Subject Head: Emma Palmer
Contact: epalmer@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk
Please note that Media Studies is not offered at KS3
Specification: AQA GCSE Media Studies 8572
GCSE Media Studies is a contemporary and interactive subject which is both creative and analytical; an engaging course that aims to broaden minds. Students will cover all aspects of media including language, representations, industries and audiences, offering both an overall and in-depth understanding of how media represents the world. Students are taught key concepts, new terminology and theory. Although the work produced is mainly print-based, students will also need to show that they can analyse Moving Image texts such as film extracts, music videos, TV trailers, TV advertisements, using this research to influence their own ideas.
Students must have very good ICT skills, as these are important when producing the magazine work.
What should students expect to do during the course?
We expect all students to recognise and demonstrate a good understanding of the four Key Concepts:
1) Media Language: the way in which the meaning of a media text is conveyed to an audience.
2) Media representations: how different groups/people/places are portrayed.
3) Media Industries: the companies behind the media texts/products. You should gain knowledge and understanding of how the media industries’ processes of production, distribution and circulation affect media forms and platforms.
4) Media audiences: who the target audience is and how they are targeted.
Exam Paper 1 – Focus on industries, audience and representation. 35%
Exam Paper 2 – Focus on media language and contexts. 35%
Each paper is 1hour 30 mins long. Responses are a mixture of multiple choice, short answers and extended responses.
Coursework (NEA – Non-exam Assessment)
Magazine based 30%
Students could continue into A Level Media and from there could build towards careers in production, editing, marketing, journalism, to name but a few.