What are Media Studies?
We are all aware of the mass media: television, radio, newspapers, films, music and the Internet play a part in the everyday life of most people on the planet. Studying the media helps to develop your awareness of how they work. At Medina, there are currently two groups following the subject at AS and A2 Level and three GCSE groups. Last year’s A to C pass rate at A Level was 73%. Candidates had not previously studied the subject at GCSE Level: in fact, the first entry for GCSE exams was in 2007.
Is this subject useful?
Did you notice that I asked “What are Media Studies?" Apart from the correct grammar, we emphasise that this is not just one subject: it involves art, drama, music, literature, ICT and the core subjects, including Physical Education; and Media Studies is highly compatible with almost every other subject in the curriculum. The courses will be of interest to all students, whether they are specialising in humanities or sciences, offering students a chance to look at the role of the media in their lives on a daily basis and giving a sound foundation in the main concepts and debates.
So what about jobs?
Media Studies is a stepping stone towards employment in a large number of jobs, such as communications, the press, journalism, advertising, information technology, marketing etc. Students are trained to adopt a critical and investigative approach towards the media which will be useful in later life.
Students learn how to become creative producers, using practical skills to develop media products, and are helped towards an awareness of aesthetic and moral issues. You will have opportunities to use ICT, digital video and still cameras, and audio equipment. You will be able to do work experience with media organizations.
The Advanced course gives students the opportunity to develop their interests and abilities to a level where they could pursue them in higher education, in vocational training or in employment.
Qualification Recommendations:
You do not need to have any previous experience of Media Studies, but you do need to be interested in all the media, not just television! You need to have adequate literacy and a mind that is both creative and critical. As a media student, you will need to:
• be willing to join in group work and class discussion
• study a wide range of media texts
• conduct independent research and take responsibility for your own learning
• spend your own time on practical and theoretical work.
GCSE Summary of Assessment:
There are two tiers of assessment: Foundation (G-C) and Higher (D-A).
The Coursework (Centre Assessed Component) worth 50% of the total marks,
consists of three assignments of 400- 600 words including a practical production project. There is also a final examination, externally marked.
Candidates must study at least three of the following media: television, film, radio, popular music, newspapers, magazines and comics.
GCE A Level Summary of Assessment:
This specification is divided into a total of 4 units, 2 AS units and 2 A2 units. Weightings noted below are expressed in terms of the full A level qualification (AS in brackets).
AS (2 units)
Unit 1: MS1 25 % (50%) External Assessment: 2½ hour Written Paper
Media Representations and Responses
Three compulsory questions, including one on unseen audio-visual or print-based material. (Marks: 40, 30, 30)
Paper raw mark total: 100. Paper UMS total: 100
Unit 2: MS2 25% (50%) Internal Assessment
Media Production Processes
Three components: one pre-production (20); one production which develops from the pre-production (40); and one report on the production process (40) (Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only.)
Paper raw mark total: 100. Paper UMS total: 100
A LEVEL (the above plus a further 2 units)
Unit 3: MS3 25% Internal Assessment
Media Investigation & Production
Three components: a written investigation into media text(s) based on one or more of the key media concepts – genre, narrative and/or representation (45); a media production (45); and an evaluation of how the production is informed by the investigative research (10).
(Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only.)
Paper raw mark total: 100. Paper UMS total: 100
Unit 4: MS4 25% External Assessment
Media – Text, Industry and Audience
21/2 hour written paper. Three questions, 30 marks each. Section A: one question from a choice of two. Section B: two questions from 4. Candidates must answer each question on a different media industry.
Paper raw mark total: 90. UMS total: 100.
Further information from:
Student Services, telephone 532642
or Mr N Evans.
MEDINA HIGH SCHOOL
MEDIA STUDIES
Creative Arts Faculty
