Audience
Students will develop an understanding of how media industries tailor products to the needs and desires of individuals and groups. They will investigate how audiences are grouped and categorised, and how they are viewed and targeted by the media industry.
Assessment will include classwork, exam-style questions, and homework tasks that support both prior and future learning within the module.
Media Language and Representation
Building on the audience component, students will explore how individuals and groups are portrayed by the media, including the use of stereotypes and countertypes. Through focused case studies, students will analyse how mise-en-scène, camera work, costume, and setting construct meaning for audiences.
Case studies include Tomb Raider (video game and film), Barbie, the BBC, alongside other contemporary media products, allowing students to examine representation across film, television, and the video game industry.
Students will analyse media products in depth, linking their findings to key media theories. This helps students understand the reasoning behind creative and production choices, and why particular elements are included, highlighting their importance to both the product itself and its intended audience.
Assessment will include classwork, exam-style questions, and homework tasks that support both prior and future learning within the module.
Media Industries
Building upon prior learning, students will examine how different media industries are structured and controlled. Students will explore how the media industry has adapted to change, not only in technology but also in response to social and cultural shifts. They will investigate ownership and its influence on the portrayal of news and information, providing opportunities to consider how the media can shape or ‘control’ the messages and news stories we see and hear.
Assessment will include classwork, exam-style questions, and homework tasks that support both prior and future learning within the module.