Media Studies Aims

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At Sewell Park Academy we view the media as a powerful force in our modern world. Studying Media Studies allows students to get a better understanding of the different ways that they consume products and are targeted by different media organisations. This subject helps students to understand the world in which they live. Teaching Media Studies supports our students with their key analytical skills necessary for many other subjects. 

 

Taken from the AQA GCSE Media Studies Specification

 

As part of this course students will learn to: 

• demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision making and analysis 

• acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues 

• develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics 

• understand and apply specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed in order to make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues 

• appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding 

• develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

 

Academic Literacy

 

Media Studies requires students to use a new range of vocabulary in their writing and creative tasks. They learn this throughout the course, frequently returning to key terms and embedding them in extended writing. 

 

The subject also requires students to read a wide range of media texts. Whether this is a film extract or a magazine article. They will become familiar with how language is adapted for audiences and purposes. 

 

Big Ideas / Future You

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Within this subject, students are exposed to many possible Future Yous within the industry. This could be special effects, camera work or director. As part of the course involves a practical component, students have the opportunity to experiment with these Future Yous.