Media
Media Studies aims to develop the following skills which are directly transferable to other subject areas.
Communication – through group work, presentations, pitching their ideas and class discussions students develop their social and collaborative skills.
Research – through online and printed resources, students broaden their independent learning skills.
Analytical – by studying current media texts and evaluating their own work, students develop their diagnostic skills.
Practical – using a variety of technology, all students demonstrate their knowledge of media theories through the production of media texts.
KEY STAGE 4
GCSE Media Studies
Examination Board: AQA
Course Outline/ Topics
GCSE Media Studies engages students in the in depth study of media products in relation to the four areas of the
Theoretical framework:
- Media language
- Media representation
- Media industries
- Media audiences.
Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:
- Television
- Film
- Radio
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Advertising and marketing
- Online, social and participatory media
- Video games
- Music video
Media One
What’s assessed?
Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- Magazines
- Advertising
- Newspapers
- Online, social and participatory media and video games
- Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- Radio
- Music Video
- Newspapers
- Online, social and participatory media and video games
- Film (industries only)
How it’s assessed?
- Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 84 marks
- 35% of GCSE
Questions
- A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products
- An extended response question (20 marks)
Media Two
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
PLUS
Non-Exam assessment creating a media project
What’s assessed?
- Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework
- Ability to create media products
How it’s assessed
A choice of one of five annually changing briefs set by AQA
- 60 marks
- 30% of GCSE
- Assessed by teachers
- Moderated by AQA
- Tasks
Students produce:
- A statement of intent
- A Media product for an intended audience
KS4 Reading List
- Media Magazine – we have subscription for students.
- Music Video and the Politics of Representation (Music and the Moving Image)
- By Diane Railton
- Coming Attractions: Reading American Movie Trailers (Texas Film & Media
- Studies Series) By Lisa Kernan
- Image and Representation: Key Concepts in Media Studies By Nick Lacey
- Zoella By Zoe Sugg
- AQA GCSE Media Studies: Student's Book ISBN-13: 978-1408504116
- Everyday Sexism By Laura Bates
- Making Media Studies David Gauntlett
- Making is Connecting By David Gauntlett
- Media Studies 2.0 By David Gauntlett
- Lara Croft: Cyber Heroine By Astrid Deuber
KEY STAGE 5
A Level Media Studies
Examination Board: AQA
Course Outline/ Topics
A-level Media Studies engages students in the in depth study of media products in relation to the four areas of the theoretical framework:
- Media language
- Media representation
- Media industries
- Media audiences.
Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:
- Television
- Film
- Radio
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Advertising and marketing
- Online, social and participatory media
- Video games
- Music video
ASSESSMENTS
Media One
What’s assessed?
Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations.
Questions in this section will test the following forms:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Music Video
- Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test two of the following forms:
- Radio
- Newspapers
- Film (industries only)
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 84 marks
- 35% of A-Level
Questions
- A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
- Two essay questions (20 marks), one of which is an extended response question.
Media Two
What’s assessed?
- Questions will focus on the in-depth media forms of television, magazines and online, social and participatory media/video games.
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 84 marks
- 35% of A-Level
Questions
- One medium length unseen analysis question
- Three essay questions (25 marks), one of which is an extended response question and one of which is a synoptic question
Non-exam assessment: Creating a cross-media production
What’s assessed?
- Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework
- Ability to create media products
How it’s assessed
A choice of one of six annually changing briefs. Set by AQA
- 60 marks
- 30% of A-level
- Assessed by teachers
- Moderated by AQA
Tasks
Students produce:
- A statement of intent
- A cross-media production made for an intended audience.
