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Stewards Academy

Stewards Academy

Science Specialist

Media Studies

Subject Intent

Media Studies is a popular subject at Stewards Academy and provides a good foundation for further study of this subject at AS or A level. It is a great choice for pupils considering a future career in the media, advertising or marketing industries.

The Media Studies course is both contemporary and interactive and encourages pupils to develop their creative, analytical, research and communication skills through exploring a range of media forms and perspectives.

The course involves an in- depth study of media products in relation to four key assessment areas:

  • media language
  • media representation
  • media industries
  • media audiences

Pupils are expected to study examples of both historical and modern media and will explore a series of 18 close study products during the course. Media texts are chosen from a range of platforms including:

  • TV
  • Radio
  • Film
  • Advertising
  • Magazine
  • Newspaper
  • Online Social and Participatory Media
  • Video Games
  • Music Video

Aims

In the Media Studies GCSE course…

Students will:-

  • analyse how the ongoing digital revolution is transforming the relationship between the media and us.
  • learn about what gets included in media products and how these are used to represent products in the market.
  • look at how audiences are categorised and targeted differently.
  • learn about the industries who produce media products and how these will impact the products themselves and influence consumers.
  • analyse a wide range of media products such as moving images, print and advertisements.
  • gain an extensive knowledge of media terminology and theory.
  • use media software to create a realistic product of their own.

Key Stage 4

Students follow the AQA GCSE Media Studies specification (8572)

The qualification is linear which means that knowledge is built over the course.

Two examinations (70%) and a Non- Exam Assessment (30%) are completed in Year 11.

Unit 1    

What is assessed?

Section A - Media Language and Media Representations

Questions in this section can test student knowledge on any two of the following:

  • magazines
  • advertising and marketing
  • newspapers
  • online, social and participatory media and video games.

Section B - Media Industries and Media Audiences

Questions in this section can  test student knowledge on any two of the following:

  • radio
  • music video
  • newspapers
  • film

How will it be assessed?:

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes (Paper 1)
  • 84 marks
  • 35% of GCSE

Questions

Short, medium and extended response questions assessing depth of knowledge and understanding of the course.

 

Unit 2   

What's assessed?

Section A will be based on a screening from an extract of one of the television Close Study Products and can test any area of the theoretical framework.

Section B will be based on either newspapers or online, social and participatory media and video games and can test any area of the framework.

How it's assessed?

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 84 marks
  • 35% of GCSE

Questions

Short, medium and extended response questions assessing depth of knowledge and understanding of the course.

 

Unit 3 

The Non-Exam Assessment (NEA)

What's assessed?

  • Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
  • Ability to create media products.

Tasks

A choice of one of five annually changing briefs, set by AQA.

Students produce:  

  • a statement of intent
  • a media product for an intended audience

How it's assessed?

  • 60 marks
  • 30% of GCSE
  • Assessed by teachers
  • Moderated by AQA.

 

Please provide a brief description of the departments homework policy for pupils at KS4

Homework is set on a weekly basis.

Homework tasks will include:

  • Revision of key terminology, theory and knowledge
  • Practise of examination questions