Page 39 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

COURSE
MEDIA STUDIES
TITLE

Grade 5 or above in English language.

SPECIFIC ENTRY Please note: you cannot choose both A level media studies and the
REQUIREMENTS digital media vocational course due to overlapping content in one of
the core modules.

Media studies will challenge and extend your understanding of contemporary and
historical media. You will be introduced to and engage in the in-depth study of media
products in relation to the four areas of the theoretical framework:
● media language
● representation
● media industries
● media audiences.
You will analyse how meanings and representations are constructed as well as
considering how media products are influenced by social, cultural, historical and
industry (including economic and political) contexts.
A wide range of relevant theoretical approaches and theories are also studied and must
CONTENT OF be applied to your analysis of media products. These will include detailed study of
media products that are audio-visual, online and print.
COURSE You will learn and use relevant media terminology and enhance your understanding of
the ever-increasing role of the media in society, questioning and perhaps challenging
the part that it plays in our lives.
The course has, as a significant part, practical production projects involving a media
technology: this is one of the coursework elements. You will create a media product,
applying your knowledge and understanding of media language, representation,
industry and audience in response to a brief set by the exam board which will specify
the intended audience and industry context.
For this element of the course you will need to have or develop a good knowledge of
Photoshop. You will be required to research your projects independently and keep a
research log so that your teachers can see a clear link between it and the resulting
media product.
Eduqas http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/media-studies/as-a-level/
Component 1: meanings and representations in the media
EXAMINATIONS
Written examination: 2 hours, 30% of qualification
AND Component 2: media forms and products in depth
ASSESSMENTS Written examination: 3 hours, 40% of qualification
Component 3: cross-media production
Non exam assessment, 30% of qualification
Attractive features of the A level media studies course:
● it will develop your media literacy quickly
● it will involve the study of texts that are within your world and experience: the emphasis is
SKILLS, LINKS on the contemporary but making links with past media products and considering the
reasons for development
AND
● it will dovetail well into a number of other subjects: arts, design, sciences, social sciences
PROGRESSION or business based subjects
● it will bring another way of looking at the world
● it will give you an opportunity to produce your own media work and develop your media
skills
Head of English: Mrs T Messenger
CONTACT traceymessenger@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Mr J Hurrell jameshurrell@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk