Introduction to GCSE Media Studies at The Misbourne

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations

Why study Media Studies?

It is impossible to overemphasise the significance of the media in our lives.

Studying the media will give you the skills to analyse media texts, understand how

texts are produced, find out who owns media companies and observe how

technologies are changing the way we consume the media. You will reflect on how

the media has changed over time, and how our ideas and beliefs can be shaped by

media images and messages. Coursework will allow you to become a media

producer in your own right.

Completing a GCSE in Media Studies can lead to further study of the media, either

at AS/A Level (mostly theoretical) or VCE (mostly practical), and will equip you with

some of the skills required for a career in the media.

You will study:

* Textual Analysis Techniques (how to 'deconstruct' print/moving image texts and

their meanings);

* Cross-Media Topics (such as advertising or news);

· Media Languages, Producers and Production Techniques.

You will learn:

* How to analyse the 'language' of media texts;

* How to reflect on the cultural messages and values presented in texts;

* How to compare different texts, their institutions and their audiences;

· About production techniques, technical skills and evaluative skills.

Assessment:

There is a choice between two levels of entry for this examination: Foundation and

Higher. At Foundation level the grades available are G to C and at Higher level the

grades available are D to A*. There are three aspects to your assessment.

Coursework

You will produce a portfolio consisting of three assignments, two analytical and one

practical. You will analyse media texts to identify and understand media languages

and categories, and deconstruct media messages and values. You will produce a

media product of your own, from a choice of briefs, working either as an individual

or as part of a group.

Paper 1

Textual Analysis - print or moving image options - you will be asked to respond to

an unseen text using textual analysis techniques. For this paper you will analyse

SITUATION COMEDIES which we have studied over the two years. You will learn about these

genres in depth and then analyse an unseen example of the genre under

examination conditions.

Paper 2

Cross-Media topics - for this paper you will study ADVERTISING

- you will respond to questions about the role of the media in society and

changes in the role and presentation of the chosen media area over time. You will

consider the purpose of advertising, compare different ways in which advertisements

are constructed and presented and evaluate debates over their importance and

influence in our lives.