MEDIA STUDIES KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM INFO

What is the qualification?

One full GCSE awarded at grades 9 – 1.

 

What will I be doing on the course?  How will it be structured?

The Media Studies course is divided into three units – two controlled assessment units and one examination. Over the course you will study a range of different media forms including television, film, magazines and advertising. You will also use digital technology such as digital cameras and graphic design software to make your own media products.

 

Controlled assessment 1 – practical production task

You will create an extract from a new magazine including the front cover, contents page and double page spread.

 

Controlled assessment 2 – individual portfolio

• You will produce a portfolio of work including the following elements:
• Analytical task – an essay or 15 slide presentation comparing the way gender is represented in advertising
• Production task – a print advertisement for a new product

Examination paper

There will be two sections.

• Section A Action Adventure Films – analysis of an unseen film extract
• Section B Television Comedy – case study

 

Assessment

Year 10

Spring Term: Practical production (25%)

Year 11

Autumn Term: Individual portfolio written assignment (15%)

Spring Term: Individual portfolio production task (10%)

Summer Term: External examination (50%)

 

What skills do I need to develop to be successful at this course?

You will need the following skills:

• Analytical skills
• ICT and design skills and the confidence to use software packages such as Photoshop and Adobe Premiere video editing
• Note-taking and observational skills
• Research, planning and organisational skills
• Creative thinking

 

What could I use this qualification for?

This qualification will allow you to go on and study an art, craft, or design based course at Post 16 but it will also help you enhance your research skills, analytical skills, independent and creative thinking skills and time management skills – all of which are very useful whatever courses you go on to study. Careers in fashion and clothing include: fashion designer, fashion stylist, teacher, textile designer, costume designer, garment technologist, costume maker, footwear designer, tailor, knitwear designer, milliners, pattern cutter/grader, or any problem solving or practical career.