Media Studies

Media Studies is a growing subject.  In 1990 only 60 students in the whole country took the subject in the sixth form.  Now over 30, 000 students take the subject. Like many institutions in Further Education,  Eastbury School has recognised this fact and has developed  an AS/ A2 course in Media Studies, which is oversubscribed every year.

Eastbury boasts a purpose built media base which is fitted out with the latest technology and equipment.  This gives students the opportunity to develop their own skills on site with almost immediate access to DV video cameras, six EMacs, a range of image manipulation software,  VCRs, DVDs, Digital stills cameras,  tripods and  TV studio.  In order to get the most out of Media Studies it will be essential that you spend time outside your lessons on your practical work.  To that end we will arrange wherever possible educational visits to support your studies.

 

But practical work is only one side of Media Studies.  Everything that is produced by students  has to be rooted in media theory.  In that sense Media is an academic subject.  This theory has been built up over forty years and incorporates other academic disciplines such as literary criticism, sociology, psychology, psychoanalytic theory, history, business and economic theory, semiotics and gender studies.  Media combines excellently with other subjects across the curriculum, including all Humanities subjects, English, Drama, Art and Technology.

 

A common misconception is that an Advanced level (or even a degree) in a Media related subject prepares a student for a job in the ‘meeja’.  Although the Chairman of ITV does have a Media degree it didn’t get him the job.  Of course an understanding of the media industries is not going to harm your chances but if you want to get in to broadcasting, journalism or film the best way is to pursue personal contacts and give up time for free in the holidays working in a local media organisation. The careers department is a good place to start.

 Finally, Media students are encouraged to keep up to date with current media events and developments.  This involves activities such as watching TV,  reading newspapers and  going to the cinema.  You hopefully do these things anyway but as students of the media you should try to broaden your experience of as many different kinds of media as possible and not just limit it to the things that you are into.

The syllabus followed is that of the OCR board – the largest board offering Media Studies at AS level. In Y12 you will take two exams - one in January and one in June. These will be on Textual Analysis and Audiences and Institutions respectively.  Coursework makes up 40% of the qualification - in the Spring term you will plan and produce the opening sequence of a thriller movie.  The course is currently delivered by three members of staff over four hours a week. The vast majority of students studying AS Media continue the course into Y13 - not because they are forced to, but because they enjoy it and want to explore the subject further.