Media Studies A Level

MEDIA STUDIES A LEVEL
Media Studies involves the study of media artefacts - mainly TV, film and print media - media audiences and practices within the media industry. It does not attempt to cover the entire sweep of the media but by selection of products and topics enables students to understand key concepts about the media through analysis and through practical work. Students concern themselves with how media artefacts 'make meanings' for audiences, how they are composed and made, and how they are marketed.

Media Studies has its own body of knowledge and concepts, some of which come from Sociology, others from the visual arts and psychology. These may be unfamiliar at first. The department is resourced with technology for filming and editing, as well as with computers for desk-top-publishing. Teaching is supported by videos as well as by up to date articles from the media itself.

What and how will I be studying?
Media studies makes a close study of different media 'platforms' - broadcasting, print and e media. For this reason it is very up to date and closely linked to the real world of media practice and media consumption. You study how media products are constructed to target particular audiences. You consider how media products reflect and indeed have an impact on society as well. You will develop your technical expertise through working with print, web page and moving image software. Media Studies is a useful subject to study alongside Art; Drama; Computing and ICT; English; Psychology and Business. The media Department is well resourced with computers, and there is a planned new editing suite for 2008/9. There is a dedicated Media technician.

How is the Course assessed? AS - Year 1
MEDIA AQA: 50% exam: 50% coursework

UNIT ONE: is an examination which is partly answering questions on an unseen media text such as a web page, or a clip from a situation comedy. It could be anything - including a radio clip. This is followed by an essay which is based on a cross-media study. You are likely to have studied cross media promotion of film for example.

UNIT TWO: is a production of two linked media artefacts. Because you will have studied cross promotion of film in UNIT ONE you will probably choose to produce a film poster and a website. You could make a magazine cover/double page spread and a short trailer instead.You will also complete a production log to explain and track your ideas and development and a long essay evaluating the project.

A2 - Year 2
MEDIA AQA : 50% coursework 50% exam

The second year of Media Studies begins in the summer term of the AS year with the launch of MEST 4 UNIT 4 the Critical research project and linked production. You will choose an aspect of media on which to focus. You will research theories and concepts attached to that topic and specific texts which illustrate the issues. You will plan a linked production. One example of this might be:

How important are sports personalities to large media Institutions focusing on Footballers. The linked production might be a website devoted to a sports personality; or an advertising campaign featuring the sports personality endorsing a product.

Also in the Autumn term you will start MEST 3 UNIT 3 known as Critical Perspectives. In this with the teacher you will study a wide range of media texts exploring issues about media including celebrity, reality and the media, new technology. You will develop a particular case study yourself and write about this in the exam. You will also answer questions on an unseen text.

What skills will I need and be developing during the course?
Written and spoken skills of a high order are needed in order to do well. You will develop written skills - skills of argument, analysis and summary - through writing the documentation to accompany practical work, and essays as part of assessment. Creative writing may be developed through script writing, the writing of articles and advertising copy for example - all of which may be done at any time in the course. Creative and design skills will be learnt through the study of 'real' artefacts, and applied to students' own work. It is not necessary to be able to draw! Images are obtained via the camera or from the Internet, and text and graphics are included in computer software. Students therefore learn a high degree of expertise on a range of technology which will make them attractive employees and students of the future. Students learn a lot of personal skills: how to work independently for example; how to work with others on mini-projects. Within the security of small groups students learn how to express ideas and arguments, to listen and be involved in all sorts of decision- making.

What career opportunities are there?
There are many Media Studies courses in Higher Education. The skills learned in media will enhance any area of study, which you might wish to pursue. A student of media can expect to be particularly suited to:

• Marketing and Publicity
  
• Administration of all types
  
• Communications
  
• Events Management
  
• IT, Computing and Entertainment industries.
  

...and what else?
We include visits whenever possible. We also invite speakers from HE and from local Media Industries to talk to students.