This course is best suited to students who wish to study more academic courses at university.
You will be analysing media texts in relation to academic theories such as semiotics (the language of media, postmodernism etc.), representation (e.g. feminist theories, theories of ethnicity and postcolonialism etc.), audience theory (including how the media affects our behaviour and the need for regulation) and industry theories (media ownership, government regulation and power).
Practical Coursework allows you to creatively apply your theoretical knowledge and understanding to an original crossmedia production that will involve producing both print and video products.
The following forms are studied:
• Newspapers (The Times and The Daily Mirror),
• Magazines (Vogue and The Big Issue),
• Television (Life on Mars and The Bridge),
• Online, social and participatory media (KSI and Attitude).
• Advertising and marketing (Kiss of the Vampire, Tide’s Got What Women Want, WaterAid: Rain for Good),
• Film marketing (Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake),
• Music video (Dizzee Rascal’s Dream and Vance Joy’s Riptide),
• Radio (Late Night Woman’s Hour)
• Video games (Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation).
Media Studies offers a broad, engaging and stimulating course of study which enables you to:
• demonstrate a critical approach to media issues.
• demonstrate appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture, politics and the economy.
• apply theoretical knowledge and specialist subject specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed.
• engage in critical debate about academic theories used in media studies.
• Develop your essay writing and literacy skills in order to answer complex questions about the media.
Study Visits
A variety of trips and visits will be available throughout the year in addition to some opportunities to meet visiting speakers from the Creative Industries. Trips and visits in the past have included:
• University of Sheffield Film Festival.
• BFI London Film Festival and Harry Potter Studios.
• Media City Manchester.
Your next steps...
• Broadcast (TV and Radio),
• Publishing and journalism (newspapers or magazines),
• Media Planner,
• Advertising and marketing,
• Social Media Manager,
• Information technology,
• Travel and tourism,
• Teaching.
