Media Studies

Curriculum Intent

Blenheim’s Media Studies Department provides a curriculum that enables students to approach the study of various Media Texts through the lenses of Media Representation, Audiences, Industries & Language, encouraging the independent and collaborative study of a range of global texts produced throughout the 20^thand 21^st centuries.

This unifying approach facilitates the inclusion of a range of wider reading and viewing, thus enabling students to immerse themselves in the vast Media landscape throughout their time in the Sixth Form.

Students engage creatively and independently with a variety of Media in a wide range of forms including Film, Television, Advertising, Radio, Music Videos, Social Media & Video Games. The chosen texts within these various forms have been curated and selected by the department to allow students to critique the role of the Media and the influence it has had in different eras, societies, and cultures in the last few decades.

Offering clear progression from GCSE subjects including English Literature, English Language, Business Studies, History, Sociology and Drama, this course enables students to relate their study of the Media landscape to a broad range of subjects that spans across the KS4 curriculum and beyond.

The variety of assessment styles used, such as unseen material, single text questions and multiple-text questions allows students to develop a wide range of skills, such as the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research which are invaluable for both further study and future employment.

Teachers of Media Studies at Blenheim believe that the study of Media is vital for communicating with others both within school and in the wider world, as well as equipping students effectively in a time of questionable Media practices. This growing need for critical thinking and analysis of Media consumption makes the study of Media particularly pertinent for students in the modern age.

In studying Media, teachers promote the development of skills in speaking; listening, reading and writing that students will need to participate and succeed in wider society and employment. Throughout their study, students learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively whilst developing skills that enable them to communicate with others whilst maintaining a thoughtful and academic register.

The department also encourages students to learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of the Media and to question the role that the Media plays in representing, distorting and manipulating the behaviours of the public in their perceived ‘passive’ role as consumers, and how this has developed since the birth of the subject in an academic capacity in the 20^th century.

Aims of the Department

The Media Department aims to deliver an enriching and invigorating curriculum that enlightens, informs and inspires students through the teaching of the Eduqas Media Studies A Level.

A level Media Studies

Course Details

Do you think Social Media distorts our impression of reality? Are footballers such as Raheem Sterling demonised by the Media because of their race? Does film and television reduce female characters to sexualised objects? If students have ever considered any of these questions, or have a gut feeling about their response to them, then Media Studies could be the perfect course.

This newly-refined course covers a wealth of different forms of Media including Television, Film, Music Videos, Print Media, Social Media and Video Games and seeks to analyse the influence of these various forms upon the world that we live in.

The nature of this ever-changing Media landscape makes the course feel current and students will use their analytical skills to evaluate the role the Media plays in representing different social and ethnic groups, how and why Media is targeted at different audiences, how Media language shapes meaning and how these Media industries operate in an increasingly globalised world.

Study of this course includes some Close-study products (CSPs) where we analyse examples of Media texts in detail, including various video games, Modern Television Dramas, music videos, radio shows, online media and a variety of mainstream and indie print media, relating them to the historical and social contexts in which they exist.

Later on in the course students also have the opportunity to produce their own Media product for the Non-exam assessment (NEA) which makes up 30% of the final A Level grade. This might be a film trailer, music video, newspaper issue or an advertising campaign. In order to achieve this, students will spend a considerable amount of time using various computer and editing software to produce the final Media product in accordance with the chosen brief. No previous editing experience is required, and students will have exclusive access to the equipment within the well-resourced department during lesson time and beyond.

Link to Specification

Assessment

Exam board - Eduqas

Exam (2.25 hrs)

Media Products, Industries and Audiences

35% of the

qualification

Exam (2.5 hrs)

Media Forms and Products in Depth

35% of the

qualification

Non-exam assessment

Cross-Media Production

30% of the

qualification

Enrichment Opportunities

Throughout the study of this course students will have the opportunity to attend film and television screenings as a class to enhance their close analysis of these mediums, as well as trips into the community to evaluate the impact of various forms of Media upon different demographics.

Progression

Media Studies is a popular and increasingly prominent course at University level, there are countless undergraduate and postgraduate courses relating to Media Studies in differing levels of focus both nationally and globally. Due to the wide variety of organisational, creative, and technical skills associated with Media Studies, this qualification enables students to pursue various careers including the following: Copywriter, Computer Games Tester, Advertising Media Buyer, Copywriter, Cinematographer, Photographer, Television Presenter, Teacher, Public Relations Officer, Social Media Manager, Theatrical Producer, Film/TV Operator, Film/TV Producer, Video Editor, Web Content Manager, Community Worker and many more.