Media Studies

Media Studies Double Award GCSE:
Examination Board - AQA

Course Content:
The aim of Media Studies is to turn a passive consumer of media texts into an active one.  The flexibility of the course means that students can choose a variety of media texts to study, including television, film, popular music and magazines.  They will apply their acquired theoretical knowledge, as well as their practical skills.  The course can, at all stages, be tailored to the needs of the students.  However, good literacy skills, enthusiasm and dedication are essential if candidates want to flurish in this subject.  A keen interest in most foms of media is essential (Radio, Film, Print and web based).

Scheme of Assessment:
This two year course is worth two GCSE grades.  60% of the marks will come from the coursework, which comprises of three assignments and full media campaign.

The remaining 40% of the marks will come from two exams.  For one of these, the material will be pre-released to allow the students to prepare their responses in advance.

Style of Learning:
Students are required to submit three coursework assignments of varying lengths, ranging from 500-1000 words.  Each of these assignments consists of an analysis of existing media products, a piece of production work and an evaluation.

In addition, the students must complete a larger piece of coursework which requires a response to an industry-realated brief.  This will involve producting a media campaign, from the ideas stage, all the way through to the practical production and post-production work.  Students may work individually or in small groups.

Homework:
A variety of homework assignments will be set, ranging from broadening the students' experience of a wide range of media texts from an analytical perspective, to drafting their short assignments.

Progression:
This course instructs students on both practical and theoretical levels, using a variety of ways of learning, such as small group activities, videos and ICT opportunities.  The GCSE course will prepare students for any post-16 Media course.

Media Studies is very useful for a whole range of careers.  Fundamentally, it is about levels of communication, and understanding how the media is working to manipulate its audience.  We deconstruct and challenge something that, although prevalent in everyone's lives, we often take for granted, and this is as much a life skill as an educational one.

Staff names:
Ms Blair (Head of Department)
Miss Jogi
Miss Thom
Miss Gledhill
Miss Libotte
Ms Lumb
Mrs Marklew
Miss Watson