Media Studies GCSE (9-1) Eduqas

GCSE Media Studies builds upon the skills that students have developed in Key Stage 3 English lessons.

It is recognised that the mass media plays an increasingly important role in our society.  This syllabus is designed to develop a critical understanding of the role of the mass media, encouraging students to develop a broad knowledge of the industrial and commercial nature of media production.  Understanding will be closely related to the development of practical skills.  An important feature of the syllabus is the opportunity it affords students to actively investigate media processes and techniques through practical work.

Assessment:  30% Controlled Assessment – 12 weeks to complete Creating a media product An individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC (Television, Music Video, Radio, Newspaper, Magazines, or Advertising/Marketing etc.).

Examination:  70% Written paper 1 – 1½ hours – 40% One question assessing media language in relation to one set product. One two-part question assessing representation in relation to one set product and one unseen resource in the same media form. Written paper 2 – 1½ hours – 30% Based on Television and Music. One question on either media language or representation, which will be based on an extract from IT Crowd and Taylor Swift song Bad Blood or Pharrell Williams’s song Freedom.

There will also be one question on media industries, audience or media contexts on the above set products.

Entry There is one level of entry covering Levels 9-1.

Teaching Methods The course is taught in mixed ability classes.  Tasks are differentiated to suit the needs of students of all abilities and one extended piece of coursework is completed in Year 10. 

Much of the course requires students to take leadership of their own learning and complete extended projects using the media computer suite.  We have a range of equipment that is available to students for their controlled assessment; these include a green screen, GoPro cameras, an iMac, drones etc.

Media Studies is a subject that is open to all students, and it is possible to focus on individual areas of interest.  It lends itself well to those who are interested in further study or careers in Media Studies, Journalism, Photography, Graphic Design and Film Production.

A good level of literacy is required as there is a formally structured assignment to be submitted.  Students should be creative and to some extent artistic, though this does not necessarily mean that they have to be good at drawing.  Analytical and critical thinking are encouraged throughout the course, as are discussion and debate.

Some homework tasks will be set and the assessment will be completed in the classroom and at home.