<h2>Media Studies</h2><p>This course provides an integrated introduction to the study of the media and the contemporary media landscape.</p>

<p>What you will study:</p>

<p>The key media concepts: language, representation, industries and audience. The media platforms of audio-visual, online and print, including: TV, film, radio, advertising and marketing, video games, music video, social and participatory media, newspapers and magazines. This course will develop your knowledge of media language to decode a wide range of media texts, through a thorough understanding of codes, conventions, genre, technologies and intertextuality. You will gain an understanding of emerging and future developments of the media and cover examples of media you may not normally engage with, such as products produced before 1970, for a non-English speaking audience, made outside the commercial mainstream, or targeting a minority group. You will develop knowledge of social, cultural, economic, historical and political contexts to consider how texts are produced and received. Through the creation of your own products, this course will also give you the opportunity to gain technical proficiency with specialist equipment, such as video and still cameras.</p>

<p>Media Studies is a well-established course and is accepted by universities as an entrance qualification. It will be very useful for anyone considering a career in journalism, broadcasting, or indeed any design-based field.</p><h3>Assessment</h3><p>The written examinations are each worth 35% and creating your own product 30% of the A Level. It is therefore vital that you bring to this course the ability to research a topic and present your ideas clearly in an essay, while also being able to take on the more practical challenge of creative and technical productions.</p>

<p>Media One - 2hrs - 35% of A-Level</p>

<p>Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences.</p>

<p>Questions:</p>

<ul>
 <li>A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products</li>
 <li>Two essay questions, one of which is an extended response question.</li>
</ul>

<p>Media Two - 2hrs - 35% of A-Level</p>

<p>Questions will focus on the in-depth media forms of television, magazines and online, social and participatory media/video games</p>

<p>Questions:</p>

<ul>
 <li>One medium length unseen analysis question. &nbsp;</li>
 <li>Three essay questions, one of which is an extended response question and one of which is a synoptic question.</li>
</ul>

<p>Non-Exam Assessment - Creating a Cross-Media Product - 30% of A-Level</p>

<p>This will assess the application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework, and the ability to create media products.</p>

<p>The assessment will be internally assessed and externally moderated.</p>

<p>Students produce:</p>

<ul>
 <li>A statement of intent</li>
 <li>Cross-media products made for an intended audience</li>
</ul>