Media

GCSE Media Studies

The OCR GCSE (9-1) in Media Studies offers a broad, coherent and rigorous course of study that has been created to ensure that all types of learners can fulfil their potential, preparing them to make informed decisions about further study and progression to AS Level and A Level.  The study of Media enables learners to develop a range of skills covering the analysis and creation of media products.

When analysing media learners will:

• Demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision making and analysis.

• Develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics.

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues.

• Respond through discursive writing to show knowledge and understanding of media issues.

• Use specialist subject specific terminology appropriately to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed in order to make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues.

When creating media learners will:

• Develop practical skills by creating their own independent media production.

• Apply knowledge and understanding of media language and representation from the theoretical framework to a media production.

• Use media language to express and communicate meaning to an intended audience.

Assessment

Paper1:  Television and Promoting the Media (Section A: Television; Section B Promoting Media) – 35%

Paper 2:  Music and News (Section A: Music; Section B: The News) – 35%

Coursework: Production (Choose from a set brief and create a product using one of the following media forms: Magazines; Television; Music Video; Online) – 30%

Students will complete the OCR GCSE (9-1) examinations at the end of Year 11.  For their coursework, learners must work independently  to research, plan and produce one individual media production in response to an OCR set brief.  The NEA briefs will change every year and will require learners to create a production of a different style/genre that fulfils a different purpose.  The briefs will always specify the intended target audience for the production and will require learners to develop their production in line with the requirements of the specified audience.

Progression routes for GCSE Media Studies

• A variety of A Level courses including: Media Studies; Film Studies; Psychology; Sociology; History; Geography.

• Level 2/3 courses in Art, Design and Media, Animation and Computer Games Design.

• Careers in Journalism, TV, Public Relations, Event Planning, Advertising, TV Production, Marketing, Photography.