The media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. The economic importance of the media is also unquestionable. The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase.
Students taking this course will:
· develop critical thinking and decision-making skills through consideration of issues that are important, real and relevant to learners and to the world in which they live
· develop their appreciation and understanding of the importance and role of the media in their daily lives
· develop their practical skills through opportunities for personal engagement and creative media production
· understand how to use key concepts and specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse media products
· develop an understanding of media products in relation to their industry contexts
· evaluate and reflect on their own practical work
Component 1: Exploring the Media
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of qualification
Section A: Exploring Media Language and Representation
This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following print media forms: magazines, marketing (film posters), newspapers, or print advertisements. There are two questions in this section:
· one question assessing media language in relation to one set product (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
· one two-part question assessing representation in relation to one set product and one unseen resource in the same media form. Part (a) is based on media contexts. Part (b) requires comparison through an extended response.
Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences
This section assesses two of the following media forms: film, newspapers, radio, video games. It includes:
· one stepped question on media industries
· one stepped question on audiences.
Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 30% of qualification
This component assesses all areas of the theoretical framework and contexts of the media in relation to television and music.
Section A: Television
· one question on either media language or representation, which will be based on an extract from one of the set television programme episodes to be viewed in the examination (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
· one question on media industries, audiences or media contexts.
Section B: Music (music videos and online media)
· one question on either media language or representation (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
· one question on media industries, audiences or media contexts.
Component 3: Creating Media Products
Non-exam assessment 30% of qualification
An individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC/Eduqas, applying knowledge and understanding of media language and representation.
See Mr Fay for more information.