Media Studies

The Basics

Develop skills in enquiry, critical thinking, decision making and analysis
Critical analysis of historic and contemporary media and its role in society, culture, politics and the economy
Use theory to engage with critical debates surrounding historic and contemporary media issues
Study both UK and global media, as well as media outside of the commercial mainstream
Hands-on practical elements

Is this the course for me?

If you want to explore the way in which the media has represented, influenced and impacted societies in the past, present, and future, combined with in-depth analysis of the media via the application of critical theories and elements of hands-on practical work, then this is the course for you.

What will I learn?

You will critically analyse and discuss all areas of the media from theoretical and practical points of view and explore historical and contemporary perspectives. This will be structured around in-depth study of a range of historical and contemporary media products across print and TV advertising, newspapers, magazines, music video, online media, video games, radio, TV drama and film marketing.

You will learn how to explore and apply concepts from across the theoretical framework of media: media language, representation, industries, audiences and theories. Critical theories that will be studied include Barthes (semiotics), Todorov (narrative), Baudrillard (postmodernism), Hall (representation), van Zoonen (Feminism), Hesmondhalgh (cultural industries) and Gerbner (cultivation theory)

You will also demonstrate understanding of the theoretical framework of media by applying your learning to the creation of practical production work.

Anything else?

Assessment is 70% exam (two exam papers at the end of Year 13) and 30% practical coursework. You will need to be confident writing extended essay responses.