Media Studies
By examining a wide variety of media forms, Media Studies is designed to develop students' critical and creative understanding of the ways in which the media operates and its impact upon culture, society and politics.
Offered as a GCSE option in Year 10 and 11, Media Studies focuses on three concept areas: Languages and Categories, Messages and Values, and Producers and Audiences. Throughout the course, students learn to analyse and evaluate print, film and television texts and study a range of genres within each form, including advertisements, news, documentaries and comedy sitcoms. During which, students study the different stages of media production, debate the role of the media and its influence on society, and acquire and develop practical production skills.
Three varied pieces of coursework contribute to 50% of the final grade, one project requiring students to construct an original front cover, contents page and feature articles for a magazine aimed at an audience of their choice. A textual analysis exam represents the remaining 50%.
