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Media Studies

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Introduction

Media studies as a subject seeks to offer young people an insight in to the process that many different marketing agencies take to affect the view we take from a media product. Through many mediums, newspaper, online, magazine, gaming, film, music and radio we are bombarded with different codes and semiotic messages that we as consumers are not aware shape our concepts of reality, society and indeed the very core values that we hold as individuals. By looking at the scope of influence that institutions have on how we receive certain messages and how it shapes the way we view and approach different worldly topics. Students will leave with an understanding of how media creates its audiences, representations, institutions and conventions in the products that it presents.

Our expectations:

The expectation for students is that they should have an interest in different multimedia products that are currently available. Many of the topics that are discussed are brought to life within the lessons with examples of current media that is available all around us. Students should have a basic understanding of

  1. Newspapers, broadsheet and tabloid
  2. Film genres
  3. Music genres
  4. Different types of game that are available on phones and consoles
  5. Radio programs and podcasts

Whilst it is not essential, most students will find the elements discussed easier in this course if they have prior experience with such products available before they enter the lesson and subject.

KS4

Course overview

The course is 30% Coursework, A product the student must make that represents a certain medium and is suited to an audience and purpose and also fits the genre chosen each year by the exam board.

There are two examinations that are both 90 minutes each that make up the other 70% of the course and the examination board used is AQA

Why you should consider this subject

This course will supply students with an interactive and engaging course that aims to broaden students’ minds. You’ll cover all aspects of media including language, representations, industries and audiences, giving students both an overall and in-depth understanding of how media represents the world.

  • Future careers
  • Media planner.
  • Multimedia specialist.
  • Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video.
  • Public relations officer.
  • Runner, broadcasting/film/video.
  • Social media manager.
  • Television/film/video producer.
  • Web content manager.

GCSE Results 2019

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 35% grades 9-4.

GCSE Results 2022

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 78.6% grade 9 to 4

Useful Links

KS4

Links to useful websites
This is the official website for the course, containing links to the course specification and different units that are available as well as different books that people can order for the subject and revision guides
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/media-studies/gcse/media-studies-8572

Revision guides

The listed book below is widely considered to be the best revision guide for the GCSE AQA media studies and includes all information and knowledge on the new course as well as different recommendations for what is needed when studying the close study products supplied by the examination board.

AQA GCSE Media Studies Revision Guide by Steff Hutchinson