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"The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses."
Malcolm X
Media Studies is a course which gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of media texts: television, film, newspaper, magazines, radio and many others. In each topic that is studied, students will understand the media's form and conventions, the audience to which it is addressed, the institutions that produce it and how people are represented.
Media Studies is unique in that a large proportion of students bring with them vast amounts of knowledge about the media before they begin. What this course is designed to do is allow students to build on the information they already possess and apply it in theoretical ways.
In Year 10 students are required to produce two portfolios: in each portfolio students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding, analysis and interpretation and production skills. Deadline details will be given to students well in advance. OCR recommends that these controlled assessments should take up 25-30 hours, therefore we do expect some work to be completed outside of school. These portfolios will consist of written essays - analysing media concepts, production pieces and detailed evaluations.
In Year 11 students undertake a Practical Production, from concept to realisation, together with a Supporting Account. This task gives students the opportunity to use digital video cameras and an iMac computer for editing. The quality of previous students' work has been that high that some pieces were used for Opening Evening and Year 7 Induction Day.
At the end of the course students are required to sit a final examination. The exam is 1 hour 45 minutes long and weighted as 40% of their total mark. This will assess their knowledge and understanding as well as their ability to analyse media texts using appropriate terminology.
Students are more than willing to come after school on any night to discuss or write their coursework and Mr Howes and Miss Brown will be on hand to answer any questions.
The student voice:
"I enjoy doing media studies at Etone College because it is a great way of learning with the great equipment they have to offer from cameras to Apple Macs. When I have media studies I look forward to going to my lesson because we have a laugh with the teachers and students whilst working, there is a great atmosphere in the class room at all times. When we make our music video we all have a big laugh and come out with great, funny and imaginative ideas and end up with a great music video from working together."
Ben cooper (Current Year 11 Student)
 | Year 11 Coursework deadlines |
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