Media Studies

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This subtopic examines how gender identities are constructed and perpetuated through various media forms, including advertising, film, television, and digital platforms. It explores theoretical frameworks such as feminist theory, media effects models, and the male gaze, encouraging critical analysis of representation practices. Practical application involves deconstructing media texts to reveal underlying ideologies and understanding the implications for audiences and society.

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Theoretical Framework: Media Language

The study of media products in relation to their wider social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts, enabling learners to understand the influences on production, distribution, circulation, and consumption.

Theoretical Framework: Audiences

The study of media products in relation to their wider social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts, enabling learners to understand the influences on production, distribution, circulation, and consumption.

Contexts of Media (Historical, Social/Cultural, Economic, Political)

The study of media products in relation to their wider social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts, enabling learners to understand the influences on production, distribution, circulation, and consumption.

Theoretical Framework: Media Industries

The study of media products in relation to their wider social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts, enabling learners to understand the influences on production, distribution, circulation, and consumption.

Theoretical Framework: Representation

The study of media products in relation to their wider social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts, enabling learners to understand the influences on production, distribution, circulation, and consumption.

Component 1, Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation – Newspapers

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation – Advertising and Marketing

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Media Industries – Film (cross-media study including film marketing)

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Media Industries – Newspapers

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Media Industries – Radio

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Media Industries – Video Games

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Audiences – Advertising and Marketing

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Audiences – Newspapers

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Audiences – Radio

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section B: Understanding Audiences – Video Games

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 1, Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation – Music Video

Component 1, Section A focuses on the analysis of media language and representation within the music video form. Learners must study two music videos (one from Group 1 and one from Group 2) to explore how media language communicates meaning, how representations are constructed, and how these products relate to their social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Component 2, Section A: Television in the Global Age – Option 3: Spy Thrillers (Killing Eve and Tehran)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section A: Television in the Global Age – Option 1: Crime Dramas (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section A: Television in the Global Age – Option 2: Sci-Fi/Supernatural Thrillers (Black Mirror and The Returned)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section B: Magazines – Mainstream and Alternative Media – Option 1 (Woman and Adbusters)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section B: Magazines – Mainstream and Alternative Media – Option 2 (Woman's Realm and Huck)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section B: Magazines – Mainstream and Alternative Media – Option 3 (Vogue and The Big Issue)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section C: Media in the Online Age – Social Media/YouTube (Zoe Sugg or JJ Olatunji/KSI)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 2, Section C: Media in the Online Age – Online Magazine for a Minority Group (Thiiird or Attitude)

An in-depth study of television as a global industry, focusing on the transnational nature of contemporary crime dramas. Learners compare two contrasting programmes (Peaky Blinders and The Bridge) to explore production, distribution, circulation, and the role of public service broadcasting in a global marketplace. The study integrates the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) with specific focus on genre, gender performativity, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production – Advertising and Marketing: Music

Component 3 is a non-exam assessment (NEA) requiring an individual cross-media production based on two media forms. It synthesizes knowledge of the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) and digital convergence. Learners respond to a choice of briefs set annually by WJEC, creating a package of interrelated products for a specific intended audience and industry context.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production – Advertising and Marketing: Film

Component 3 is a non-exam assessment (NEA) requiring an individual cross-media production based on two media forms. It synthesizes knowledge of the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) and digital convergence. Learners respond to a choice of briefs set annually by WJEC, creating a package of interrelated products for a specific intended audience and industry context.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production – Magazines

Component 3 is a non-exam assessment (NEA) requiring an individual cross-media production based on two media forms. It synthesizes knowledge of the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) and digital convergence. Learners respond to a choice of briefs set annually by WJEC, creating a package of interrelated products for a specific intended audience and industry context.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production – Television

Component 3 is a non-exam assessment (NEA) requiring an individual cross-media production based on two media forms. It synthesizes knowledge of the theoretical framework (media language, representation, industries, and audiences) and digital convergence. Learners respond to a choice of briefs set annually by WJEC, creating a package of interrelated products for a specific intended audience and industry context.

Narratology (Todorov)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Genre theory (Neale)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Postmodernism (Baudrillard)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Theories of representation (Hall)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Theories of identity (Gauntlett)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Feminist theory (Van Zoonen, hooks)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Theories of gender performativity (Butler)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Theories around ethnicity and postcolonial theory (Gilroy)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Power and media industries (Curran and Seaton)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Regulation (Livingstone and Lunt)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Cultural industries (Hesmondhalgh)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Media effects (Bandura)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Cultivation theory (Gerbner)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Reception theory (Hall)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Fandom (Jenkins)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

‘End of audience’ theories (Shirky)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.

Semiotics (Barthes)

Semiotics is a key theoretical approach within the Media Language area of the theoretical framework. It involves the study of how media products communicate meanings through a process of signification, specifically focusing on the work of Roland Barthes.