Media Studies
The AQA Media Studies curriculum is an immersive deep dive into what makes the media work today. Media Studies combines practical and written skills while allowing students to be creative. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how media products reflect the social, cultural, historical and political contexts in which they are produced. As such, students will have the opportunity to study Media Texts such as Doctor Who, Black Widow, The Mirror, BBC Radio Breakfast, Artic Monkeys, etc. Laura Croft Go, etc.
Course Content
Media Studies covers four major concepts studied across the units. The Exam Board chooses the products for examination and non-assessed coursework briefs each year. The key concepts covered are: Media language, industry, audience and representation. These are explored via a range of forms and through the analysis of different print media products.
Media One
What's assessed
Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- Magazines
- Advertising and marketing
- Newspapers
- Online, social and participatory media and video games.
Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- Radio
- Music video
- Newspapers
- Online, social and participatory media and video games
- Film industries.
How it's assessed
There is a written exam for 1 hour 30 minutes which equates to 84 marks and is 35% of the GCSE.
Questions
- A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
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An extended response question (20 marks).
Media Two
What's assessed
Section A will be based on a screening from an extract of one of the television Close Study Products and can test any area of the theoretical framework.
Section B will be based on either newspapers or online, social and participatory media and video games and can test any area of the framework.
How it's assessed
There is a written exam for 1 hour 30 minutes which is worth 84 marks and 35% of the GCSE. It includes short, medium and extended response questions assessing depth of knowledge and understanding of the course.
Non-exam assessment: creating a media product.
What's assessed
- Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
- Ability to create media products.
How it's assessed
A choice of one of five annually changing briefs, set by AQA that is worth 60 marks or 30% of the GCSE. This is assessed by teachers and moderated by the AQA.
Tasks
Students produce:
- A statement of intent
- A media product for an intended audience.
