Introduction to Advanced Media Studies
Welcome to Media Studies
You have chosen to study a subject that is increasingly popular and successful in this school besides making significant growth at university level.
Media Studies is a subject that is accessible in that it focuses on many of the things you already know of and enjoy such as films, TV programmes, music and advertisements. What we will teach you is how to consider such products critically, thinking analytically about how they are created and consumed. Above all you should become more conscious of your media consumption habits and more inclined to question what you are consuming.
Further down this page we address our expectations of you in specific detail and what you can expect in return of us, your teachers. It is hoped that you have a wide and detailed knowledge of media products, the raw primary material put out on CD, through film, DVD, video, television and in newspaper and magazine format, that the course seeks to analyse and creatively emulate. Some of you may have studied media at GCSE but, although that gives you some prior knowledge, that will not give you an edge unless you are driven by clear engagement with the subject and commitment to hard work.
Media Studies develops a range of knowledge and skills that strongly prepare you for self-supported achievement, whether you choose further study or work after AS and A2 courses. It significantly alters your perception and enjoyment of the Mass Media. You may well find that we stimulate a blurring of some of your academic and leisure pursuits.
- Mr Ward (Head of Media Studies)
- Ms Kirk
- Miss Nicholson
- Ms Hunter
- Mr Luhrs
Overview
The AS course begins with a full study of media theory which then forms the basis for all your Year 12 and Year 13 work. This will include learning about key terms and concepts in order to establish a firm critical vocabulary and analytical frameworks through which you can properly organise your thinking about the mass media and its output.
Once this is accomplished, your AS modular studies will begin.
There is a lot of scope for personal research indeed it is essential for gaining higher grades. It is assumed that you are keen to learn about new ideas and new ways of thinking. Also that you will not baulk from fulfilling staff expectations as regards tasks set. You should strive to achieve the best possible standard of literacy as there is a considerable amount of writing to be done and also because you are expected to read articles drawn from broadsheets and magazines that assume a 16+ reading age. The study practices you develop and maintain at AS Level will carry you to success at A2 and beyond.
Expectations
We take for granted your compliance with general Sixth Form rules, particularly arriving for lessons on time, fully-prepared with paper, folder, pen, pencil etc, a model to lower school of a serious academic student, someone who puts successful study before all else. We also have a few additional expectations:
- after an absence, on your return you explain the reason for absence to your teacher. This is common courtesy. Your teachers are keeping records of attendance, participation and attitude. If your attendance falls below 90% without acceptable reasons you will be liable for the cost of examination entry.
- after an absence, you must catch up with notes and find out about and complete any tasks set.
- we expect deadlines, whether negotiated or not, to be adhered to. Late work may well not be accepted for marking. Missing work and deadlines will go against you on rapid assessment checks, reports and references, besides incurring referrals to Head of House/Head of Sixth Form.
- that you share the department’s strong belief that learning is the key to success. Your teachers facilitate this learning through teaching, discussion, directing your own research and monitoring your progress.
- similarly that you share our belief in self-evaluation, whereby you closely diagnose your strengths and weaknesses.
Recommendations
- That you undertake regular research. Your teachers will always be able to recommend reading or viewing, as will this site.
- That you look out for relevant media TV programmes to watch and record, newspaper articles to cut out and keep. There are also media specific programmes on BBC Radio. You will need to develop a bank of primary and secondary material to refer to in your writing and other work.
- That you form support groups. These share research tasks, take or photocopy notes for absent friends. These groups have natural discussion potential outside lessons.
- That you open up a personal dialogue with your teachers about your studies and your particular interests in the subject. We run through teamwork. In order to support your learning and produce the best individual coursework and analytical writing of which you are capable, we need to be able fully to supervise you personally.
Research skills
Both the AS and A2 courses place a heavy emphasis on research. There are two types of material with which you must thoroughly acquaint yourself.
- Primary material - This is the raw media product: films, magazines, TV programmes, recorded music, websites. In discussing the media you must be able to refer on detail to primary texts as evidence for your ideas.
- Secondary material - This is the critical resources: academic texts, film reviews, TV programmes about the media. You should be familiar with what leading critics have to say about their area of the media, again to add weight to your own ideas.
You will be directed as to what to read and watch but of course relevant material is proliferating even as you read this. A substantial part of your final grade depends upon your capacity for individual research; we expect you to take responsibility for your own research. You will need to go in search of relevant information by looking in appropriate newspapers and magazines, scrutinising TV listings, accessing the Internet and possibly visiting academic libraries in Leicester or London.
This is not a ‘now hear this’, teacher-led course. We point in the right direction, advise, recommend and supervise, facilitating your own learning. Ideally we want you to develop your personal interests and strengths in Media Studies.
Essay writing
In common with many advanced level courses, Media Studies requires you to write essays. Here is some advice on good practice.
- Always plan your answers to ensure you keep firmly to the question throughout in a structured way.
- The opening paragraph should show that you understand the meaning of key words and phrases in the title. Here you should indicate the nature and direction of your argument.
- You should make reference to both primary and secondary material, in detail when necessary. Use critics’ names.
- You should use a full range of media jargon.
- You should have a concluding paragraph that pulls together/summarises your argument.
- Suggestions for improvement on marked work are there to be acted upon. Target one or two specific areas referred to and improve them in the next piece of work.
- All essays should have a full bibliography. Footnotes are also good academic practice.
Skills
Here are the skills that you will need to develop in order to be a successful student:
- Analytical - A capacity for critical thought. Analytical expression is clearly stated and backed up with textual and/or theoretical evidence rather than merely asserted. You should be able to deal with both primary and secondary material analytically.
- Creative - The ability to devise your own practical work with imagination and originality but within the constraints of convention where they exist. Careful presentation is essential.
- Expressive - The ability to communicate clearly through good English. The ability to write following academic conventions. This also includes the ability to use media jargon appropriately.
- IT skills - The ability to make the fullest use of IT facilities both inside and outside school.
- Production - The ability to utilise technology of all levels of sophistication to achieve a desired outcome.
- Research - Students research both primary and secondary material inside and outside school. Besides school facilities they might visit public and academic libraries, send off for information to media institutions, go on the Internet, join and use the BFI resources in London.
- Group work - Students often have to undertake group production coursework. The dynamics of working within a group will be discussed further: suffice it to say for now that no one should aim to dominate a group and no one should be non-contributive, have regular absence during group work and fail to support others.
- Evaluative - Students are encouraged to develop a capacity to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses. Where needed, strategies are devised in order to remedy weakness but highlighting strengths is also a prime objective.
- Oral - Verbal communication is vital in group work and class discussion. Never be afraid to ask a question. As early as possible a dialogue between your teachers should be established. Your work and your progress are individual to you: this dialogue is a crucial means of enhancing that.
- Presentational - You may well be asked on more than one occasion to present something to the class. You may be part of a pair, a group or on your own. The ability to appear confident, in command of a subject and to communicate information to others is a valuable and prized skill.
