Media/Film/Tv Studies

Course summary

We would probably all agree that you should never underestimate the power of the media, so to have an insight into how the media represents everything from our news to the contents of our shopping basket, is to have an understanding of the ways communication works throughout our society. As Director of the Communication and Media Research Institute, University of Westminster, Professor David Gauntlett says, “Popular media can take a leading role in social change … it can help to chip away at people’s prejudices.” This is core to Media Studies at St Mary’s, where students study the representation of different social groups within the media over time, and whether those The A Level in Media Studies introduces students to the role and impact of the media on society, culture, politics and the economy in both domestic and global spheres. Using case studies from nine media areas including news, film, music video and advertising, students develop their understanding through a theoretical framework of media language, representation, media industries and audience. There are no GCSE subject requirements for this course. Students must be ICT-literate and have a willingness to work independently and to learn how to use editing software to create their media products.