Media Studies

Introduction

Media Studies is an optional subject at KS4 at Abbs Cross.

Whilst Media Studies is not taught as a specialist subject at KS3, many students still have opportunities to learn about the media and create their own Media products, usually within their English classroom. The analytical and critical reading skills learnt during KS3 in subjects such as English and History are vital to become a successful GCSE Media Studies student.

In Media Studies lessons, you can expect to learn about TV, film, music videos, computer games, magazines and a range of other constantly evolving media texts. You will learn to “read” and explore these texts in the same way as you might read a text for English Literature, investigating the subtext and considering how the creators of these texts seek to share their ideas and influence their audiences.

Media Studies is a subject that firmly concentrates on students learning the key concepts behind all media. Some of these include: representation; audience; institution; genre and learning to use media language when analysing or creating media products. Media Studies is a highly theoretical subject and it helps teach students the skills to critically analyse and interpret texts. Students undertake a range of activities within the classroom, during educational visits and in creating their own media products. Students undertake this range of tasks individually and within small groups.

Our expectations:

We expect students to be ready to contribute to lessons both verbally and in written form. Students are also expected to strive for formality and accuracy in all of their written work, as we believe that this forms the best possible habits.

Homework is set on a weekly basis in Media Studies in Year 10 and Year 11, and must be completed on time and to a standard that represents students’ best possible efforts.

Students should be properly equipped for Media Studies lessons, requiring a pen, pencil, ruler and reading book as an absolute minimum.