Media Studies
Our Vision
By studying the media, our aim is for students to be able to view, evaluate and analyse a variety of media texts, and develop practical skills spanning a range of media forms, giving them both an overall and in-depth understanding of how media represents or misrepresents the world around them.
Key Stage 4
Many students choose GCSE Media Studies for its relevance to their lives and for the opportunities it provides for exploring contemporary issues using different media in creative and practical ways.
All students study the AQA GCSE Media Studies Single Award.
The AQA GCSE Media Studies course is a combination of media theory and practice.
Subject content is divided into 4 theoretical categories:
- Media language
- Media representations
- Media industries
- Media audiences
Within our Key Stage 4 curriculum, we aim to identify portable knowledge and related vocabulary skills around these four areas of the theoretical framework which are built upon cumulatively both within and across Key Stage 4 to ensure that they are fully embedded in students’ long-term memory.
Through our sequenced spiral curriculum, we aim to build cumulatively upon the following skills:
- Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media & the contexts of media and their influences on media products and processes.
- Analysing media products using the theoretical framework of media, including in relation to their contexts; to make judgements and draw conclusions
- Creating media products for an intended audience, by applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media to communicate meaning
These key concepts are revisited each term through a different media text or platform such as magazines; advertising and marketing; newspapers; online, social and participatory media and video games; radio; music video; newspapers; online, social and participatory media and video games and film, thus developing them in greater breadth and depth. Further focus is given to each media text by looking at a particular Closed Study Product (CSP) which is provided in advance by the AQA exam board.
Assessment
Media Studies involves 1 Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) and 2 written exams.
Non-Examination Assessment (NEA): The NEA element counts for 30% of the GCSE and requires students to apply their knowledge and understanding of media language and representations to create a media product using one of the following forms:
- television
- music video
- radio
- newspapers
- magazines
- advertising/marketing
- online, social and participatory media
- video games
The media product that is devised and realised by the student must communicate meaning to a specified audience and must draw on what they know and understand about the theoretical framework of media language and representation
Regarding the two theory papers, each will count for 35% focusing on Close Study Projects which are visited during the KS4 course.