Media Studies

GCSE Media Studies

GCSE Media Studies is not always to be found in textbooks. You need to take the principles that you learn in class and apply them to the media that you find around you. Most students have in-depth knowledge of particular forms of media (your favourite genre of music, or movies, or video games) and you should apply what you have learned in school to the media in your life.

GCSE Media Studies allows students to study the following areas:

* organised in terms of three study areas – media texts, their audiences and the organisations which produce and distribute them. This means that all topics studied are approached in the same way and students develop their knowledge and understanding as the course progresses,

* allows for students to develop research, planning and production skills through creative work at all stages in the course. This means that their learning is reinforced through exploring texts (textual analysis), research and planning work (preproduction) and production work (all internally assessed),

* Flexibililty in regards to the creative tasks and the project work which can be completed.

Overview of Specification - Specification at a glance

External Assessment: Written Examinations: 40%

Unit 1 Thinking about the Media: Investigating and Planning 2 hrs 15 mins

Section A: Thinking about the media - Investigating

Four questions: candidates respond to stimulus material chosen from a topic set by WJEC.

This unit section will also assess the way the contemporary media is convergent.

Section B: Thinking about the media - Planning

A series of tasks: candidates demonstrate planning and creative skills through a series of creative tasks which demonstrates knowledge of the convergent nature of the contemporary media.

Controlled Assessment: 60%

Unit 2 Creating for the media: Investigating and Producing

Three pieces of work from at least two different media:

two textual investigations on two different media areas [one must be print-based] (20%)

and

one media production consisting of research, planning, the production itself and an evaluation of the production (40%).

Note: A minimum of three topics must be studied.

One textual investigation may be based on the topic specified for Unit 1.

The second textual investigation must be based on a different media topic.

The production must not be based on the topic specified for Unit 1.

These topics must involve study of a minimum of three different media, including at least one print – and one audiovisual-based form.

GCE AS Media Studies

Course description: A range of media forms are explored, which will include advertising, newspapers, magazines, radio, film and television, & the ways in which audiences use such texts for information, entertainment & pleasure are investigated.  Candidates also undertake Pre-Production & Production tasks, supported by a report/evaluation.

Entry requirements: The minimum entry requirements for studying an AS subject are 5 GCSE's at grade C & above.  In addition, to study Media Studies AS, a grade B in either GCSE Media Studies or in English Language is required.

What will I learn?:  How media institutions are developed and what their practices & output are.  The ways in which different media represent the world, & how media texts have been produced, circulated, consumed & interpreted by audiences.  The effects of stereotypes & ideology & how media identities are constructed.  The different theories about media effects & audience reception.  In addition, how to read, analyse & evaluate a range of media texts. Also, how to undertake Pre-Production planning, research & reporting, produce a media text, & evaluate it.

Course assessment: This is divided into assessment units; MS1 (EXTERNAL), MS2 (INTERNAL).

 MS1 is an examined unit & has 3 compulsory questions, including one question on unseen audio-visual or print-based material. 

MS2 is an internally assessed unit of three components: one Pre-Production; one Production and one evaluative report on the production processes.  Additionally, throughout the year, there will be several internal assessments based on different aspects of the course.

Study commitment outside taught time (hours per week): Approximately 4 hours written homework &  2 to 4 hours reading around the subject from a range of core texts & general sources.

GCE A2 Media Studies

Course description: MS3: Media Investigation & Production which is the coursework element.   MS4: The course explores three media industries in depth; e.g. Radio, Television & Advertising.   Both MS3 & 4 build upon the knowledge, understanding & skills gained studying AS Media Studies. 

What will I learn? What appropriate methodologies are needed to research media texts & the way they interact with audiences.  How media industries are organised with particular reference to regulation & legislation, national & global development issues and the impact of new technologies. The techniques of media analysis and their relationship to audience debates and technological advancements. Also, how to plan, produce and analyse media texts and assess their historical and institutional determinants.

Course assessment: This is divided into 2 assessment units; MS3 and MS4.  MS3: Media Investigation & Production is a coursework unit consisting of a Pre-production, Production and written evaluative report.  

MS4: Media – Text, Industry and Audience is an examined unit (2hr 30 mins) with two sections. Section A requires one question to be answered from a choice of two.  Section B requires two questions to be answered from a choice of four.

Future opportunities (e.g. what careers it could lead to) Media Studies is an invaluable grounding for future careers in a range of industries, such as Advertising (agencies), Newspapers & Magazines (publishing & journalism), Radio & Television & Film (presentation & production).  It also helps develop an understanding of product placement, promotion/marketing & sales.   

Post option: Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree & Honours Degree at university.