Media

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Intent

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 media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. 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.

Objectives

  • demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
  • acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues
  • develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics
  • understand and apply specialist subject-specific terminology 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
  • appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
  • develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

In KS4, the Media Studies curriculum is designed to allow students to develop their understanding of media form (Media Language, Representation, Audience and Industry). Learners will explore how a variety of Media texts reflect and are influenced by their social, economic, political and historical contexts. Learners will also consider the ways in which audiences respond to a variety of texts; supported by a theoretical framework. Issues and key aspects of the Media will also be studied such as: regulation, ownership, distribution, audience consumption and technology. In the second year of the course learners will further develop their understanding of the Media and surrounding issues from a critical perspective; analysing further texts as selected by WJEC/Eduqas. The final part of the course draws together the students understanding and knowledge of the media and theoretical frameworks by requiring them to produce their own Media text (set out by the exam board). Learners are encouraged to work independently to carry out research, planning and imagination during this process.

Review and Evaluate

The Media department are continually striving to develop their own teaching practice, drawing upon the latest research, exam marking experience, and meeting with our wider network of schools. Our curriculum is therefore a “living document” that is reviewed and reshaped according to the needs of our students, to ensure they achieve their potential, and go on to flourish in the wider world.

Further Information

If you require more detailed information, please email the Head of Department. Mr Sheard:

KS4 - Media

Eduqas Media Studies

 

What will I be studying?

Learners study a range of media forms in terms of a theoretical framework which consists of media language, representation, media industries and audiences.

 

Areas of the framework are studied in the following way across the three components:

 

Component 1 Exploring the Media

 

This component provides a foundation for analysing media products, introducing learners to media language and representation through the study of print media forms. Learners will develop their ability to analyse media language, representations and meanings in a range of media products. In addition, learners will study products from specific media industries and audiences to develop their knowledge and understanding of those areas of the theoretical framework. Learners will also begin to explore how media products reflect, and are influenced by, the social, cultural, historical and political contexts in which they are produced.

 

The following media forms will be studied:

Media forms

Areas to be studied

 

Newspapers (sections A and B)

 

In-depth study covering all areas of the theoretical framework: Media language (section A) Representation (section A) Media industries (section B) Audiences (section B) Media contexts (section A)

Advertising and Marketing (section A)

Media language Representation Media contexts

Magazines (section A)

Media language Representation Media contexts

Radio (section B)

Media industries Audiences Media contexts

Video games (section B)

Media industries Audiences

Film (section B)

Media industries

 

 

 

 

Component 2 Understanding Media Forms and Products

 

This component builds on the introduction to key areas of the theoretical framework provided in Component 1. In Component 2, learners will gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of media language and representation, as well as extending their appreciation of these areas through the study of media industries and audiences.

 

Learners will also develop knowledge and understanding of how relevant social, cultural, political and historical contexts of media influence media products.

 

In this component learners will explore particular media forms in depth through both of the following topics:

1) Television: crime drama or sitcom

2) Music: music video and online media.

 

 

Component 3 Understanding Media Forms and Products

 

 

This component draws together knowledge and understanding of the media theoretical framework gained throughout their course by requiring learners to apply their knowledge and understanding of the media synoptically through practical production.

 

In Components 1 and 2, learners gain a detailed understanding of media language, representation and audience in relation to a range of media forms. In this component, learners must apply their knowledge and understanding of media language and representation to an individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC.

 

The set production briefs will change every year, requiring learners to create a production in a different genre/style and/or for a different intended audience. Task-specific indicative content will be issued each year with the non-exam assessment briefs. Production briefs will always be set in the following media forms: television, magazines, film marketing and music marketing. The briefs will always specify the intended target audience, as well as other key requirements such as genre/style.

 

Learners will develop a response to their chosen brief by creating a production aimed at the specified intended audience.

 

The following media forms and frameworks will form the basis of all set briefs:

  • Television - Create a sequence from a new television programme or a website to promote a new television programme.
  • Advertising and Marketing: Music - Create a music video or a website to promote a new artist/band.
  • Advertising and Marketing: Film - Print-based marketing material for a new film.
  • Magazines - Create a new print or online magazine.

 

 

 

Career Links

Media studies will equip you for a wide range of jobs, including as a:

  •  
  • advertising media buyer
  •  
  • media researcher
  • broadcast journalist
  •  
  • social media manager

 

How will I be assessed?

Component 1: Exploring the Media Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of qualification​

  • Section A: Exploring Media Language and Representation​
  • Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences​

 

Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 30% of qualification ​

  • Section A: Television​
  • Section B: Music (music videos and online media) ​

 

Component 3: Creating Media Products Non-exam assessment 30% of qualification

 

Which examination board am I following?

Eduqas/WJEC GCSE Media Studies

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/ztnygk7

https://resources.wjec.co.uk/pages/ResourceByArgs.aspx?subid=20&lvlid=2