Media Studies
Curriculum
S.O'Brien
Subject Performance Leader
Introduction
Media studies helps students to develop skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and informed analysis. The subject aims to build students knowledge about historical context of the media and the influence it continues to have within contemporary societies, culture and politics.
Key Skills & Understanding:
Critical Thinking · Understanding Theoretical Approaches · Communication · Cultural Awareness · Resilience
let's take a look...
Component 1 – Exploring the Media (35%)
Magazines such as Vogue, Pride and GQ Newspapers such as The Sun and The Guardian
Advertising such as This Girl Can and Quality Street
Film Marketing: James Bond posters including the 1970s and modern industry standards.
Video Games: A two week introduction to how the games industry works.
Radio dramas and why radio is still important.
Set on Show My Homework
Discuss set texts with students and provide exposure to media texts such as newspapers and magazines to support a large comparison question, if possible.
Encourage to listen to radio platforms and podcasts.
This will also support research into the coursework briefs later in the course.
Component 2- Understanding Media Forms and Products (35%)
Component 2- Understanding Media Forms and Products (35%)
Set on Show My Homework
Discuss set texts with students and provide exposure to media texts based on the crime genre, if possible.
Media Studies
Y10 | Key Stage 4
10
YEAR
Theme/Unit
Class Content
Independent Study
Assisted Study
Component 2 continued
Component 2- Understanding Media Forms and Products (35%)
Set on Show My Homework
Discuss the quality of photos taken and encourage a range of 20-30 varied photographs in different positions, camera angles and facial expressions or poses.
Component 3-Creating Media Products (30%)
Students will complete Non- Examination Assessments based on a brief. This could include magazines, film or online. Students are expected to research, plan and design a media texts and create their own, using design software Photoshop and InDesign. This is completed within 12 weeks.
Students will be asked to take their own photos, using digital cameras, or a high quality mobile phone.
Additional support will be provided after school or during lunchtimes.
Discuss the quality of photos taken and encourage a range of 20-30 varied photographs in different positions, camera angles and facial expressions or poses.
11
YEAR
Media Studies
Y11 | Key Stage 4
Theme/Unit
Class Content
Independent Study
Assisted Study
Study Guides, Resources & Extra Support
*update pending*
Media Studies
A LEVEL
KS5
What is Media Studies at Key Stage 5?
Media is the study of contemporary forms such as film, television, advertising,
newspapers, magazines, pop culture etc.
Who is it for?
Media Studies is a good choice for students who are interested in analysing modern media texts and enjoy designing and being creative with their ideas.
Media Studies is important if you are considering a career in a journalism or a media industry such as film or television. But even if you are not, you will gain skills transferable to other careers
12&13
YEARS
What will i study?
The course is taught from scratch so it does not matter if you did not study Media
Studies at GCSE level. However, it does help if you can be analytical about the
media you consume and have at least a GCSE grade 5 in English
Course Content:
Unit 1: Media Products, Industries & Audiences
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Media Products, Industries and Audiences
Analysing media language and Representation in relation to two of the following media forms: advertising, marketing, music video or newspapers. -
Understanding Media Industries and Audiences
Analysing media forms and target demographics in advertising, marketing, film, newspapers, radio and video games.
Assessment: 35% of total marks
Unit 2: Media Forms & Products in Depth
-
Analysing media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts, studying a range of set products.
In particular: Television in the Global Age, Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media & Media in the Online Age
Assessment: 35% of total marks
Unit 3: Project
-
In this unit you will make a cross-media product following a brief set by the exam board (EDUQAS).
You will be asked to create two new media products. This could include the following, in any combination:
• Film marketing – print or moving image
• Magazines – print or online
• Radio – podcasts or broadcasts
• Music Video
• Websites
The software that we use to produce these include Adobe Photoshop, In Design & Premier Pro- all part of the Adobe Creative Suite. Confidence with computers and cameras would benefit you for this stage of the course.
Assessment: 30% of total marks
How will I be assessed?
The Assessment Objectives are common to AS and A Level
Unit 1: Written Exam
Media Products, Industries and Audiences - Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (exam worth 35%)
Consists of 2 sections:
-
Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation - two questions in this section, including analysis of unseen texts.
-
Section B: Understanding Media Industries and Audiences -
It includes: one stepped question on media industries & one stepped question on audiences.
Unit 2: Written Exam
Media Forms and Products in Depth - Written examination (worth 35%) Consists of 3 sections:
Section A – Television in the Global Age
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section B – Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section C – Media in the Online Age
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Unit 3: Non-examination Assessment - Project
In this unit you will make a cross-media product following a brief set by the exam board (EDUQAS) as detailed in course content.
Y12/13 Guide to Independent Learning
Media Studies at KS5
After each lesson you should:
-
Check your knowledge: look at your notes and evaluate the effectiveness of them.
Did I miss anything?
Do I need to consider alternative inferences or make further notes from discussions?
Do I need to research more into this theorist?
Do I need to rewrite my notes in a more logical manner?
Consider how you revisit your notes: these can be visual, colourful, on flashcards - consider your best way of
learning.
Each week you should:
-
Complete the ‘flexible tasks’ put on Show My Homework. They are designed to improve your background knowledge
as a Media Student. The topics set are often rich in further knowledge and complement the set texts you study across
the course of the year.
At least once per half-term you should:
-
Log on to the Media Magazine online, or use the hard copies available in the Media Studies department.
You can find further articles about theorists or texts of interest which can heighten and develop your knowledge
beyond the classroom. Print, highlight and annotate them, and add them into your folder to support your set text
study.
Throughout the year you should:
-
Use the following resources to complement and embed your knowledge in depth:
• Use Mrs Fisher and The Media Insider on YouTube
• Buy Mark Dixon: Media Theory for A Level (here)
• Work on Essential Media Theory for A Level
• Use the Sixth Form OneDrive resources when you aren’t sure of something we’ve covered, or to help you find
revision resources
• Follow Tomorrow’s Papers Today, or Sky News to look at recent news reports and front covers
• Listen to podcasts relevant to Media Studies: look at the Guardian, or Archetypes with Meghan Markle –
great for typecasting and issue based discussion.
• Work on creating a film poster, magazine cover, music video or podcast in preparation for NEA: it is also
worth researching the software we use, such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Premier Pro.
Where can this course take me?
Students of Media may wish to progress to a number of related post-16 courses that offer such specializations as:
Journalism
Broadcasting
Graphic Communication
Digital Media
Photography
Further Education or vocation based training would significantly help towards freelance practices or careers in:
Journalism
Film & Broadcasting
Online Content Creator
Graphic Design
Blogging/Vlogging
Marketing
Live Sound/Video Engineer
Photography and many more!
For more information of post-school progression please check out our dedicated Careers Page for related links and guidance.
For more information on this course throughout all key stages please contact S. O'Brien
s.obrien@kimberleyschool.co.uk
