Wednesbury
Sixth Form > Our Pathways
Media forms are becoming ever more relevant in the ‘online’ age for every individual and every industry. This subject gives you the skills to access and understand the exciting and rapidly evolving media landscape, whilst applying ideas from great thinkers such as Marx, Gilroy and Mulvey.
Examination Board AQA
Specification Number 7572
Sixth Form > Our Pathways
Media forms are becoming ever more relevant in the ‘online’ age for every individual and every industry. This subject gives you the skills to access and understand the exciting and rapidly evolving media landscape, whilst applying ideas from great thinkers such as Marx, Gilroy and Mulvey.
Examination Board AQA
Specification Number 7572
Media forms are becoming ever more relevant in the ‘online’ age for every individual and every industry. This subject gives you the skills to access and understand the exciting and rapidly evolving media landscape, whilst applying ideas from great thinkers such as Marx, Gilroy and Mulvey. You will study a range of products from War of the Worlds (1938) to teenVogue, improving your written and spoken communication skills through your powers of analysis, discussion and debate. You will also have the opportunity to explore your practical and creative skills through media production.
Media Language – how the media through their forms, codes, conventions and techniques communicate meaning.
Media Representation – how the media portray events, issues, individuals and social groups.
Media Industries – how the media industries’ processes of ownership, production, distribution and circulation affect media forms and platforms.
Media Audiences – how media forms target, reach and address audiences, how audiences interpret and respond to them, and how members of audiences become producers themselves.
Ms Lyttle
A minimum of 5 9-5 GCSE grades, which must include a grade 5 or above in either English Language or English Literature.
Previous study of social science or a creative subject to GCSE level would be beneficial if you have not studied Media before. Previous experience of studying Media Studies is not required but would be advantageous.
Submission of a piece of work to the Head of Media Studies one week before Sixth Form Interviews is not compulsory but will provide you with an opportunity to showcase your ideas. The work should be no longer than 1000 words or 3 minutes (dependant on format) and should be an analysis and commentary on one of the following: the impact of social media; the representation of class; gender as a social construction; boxsets versus films.
| Assessment | Topic Area | Duration | Value |
| Paper 1 | Media Language and Media Representations | 2 hour written exam | 35% |
| Paper 2 | Media in Television, Magazine and Online | 2 hour written exam | 35% |
| Assessment | Coursework | Practical media product in the format of their choice from a selection of annually changing pre-set briefs. | 30% |
Media Studies is the ideal course for anyone interested in any aspect of the media. It provides a great basis for anyone aiming for a career within a wide range of industries: advertising; marketing; magazine or film production to name a few. Media Studies also allows you to further your skills in communication, analysis, ICT and working with other people.
| The Essential Introduction: Media Studies | Rayner, Wall & Kruger |
| Mythologies | Barthes |
| An Introduction: Media Studies | Dutton |
| Ways of Seeing | Berger |
| Reading Television | Fiske & Hartley |
| Understanding Television | Goodwin & Whannel |
| Manufacturing Consent | Herman & Chomsky |
| A Level Media Studies | Explore Website |
| Of Com | Explore Website |
| Screen Online | Explore Website |
