WHY SHOULD STUDENTS CHOOSE media studies?

You should study Media Studies if you enjoy looking beyond the surface meaning of media products.  It is ideal for those who are interested in understanding how the media works, and how media products achieve their intended goals.  Students will explore all media platforms, exploring how and why the media has grown and developed into what we see online, on television and in print today.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE?

• • The ability to consider different perspectives

  • The ability to challenge ideas using evidence

  • The ability to work independently and in a group

  • An interest in design and how things are presented visually

  • A reasonable knowledge of using computers

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

This course is suitable for students of all ability levels. Students with aspirations of Grade 7 and above can expect to move onto A Level or similar Media Studies courses.

All students will be taught how to use the relevant software programmes, which are all accessible within school.

Course DEscription

The course covers all forms of media, requiring students to analyse both pre-studied texts and unseen texts.  Students are then required to demonstrate their understanding through the creation of their own media text.

Course Content

GCSE Media Studies engages students in the in depth study of media products (these change year on year) in relation to the four areas of the theoretical framework:

·         media language

·         media representation

·         media industries

·         media audiences.

Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:

·         Television, film, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertising and marketing, online, social and participatory media, video games, music video

Assessment

Paper 1:

·         Written exam, 1 hour and 30 minutes

·         35% of overall grade

o   Section A – Media Language and Representations (unseen text and Close Study Products)

o   Section B – Media Industries and Media Audiences (unseen text and Close Study Products)

Paper 2:

·         Written exam, 1 hour and 30 minutes

·         35% of overall GCSE

o   Section A – based on an extract of one of the Close Study Products

o   Section B – based on newspapers or online

NEA

·         Set briefs are given for students to choose from

·         60 marks

·         30% of overall GCSE

o   Statement of intent – 300-400 words

o   Media product – a fully functional media text

FURTHER EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS

Media Studies provides and excellent grounding for anyone interested in working in analytical jobs, or any job in which marketing and advertising are key.  This course supports the analysis within English Language and Literature GCSE, whilst also giving students a good working knowledge of how the media influences their lives as a whole.