Media Studies - GCSE
There is a powerful force sending its messages to virtually everyone on the planet. It is using every form of communication tool available. It is in your sitting room, your bedroom, maybe even your bathroom. It is in shops, cinemas, libraries and churches. It travels in cars, on buses, trains, planes and ships. No matter how hard you try, you cannot escape it.
The name of this force is ‘the media’ and, whether you like it or not, to a large extent it defines your life and the way you think. ‘The media’ is the name given to channels of communication a society uses to speak to itself. It includes television, cinema, video/DVD, radio, newspapers, magazines, mobile phones, advertising and computer-internet communication.
How influential is the media? Is it a good or a bad force? Does advertising dominate our lives? Do films encourage violence? How are teenagers represented in magazines? Do pop videos influence which CDs we buy? Has the internet really changed our lives?
If you are interested in these questions, or any others related to the media, then this subject might be for you.
What do we study in Media Studies and what skills will you acquire?
50% of the course is evaluated in a final examination where students are expected to critically dissect at least two different forms of media. The first section requires analysis of audio-visual media which may include watching and evaluating television advertisements, broadcast news, film trailers, music videos or as was the case in 2008, animation. The second section requires students to analyse print based media such as newspapers, magazines, film posters or storyboards. Students will acquire a range of skills to critically appraise most aspects of the media.
50% of the course demands three pieces of practical coursework. Previous GCSE students have designed and produced web pages promoting a new animated version of Harry Potter, a front cover and contents page for a new sports magazine, a short extract for a television documentary about terrorism, an advertising campaign for a new clothes item and the opening five minutes of a new radio soap opera. Your options are only limited by your creativity.
Is the course for me?
If you intend to take GCSE Media Studies you must be interested in all aspects of the media. It is not an easy course and requires hard work and commitment. You also need a good standard of written English because the examination requires timed essay writing skills and all pieces of coursework have to be accompanied by substantial written evaluations. If you are prepared to work hard and have an interest in the media, or even a future career in fields such as journalism, marketing, advertising, TV/Film broadcasting, then you will thoroughly enjoy this course.
For further Information :
Please see Dr. Rod
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