ACADEMY INFORMATION
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ARCHBISHOP ILSLEY
CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Justus et Tenax Propositi - Just and Firm of Purpose
MEDIA STUDIES
Media Studies is the study of the mass media/ popular culture to include magazines,television, film, radio, comics, popular music, websites and computer games. Thus, the media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. The media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society.
The economic importance of the media is also unquestionable. The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase.
Through studying Media Studies, students have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of these key issues and the ability to debate important questions about the media. It introduces them to a theoretical framework for analysing the media, which also underpins study of the media at A level and beyond.
Students focus predominantly on contemporary media, which is contextualised and enhanced through the exploration of significant products from different historical periods. Through studying both established and evolving media forms, students will gain a real awareness of the role of the media in society and culture. The study of a range of rich and stimulating media products is central to our aims allowing students to develop appreciation and understanding of the media. Learning opportunities enable students to draw on their existing experience of the media, but also extend their appreciation and critical understanding through the study of products with which they may be less familiar, including products for different audiences.
KEY STAGE 4
This contemporary subject is both practical and theoretical; it seeks to develop enquiry, critical thinking and decision making skills through consideration of issues that are important, real and relevant to students and the world in which they live. It seeks to develop an appreciation and critical understanding of the media and its role in students’ daily lives whilst enhancing practical skills through opportunities for personal engagement and creativity. Students are encouraged to understand how to use the key media concepts to analyse media products and their various contexts and produce realistic media products.
Students will be taught to be able to demonstrate competence in a range of media skills. To include:
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Pre-production/planning skills; storyboarding, poster design, print advertising design, sketching etc
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Production Skills: photography to create still image work, video/digital cameras to create moving image work, use of desk-top publishing and image manipulation programmes to create finished products, magazine front covers or advertising examples
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Evaluation: students will be furnished with the skills to be able to effectively evaluate their production work in light of media practices and a theoretical framework.
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Extended Writing: students will be expected to be able write extended answers fluently, using media language in order to analyse media products, industries.
Click here to download Media KS4 Overview
KEY STAGE 5
This contemporary, accessible and creative course has been designed to allow students to study the media in an academic context and apply the knowledge and understanding gained to the process of creating their own media productions. The course in Media Studies is designed to widen the intellectual horizons of students through the analysis of both global and historical media. Units will foster the
development of critical and reflective thinking to encourage engagement in the critical debates surrounding contemporary media; the course offers both a theoretical and practical approach to media studies and new media. Students explore textual analysis, media industries, evaluation of production work and critical perspectives.
This course will offer you study and career opportunities in various areas of the media with particular focus on journalism. However, the combination of theoretical and practical skills developed on this course, alongside the focus on independent study makes Media Studies a solid A level option whichever careers path or University course you choose.