science fiction concentrated on
individual conflicts rather than
global or national ones. Post-war
storylines involved global threat
and travel outside our worlds.
This reflected society’s awareness
of new technology and the
beginning of living under a
constant nuclear threat. This can
be seen in the creation of the
Japanese film Godzilla (1955),
where an atomic monster is a
direct reflection of the nuclear
horror witnessed.
As society’s technology and fears
change so too does the genre’s
content and style.”
“Science fiction films help us to work
through current society’s fears and
provide a warning of what may
become our future. As our fears
change, so too does the content of
science fiction films.
The most dramatic is the move from
pre-WWII to post-WWII. Content
moves from the state or individual
under threat to the world and
humankind. No longer is one person
mutated into a fly, but a world
invaded by tripod aliens. This
reflects the changing societal
concerns about nuclear war and
also, thanks to new technology, a
new available awareness of what is
happening all over the world. A new
sense of globalisation where
everybody is connected … ”
“Science fiction films maintain the
conventions of future worlds and
technology but what adapts with
changing times is the reflection of
what is keeping us awake at night.
Although they are set in future worlds,
the current society’s fears are the
main source of conflict within the films.
As our fears have changed and
developed, so too has science fiction
content.
With every development in society
alongside it, science fiction shows us
the consequences. With developments
in technology, we see robots taking
over the world; with genetic
engineering, we see crippling class
systems developed.”
Eg:
Option C (extract)
Eg:
Option C (extract)
Eg:
Option C (extract)
“Within the content of science
fiction films, society is able to be
warned about where current fears
may lead us and be influenced by
them.
Science fiction films have shaped
our idea of the future. Within the
films we see our future worlds and
are either basing our furniture and
fashion on it or having the chance
to visit what will happen without
consequence.
We learn and are influenced by
these films. We are shown what
may happen with continued
reliance on machines and new
technology such as genetic
engineering. The Terminator
(1984) and Terminator 2:
Judgement Day (1991), show the
result of machines taking over at a
time when technology was taking
off and we were still under the
threat of nuclear war. These films
show us that we are to be careful
about our futures.”
“With science fiction films we see a
pattern of fear about the loss of
humanity or individuality. We can be
influenced and learn consequences
from these films in a safe
environment. From these films we
learn to keep control and value our
humanity and uniqueness.
The Terminator (1984) was created
in a time with an impending shadow
of the bomb about to drop, alongside
a climate of economic excess.
Science fiction films reflect both of
these influences and audiences are
warned that reliance on machines
and the easier commercialism will
end in destruction.
With society experiencing the
economic setback of the late ‘80s
and the 1990 Iraq War, audiences
needed to be sent a different
message in The Terminator 2:
Judgement Day (1991), where they
could feel that the ‘terminator’ was
there to save them and in the future,
it is humans that have now found
control of the machine.”
“Science fiction films are successful
vehicles to re-establish humanity on
top so we are able to be positive about
our future. Within the films, celebrating
humanity is our secret weapon.
When aliens invade, we learn that we
will work as a collective force against
an outside threat. We feel better about
ourselves. We sleep better at night
knowing that the ‘baddy’ will not
conquer and humans will win on the
day.
The audience can be influenced to the
extent of these films being a form of
propaganda ‘rallying the troops’,
convincing us that together, the fight
can be won. After the 1990 Iraq War,
when American society was counting
the cost, films such as Independence
Day (1996) and Armageddon (1998),
were released. The society who
created these films align themselves
with the conquering humans and
create monsters of the alien / others
…”
NCEA Level 3 Media Studies (90602) 2008 — page 3 of 3
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
Candidate responds to ONE of the three statements.
 Connections between genre and
society are made. At least TWO
clear connections are made,
supported with evidence.
 Must discuss in terms of genre,
rather than specific texts. To this
end, some sense of the nature of
the genre is indicated, or some
reference to the text being
representative of the genre.
 THREE texts discussed.
 Society should be clearly
identified.
 Occasional oversimplification or
irrelevance, or generalisation
with evidence may occur.
As for Achievement, plus:
 Expands response to an
understanding of HOW and / or
WHY these relationships
occurred.
 Analysis is of the genre’s
relationship with society, not the
text(s).
 Shows an understanding of
identified society.
 Clearly outlines the nature of the
genre discussed.
 There may be some evidence of
evaluation, but it is not sustained
or relevant throughout the
answer.
As for Merit, plus:
 Evidence of perceptive and
cohesive argument that evaluates
the role of both genre and
relevant societal considerations.
 Builds on Merit answer by
providing a response deduced
from textual evidence and
analysis of genre already covered
ie more than just a concluding
statement.
 Integrates genre, society and
textual evidence in a coherent
response.
 Can include valid speculation as
to future trends in the relationship
between genre and society.