Media Studies

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Media Studies - A Level Art,Head Craft of Department: and Design James Fraser-Murison - A Level HeadEmail: of Department: [email protected] James Fraser-Murison Email: [email protected] Fact File Fact• File The course provides an excellent introduction to the field of Media Studies. •• For students Entry requirements: planning a career six or in more Art and grade Design, 5’s at theGCSE, A Level including course a gradewill have 5 or the above necessary in breadth English of work Language. for entry A GCSEonto ain Degree Media Studiesor Foundation is not required degree in to Art take and the Design. course at A Level. •• Some Many students of our study students a one continueyear full-time their Artstudy and of Design the media Foundation at degree course level. before A high number progressing also develop to degree careers level. in Aa fewrange students of media-related go directly roles, into work including: related film areas. and Typicaltelevision career production, options include journalism fine art, and illustration, marketing textile / public design, relations. interiors, fashion design, fashion • promotion Media and Studies three-dimensional compliments the design, study including of a number jewellery, of other costume subjects, and including: theatre. Art & • Combines Design, well Business with many Studies, other English subjects Literature, at A level Media including Studies, other Politics Art, Design and Sociology. or Media • A levels. Students may have the opportunity to attend a range of trips, including those to the British Film Institute in London, Warner Bros Studio in London, and Los Angeles. Course Summary Art,Course Craft Summary & Design is a multi-disciplinary course which involves working with a wide variety of techniquesWe live in a and world processes. of competing In the messages, first year, withthe course many ofexpands these circulating and develops via thestudents’ practicalinterconnected skills, knowledge industries andthat understandingwe commonly callof materials. ‘the media’. Students Making will sense learn of athese wide messages, variety of drawing,and the ideologies printmaking, contained craft and therein, textile istechniques vital if we wishand will to fully create understand exciting contemporary the world in which artworkwe live and in two possess and three the ability dimensions. to make This sensible is deal and if you informed want to decisions. explore processes and techniques from across the department. Media Studies is an academic discipline that helps people to navigate today’s media saturated Duringlandscape the bysecond exploring year the coursecontent, seeks history to buildand cultural on the knowledgeimpact of various gained media during forms. the first As a yearstudent, and youdevelop will do the this ability by examining to work independently the relationship through between sustained text, audience investigations, and industry developmentand exploring of many ideas of and the in debates depth analysis.surrounding Students the nature will work of that on arelationship. variety of briefs but they will be more personally directed and in depth. The conclusion of the 2 year A level course will beSpecific for students entry requirementsto present two components of work in the form of a portfolio with an externallyEnglish Language set assignment. at grade 5 or above at GCSE. A GCSE in Media Studies is NOT required to take the course at A Level. Specific entry requirements ItProgression is recommended skills thatand youopportunities have a grade 5 or above in an Art or relevant Technology subject. If• this is One not week applicable, work placement you should built bring in a towards small portfolio the end of of work the first to your year enrolment interview. • Los Angeles trip that includes 3 studio tours Being• open British to Film experimentation Institute trip and to trying new things, as well as having a creative outlook and• a willingness Visiting professionals to work hard, offering is highly unit valued. specific workshops

In addition to gaining a detailed knowledge of the various media sectors, students are expected to leave the course with enhanced skills in a range of key areas, including: creative thinking, problem-solving, eﬀective communication and self-management.

While the course is largely theoretical, and not designed as a gateway into the industry, many of our ex-students are now working in a range of media-related roles, including: ﬁlm and television production, journalism and marketing/public relations. Many of our ex-students have continued their study of the media at university, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Universities attended by our ex-students include: Bournemouth University; King’s College, University of London; University of Southampton; Southampton Solent University; and University of Warwick.

How is the course assessed? Throughout the two year course, the units covered will assess a student’s ability to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates. • Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes, and when evaluating their own practical work, to show how meanings and responses are created. • Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills. • Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research. • Students’ on-going progress will be monitored via a range of formative assessments including: written essays, presentations and verbal responses to directed questioning whilst the coursework element will include production work to a professional standard that could include creation of either print work (magazine or DVD cover) or the opening to a ﬁlm.

