Comprehensive Guide to Eduqas A-Level Media Studies

Media Studies A-Level equips students with critical analytical skills. They learn to deconstruct and understand the pervasive influence of media in contemporary society. The course encourages awareness of media language, representation, industries, audiences, and regulation. Students evaluate media products across various platforms. They consider their ideological underpinnings and cultural impact. Emphasis is placed on independent thought, research abilities, and well-reasoned arguments about media production and consumption.

Curriculum Pathway Overview

Year 1 Curriculum

In Year 1, students are exposed to a variety of foundational concepts and skills that will support their learning throughout the course.

Autumn 1

Autumn 1 of Media A-Level introduces core concepts including media language, representation, audience theory, and the media industry. Students explore important theorists, such as Barthes and Mulvey. Various mediums are examined, including music videos, advertising, and film.

• Introduction to Media Studies: Key theoretical frameworks include Media Language, Representation, Industry, and Audience. The concepts presented provide a robust foundation for analysis. Important figures like Roland Barthes Semiotics and series such as Line of Duty will be discussed.

• Music Video: The history of music video is explored through History of Music Video, Conventions of Music Video, and critical looks at MTV and New Pop and artists like Vance Joy and Beyonce. The theories of Bell Hooks and Laura Mulvey are also integrated.

• Advertising: The course examines the evolution of advertising through History of Advertising and key theoretical perspectives such as Postmodernism. Notable case studies include Super. Human, Kiss of the Vampire and Tide.

  
  

Autumn 2

Autumn 2 shifts focus to film marketing, cinema, video games, and radio, incorporating relevant theories and historical contexts.

• Film Marketing: Concepts such as Black American Cinema and the Marvel Universe reveal the industry's nuances. The exploration of films like Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake connects students with meaningful narratives in film.

  
  

• Explorations in Video Games: Important historical aspects of gaming and emerging trends in esports are covered, including insights from theorists like Henry Jenkins and Clay Shirky. Key case study: Assassin's Creed.

  
  

• Radio and Public Broadcasting: The course delves into the History of Radio and other significant projects, emphasizing the impact of institutions such as the BBC. Key case study: Woman's Hour.

  
  

Spring 1

Spring 1 of Media A-Level focuses on television drama and magazines. It analyzes both historical contexts and conventions, with an emphasis on audience engagement.

• Television Drama: Classic serials and emerging trends are examined. Key theorists such as Steve Neale and Levi Strauss are introduced to help contextualize student learning.

  
  

• Magazines: An investigative look at Magazine Conventions and their evolution will be conducted. Students will explore influential publications like Vogue and Big Issue.

  
  

Spring 2

In Spring 2, students explore the rise of online media, influencers, and platforms such as YouTube.

• Online Media: The impact of The Rise of Celebrity Bloggers on culture is dissected. They will examine the historical significance of events such as the AIDS Crisis in the 1980s and LGBTQ+ history.

  
  

• NEA Project Preparation: This segment involves the initial stages of the NEA project, emphasizing research and planning.

  
  

Summer 1 and Summer 2

The NEA Production element challenges students to create a media product using practical skills. This includes filming, editing, photo shoots, and web design.

• The post-production phase involves meticulous editing and audience testing to refine the quality of the media product.

  
  

Year 2 Curriculum

Autumn 1

In Year 2, Autumn 1 centers around newspapers, analyzing influential publications and their historical significance.

• Newspapers: Students explore the evolution of traditional print media by studying The Mirror and The Times, examining significant events like the Leveson Inquiry.

  
  

Autumn 2

In Autumn 2, students focus on effective revision techniques necessary for excelling in Component One.

• Exam Techniques: Tools such as the Pomodoro Technique and peer reviews are explored, enabling students to refine their projects effectively.

  
  

Spring 1 and Spring 2

In the subsequent months, strategies across Components One and Two will be synthesized. Students will engage with past papers and analyze exam questions.

Final Exams

The last stages of the course culminate in formal examinations, preparing students to showcase their knowledge and skills acquired throughout the two-year journey.

This detailed overview offers an insightful glimpse into the structured curriculum of the Eduqas A-Level Media Studies course, emphasizing the critical skills and cultural awareness students will develop along their learning path.

For more resources on this topic, check out Media Studies Resources.

--wix--