Although Media Studies is often seen as a new and risky subject, it has been part of the GCSE and A Level Curriculum here at Ellen Wilkinson for over 20 years - so no need to be nervous!

What do we study?

In Media Studies lessons we learn about the main forms of the mass media. These include:

• Print (Newspapers and Magazines)
• TV
• Film
• Radio
• e-media

We also study cross-media subjects  such as:

• Advertising
• Popular Music
• News

 How do we study the media?

We analyse the media using Key Concepts:

• Language (how media work, visually as well as verbally)
• Institutions (who creates the media and why)
• Audience ( who watches, listens to or reads media products and why)
• Representations (how groups such as women, teenagers and ethnicities are categorised by the media and why)

We then use what we have learned to create the media products.  At both GCSE and A Level, students will be expected to produce media texts as well as write about them.  Here are some examples:

Example One

Example Two

 

Why do we study the media?

• The media are very powerful.  We need to empower ourselves by becoming media literate.
• Media Studies develops teamwork and leadership skills.
• Media Studies is creative and fun.
• Designing, constructing and editing media products are relevant, modern and practical skills which will help students become employable.
• Because the media study us!