What topics will I be studying? The first year is intended as an introductory course in Media Studies. During the year, students will develop their analytical skills and learn how media texts are constructed. They will also study a number of key issues relating to media representations and audience responses. The second year is designed to develop the knowledge and skills acquired by students within their first year. This is achieved through a greater emphasis on the relationship between text, audience and industry and the debates surrounding the nature of this complex relationship. This will require the close study of various texts from different media industries and a more in-depth consideration of a range of appropriate theoretical perspectives.

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment? The course does not require any specialist materials or equipment. However, students are required to attend every lesson with the basic tools to they need to study at this level; this includes carrying A4 paper and a selection of pens. Media Studies - A Level Head of Department: James Fraser-Murison Email: [email protected]

Fact File • The course provides an excellent introduction to the ﬁeld of Media Studies. • Entry requirements: six or more grade 5’s at GCSE, including a grade 5 or above in English Language. A GCSE in Media Studies is not required to take the course at A Level. • Many of our students continue their study of the media at degree level. A high number also develop careers in a range of media-related roles, including: ﬁlm and television production, journalism and marketing / public relations. • Media Studies compliments the study of a number of other subjects, including: Art & Design, Business Studies, English Literature, Media Studies, Politics and Sociology. • Students may have the opportunity to attend a range of trips, including those to the British Film Institute in London, Warner Bros Studio in London, and Los Angeles.

Course Summary We live in a world of competing messages, with many of these circulating via the interconnected industries that we commonly call ‘the media’. Making sense of these messages, and the ideologies contained therein, is vital if we wish to fully understand the world in which we live and possess the ability to make sensible and informed decisions.

Media Studies is an academic discipline that helps people to navigate today’s media saturated landscape by exploring the content, history and cultural impact of various media forms. As a student, you will do this by examining the relationship between text, audience and industry and exploring many of the debates surrounding the nature of that relationship.

Speciﬁc entry requirements English Language at grade 5 or above at GCSE. A GCSE in Media Studies is NOT required to take the course at A Level.

Progression skills and opportunities • One week work placement built in towards the end of the first year • Los Angeles trip that includes 3 studio tours • British Film Institute trip • Visiting professionals offering unit specific workshops

Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, Royal School of Needlework, UCA (Farnham, Epsom),In addition UAL to (Kingston, gaining a Camberwell),detailed knowledge Manchester of the Metropolitan, various media Bournemouth, sectors, students Falmouth, are Brighton,expected Winchesterto leave the and course UWE with (Bristol). enhanced skills in a range of key areas, including: creative thinking, problem-solving, effective communication and self-management. How is the course assessed? TheWhile course the course is divided is largely into 18 theoretical, Units which and are not all designed equally weighted. as a gateway 9 units into are the completed industry, manyin yearof our 1 forex-students the Subsidiary are now Diploma working and in 9 a units range in of year media-related 2 to complete roles, the including: Extended filmDiploma and whichtelevision is equivalent production, to 3journalism A levels. Each and unitmarketing/public is marked at Pass, relations. Merit Many or Distinction. of our ex-students have continued their study of the media at university, at both undergraduate and Whatpostgraduate topics will level. I be Universities studying? attended by our ex-students include: Bournemouth •University; Painting and King’s Drawing College, University of London; University of Southampton; Southampton •Solent Printmaking University; and University of Warwick. • Textiles •How Digital is theand coursefilm photography assessed? •Throughout Illustration the two year course, the units covered will assess a student’s ability to: •• Typography Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical • 3D Design debates. •• Contemporary Apply knowledge Fine Art and understanding when analysing media products and processes, • Digital and Art when evaluating their own practical work, to show how meanings and responses • Branding are created. • Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate Will I need technical any specialistand creative materials skills. or equipment? The• studio Demonstrate fee of £125 the per ability year to covers undertake, most of apply the materialsand present that appropriate students will research. require. Students• Students’ may wish on-going to purchase progress additional will be craftmonitored materials via ato range develop of formative additional assessments skills within their area including: of interest. written There essays, will be presentations the opportunity and toverbal take responses part in a residential to directed trip. questioning whilst the coursework element will include production work to a professional standard that could include creation of either print work (magazine or DVD cover) or the opening to a film.

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