AS Level Media Studies

What do we study?
Media Studies is a wide and exciting subject to study. Over the two years you will be exploring a wide variety of media, including televi- sion, film, print media and news. I will encourage you to read, watch and listen to a wide variety of texts and to talk about them and the ideas they provoke. Stay alert, be open to new ideas, be prepared to join in and the next two years will be a valuable and stimulating time.

The AS course consists of:

• Textual analysis (television drama)
• Video production (story board, shoot and edit the opening to a thriller film)
• Media institutions (the film industry)

Why study Media Studies?
A variety of skills are needed to fully explore and enjoy the dynamic range of media texts now in circulation. Increased access to digital media offers us new and alternative technological opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Through a variety of approaches, includ- ing the act of production, this course should enable you to develop your enjoyment of media texts, in addition to developing a framework for critical analysis of their meanings and contexts.

These skills can be transferred to a very varied range of careers, but are particularly useful for areas such as: working in the media, advertising, public relations, journalism (both print and broadcast), marketing, promotions and management.

What’s it like studying Media Studies?
I use a variety of teaching and learning methods in my classes, including group work, class discussions, mind mapping and interactive lectures. Film and television screenings also play a central role, alongside practical video and editing tasks which allow you to get involved with the creative side of the subject.

Typical exam question
How does BBC drama Doctor Who use technical codes to create representation? Please refer to:

• Camera work, editing, sound, mise-en-scene

Typical course work task
Produce the titles and opening sequence of a new fiction film. Using blog format, demonstrate evidence of planning and post production decisions.

Student Voice
“In my opinion, Media Studies is the most exciting and interesting subject. The course allows you to develop essential critical skills, as well as giving you the opportunity to express yourself freely and be creative!”

Recommended reading

• OCR Media Studies for AS (Julian McDougall)
• Media Studies: The Essential Introduction (Phillip Rayner, Peter Wall, Stephen Kruger)
• The Media Student’s Book (Gill Branston and Roy Stafford)
• The Media Guardian

Click here to download printable pdf version