Media Studies

The mass media is one of the world-changing phenomena of the last 100 years. It is almost impossible to avoid: TV or radio in every room in the house, home computers and mobile phones connected to the Internet, magazines and newspapers on the doormat and posters on the local bus shelter advertising the latest movies at the local multiplex.

The mass media not only reflect our attitudes and values, they also help to shape them. How they do that, why they do that, and the effect that has on individuals, communities and cultures, are issues at the heart of Media Studies.

Key Stage 4

We follow the Eduquas GCSE course with assessment by 70% exam and 30% Non-Examined Assessment/ Coursework The exam will require students to study a range of set texts from advertising, news, magazines and television. It will also focus on the Media Industries of music, film, radio and gaming. We assess and analyse a range of different media products and investigate the larger businesses responsible for the media. We also learn how the media tries to manipulate its audience using particular kinds of language, and we learn to use those tools ourselves in producing our own original media products.