A Level Taster session

"When people talk to me about the digital divide, I think of it not so much about who has access to what technology as about who knows how to create and express themselves in the new language of the screen. If students aren't taught the language of sound and images, shouldn't they be considered as illiterate as if they left college without being able to read and write?"

George Lucas, filmmaker

A LEVEL MEDIA STUDIESTaster/Induction Session

FORMSAUDIENCEREPRESENTATION

INC. HEGEMONICINSTITUTIONS

INC. VALUESFEMINISM

& POST-FEMINISMVOYEURISMDISMEMBERMENTMALE GAZECAPITALISMCODES & CONVENTIONSDOMINANT & PREFERRED

READINGSSEXISM

Theories & concepts we could apply to this piece of promotional material

In A Level Media Studies, we learn about all of these theories and concepts, along with many, many more.

However, we start by understanding what we call the four key concepts;

Audiences, Representations, Forms & Institutions

Coincidently, these make up the key areas of study for your AS exam…

LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE COURSE IS STRUCTURED

LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE COURSE IS STRUCTURED

Each year you will sit one exam worth 50% of the overall grade for that year (or 25% of the overall 2 year A - Level).

The other 50% is from one large piece of coursework each year.

AS

A2

HTTP://FILESTORE.AQA.ORG.UK/SUBJECTS/AQA-2570-W-SP-15.PDF

More information online at:

NEXT STEPS?Media studies has proved a successful choice for students so far, with students generally over-achieving against target grades. Half of our students so far have at least expressed a desire to pursue a career in media e.g.;

Terence (pred. A) - Going to Greenwich Uni to study Film Production

Hannah (pred. B) - Also going to Greenwich to study Media Studies BA

Media studies naturally leads to careers in journalism, marketing, advertising and public relations. But an awareness of how the world of media works can also support other careers such as a law, education, business, IT and social work.

TASK

In groups, prepare a diagram using the sugar paper & pens provided to demonstrate what you think Media Studies AS will involve and is about;

Make sure you include examples that refer to specific media products (e.g. TV, film, magazines etc.)

WE HAVE A BLOG…

Please visit

http://oae-media-blog.com

This is a joint project exclusive to A Level Media studies students and teachers. It is used to

Share ideas, make observations, vent, submit work, revise, help, assist, aid, guide…

Those of you who still want to do Media in September (and get the required grades), will be able to sign up and contribute.

READING LIST

It is strongly suggested that you purchase a copy of these books;• AQA Media Studies, Burton,

J. Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-0-7487-9814-8

• Media Studies Unit 2 Creating Media, Phillip Alan Updates, ISBN 978-0-340-98714-8

• Media Studies AS & A2 Revision Express, Pearson, ISBN 978-1-4082-0661-4

But some copies of these and a few others are generally available to borrow.A full copy of the reading list can be found on the blog - under the reading list hyperlink in the menu.

SUMMER TASK

Visit the blog (oae-media-blog.com) and find an article that you find interesting.

Prepare a similar article (500 word-ish) about a media text you that watch/read/use. The article needs to be about why you enjoy it.

This will be checked in your first lesson back, during which you will make it your first blog post.

Enjoy the long holiday! But….