Media

Head of Department: James Hogg
email: james.hogg@destafford.org.uk

The key characteristics of this course are:

GCSE Media Studies will help develop students’ interest and enjoyment of media texts.

Students will study films, television programmes, pop videos, advertising, magazines, video games, and newspapers etc. They will learn not only how to deconstruct and analyse such texts, but also how to construct their own in their own practical production work. Students will create their own magazine pages and other fun and exciting production tasks which will require them to use and apply the media theoretical framework. All media texts are studied and constructed in relation to media language, media industries, representation and audiences.

You will develop confidence in: practical production work as well as developing your analytical skills in a variety of different contexts.

You will develop confidence in:

• Practical production work as well as developing your analytical skills in a variety of different contexts
• Planning and carrying out practical work
• Analysing media and moving image texts
• Understanding the media key concepts and applying them to analytical and practical production work

Course Descriptions and Expectations

At key stage 4, students will study both audio-visual, web based, radio, film and print media. Students will develop awareness of the technical elements of construction in addition to related media concepts such as representation, audience, industries and media language. Students will also study the wider social, historical, cultural and political significance of these issues.

The current EDUQUAS GCSE Media Studies course attracts an increasingly large number of students every year because it makes learning interesting, challenging, creative and fun. It offers rigorous but accessible learning on a subject of key importance in the world today.

The specification offers:

• Extensive and meaningful coverage of media theory and practice
• Practical work which integrates theories and concepts
• A choice of assignments for production work
• The chance to study across a range of different media
• Opportunities to learn about real media products and industries

Examinations and Assessment

We follow the Eduquas Media Studies specification.
This course has two exams which are an hour and a half in length which is worth 70% of the final grade. There is also a non exam assessment which is worth 30% of the GCSE.

Component One: Exploring the Media.

What is assessed? Questions will focus on media language and representation. Written exam : 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of the GCSE

Component Two: Understanding Media Forms and Products.

What is assessed? Section A = Television. One question on either media language or representation based on an extract from one of the set television episodes. One question on media industries, audiences or contexts.
Section B =  Music. One question on either media language or representation (reference to contexts may be required). One question on media industries, audiences or media contexts. Written exam : 1 hour 30 minutes 84 marks 35% of the GCSE

Non Exam Assessment:

What is assessed? An individual media production for an intended audience in response to a set of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding o media language and representation.

30% of the GCSE - Assessed by teachers - Moderated by Eduquas. Students produce: A statement of aims as well as a media product for an intended audience which meets the requirements of a set brief.

What’s next?

Media Studies can lead to careers in the Media industry which is a rapidly expanding field. In terms of further education, GCSE Media Studies lends itself to other subjects such as English and English Literature as these are also analytical in essence. In the past, students have also combined a study of Media with performing arts, graphic design, art and other multimedia subjects.