Subject Intent

In Media Studies we study a wide range of media products and industries to help students understand one of the most pressing issues of our time: How does the media we consume shape our opinions and actions? This helps students develop the 'media literacy' to enable young people to have the skills, knowledge and understanding to make full use of the opportunities presented by both traditional and new communications services. Media literacy also helps people to manage content and communications, and protect themselves and their families from the potential risks associated with using these services. In an online environment where the possibility for direct content regulation diminishes, the need for a media-literate public increases. In addition, the Edugas GCSE Media Studies course has been carefully selected to both engage students and challenge their preconceptions with a range of products they will be familiar, such as music videos and Fortnite but to also develop their cultural capital by exposing them to less familiar, but significant media products such as The Guardian and The Archers. Furthermore, we equip students with engaging and accessible practical skills that will help them interact with the media landscape more effectively and increase their understanding of how media representations are constructed as well as develop their skills to enable them to progress further in the media production industry.

What are the key skills of a media studies student?

1. Analysing and writing about the impact of media language and contexts using subject specific terminology
2. Comparing representations in media products
3. Applying substantive knowledge to unseen media products in extended written responses
4. Applying and writing about audience and industry theoretical perspectives to set media products
5. Understanding the development of media over time, comparing the past contemporary media
6. Planning and designing media products to communicate meaning for intended audiences
7. Using media production equipment, software and technology