KS4

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Media Curriculum Plan – Nuneaton Academy

Curriculum Leader

 Ben Scoffham

Ben.scoffham@nuneatonacademy.org.uk

KEY STAGE 4

YEAR

1st Half of the year (Sept – Jan)

2nd Half of the year (Jan – July)

10

 

Component One

 

Section A

 

Media Language and Representation Introduction

As students are introduced the subject of media studies, they will be introduced to two key theoretical frameworks that will underpin the future studies of the subject (media language and representation) providing them with fundamental skills and knowledge that will be taught explicitly through unseen examples.

Analytical skills will also be taught explicitly through the aforementioned range of examples, with a specific look at the following: Print Advertising, Print film marketing, Audio-visual film marketing, and Music videos. All meaning to serve a purpose in developing students’ analytical knowledge from other subjects, such as English and apply that to a media setting.

Students will also begin to develop understanding of social and cultural contexts and the impact these have on products from selected time periods. They will begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of the codes and conventions of the various texts studied linked to type, form and genre.

Media Language and Representation

Students will now take a more in-depth look at two key theoretical frameworks: Media Language and Representation. This will develop their understanding of the conventions used in advertising and marketing from different genres, to analysis of visual codes, whilst applying them to theory and analysis. Analytical skills covered in the first unit will be covered and used frequently to develop understanding and structure that would be present from English at KS3.

In this term students will begin to analyse the set texts from component one, and explore the use of media language and representation in the marketing of these products. The set texts studied will be:

  • Vogue (July 2021)
  • GC (August 2019)
  • The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
  • No Time to Die (2021)
  • Quality Street (1956)
  • This Girl Can (2015)
  • The Guardian (January 2022)
  • The Sun (January 2021)

Through the analysis of these products students will develop a holistic understanding of society and its development, using knowledge taught in History, English, and RE about the diverse representation of people in society, and apply that to texts and their analysis. In addition to working on comparative writing, which would be covered in-depth during students studies of power and conflict poetry in English.

Section B

Media Industry and Audience Introduction

Students will also be introduced to the other two key theoretical frameworks that will underpin their studies, looking at Industries and Audiences. These frameworks will be full of new content that would not have been covered in previous studies, focusing on funding models, ownership and regulation, providing students with a knowledge of business and an understanding of production processes.

In this unit of work, students will develop their explanation skills, being able to understand products and elaborate on their points using key teaching and independent thought. It builds on knowledge from the Language and Representation frameworks, taught previously and enables students to use said knowledge of analysis to understand target audiences and how products appeal to them.

Media Industry and Audience

Students will now use knowledge taught regarding industry and audiences, and apply that to set texts. Working on skills of explanation and analysis, developing understanding of marketing and how products become successful. The set texts are selected to provide diverse example from different industries to provide students with a holistic view of the media industry, past and present.

The set texts studies will be:

  • Fortnite (Gaming Industry)
  • The Archers (Radio Industry)
  • The Sun (Newspaper Industry)
  • No Time to Die (Film Industry)

Students would have previously looked at products such as ‘The Sun’ and ‘No Time to Die’ focussing on marketing analysis, using this prior learning to help inform decisions made to target audiences, as well as the ownership side of product creation. Students will also use their skills of analysis developed in the Language and Representation frameworks, to inform their responses based on the newer products such as Fortnite and The Archers.

 

Revision - Component One

 

When returning in the new year students will have the prospect of mock exams shortly after returning. For the first few week’s students will be taught how to properly revise the subject of Media studies focussing on a Recall, Respond, Apply approach that will underpin all revision moving forward. This will be a time where students will be able to develop exam craft as well as prepare for mock exams, focussing on application of content into exam questions. Focus will be on the content covered during the first two terms for Component One.

 

Component Two

 

Section A

Crime Drama

 

Students will develop their knowledge and understanding explored in component one and apply that knowledge to the case study of Luther (2010). This case study will require students to look at all four areas of the Media Studies framework (language, representation, audience and industry), as well as develop their understanding of British production, and the codes that appeal to audiences.

Students will analyse a set episode (Series 1, Episode 1) and develop extended responses based on narrative, characterisation, and mise-en-scene, and how they are conventional for this specific genre (crime thriller).

 

This unit builds on previous knowledge taught, focussing on the representation of gender within a modern-day crime drama, as well as being able to use the skills of analysis to understand the construction of the case study. Funding models, audience appeal, and reach will also be explored, using previous learning on The Archers and the BBC to inform analysis and understanding of a crime drama.

 

Students will also compare the contemporary case study of Luther (2010) to that of a more traditional example of The Sweeney (1975) developing understanding of progression and development of genre conventions whilst also comparing the industry and representation side of creation, focussing on masculinity, femininity, and ethnicity, all ideas explored in previous learning of component one, to provide students with a more rounded and critical approach to their analysis.

 

 

Section B

Music - Music Video and Online Media

 

Students will examine music videos and how they have evolved since the 1980s. A wide range of genres will be explored and students will then apply their skills of analysis covered in previous units of work to the set text of Duran Duran, Rio (1982). Students will explore how the context of the 1980s impacted the production, and draw comparisons to the contemporary set texts of Stormzy, Superheroes (2019) and Taylor Swift, The Man (2019). In this unit students will draw upon concepts and ideas explored in previous units using product analysis to understand the representation of gender and ethnicity, as well as being able to clearly communicate the messages created in the text for the consumers.

 

Students will also explore how ownership models shape production processes in the music industry, with a view to looking at the impact of context in production. They will examine the online media and marketing strategies of the artists from the set products (Stormzy and Taylor Swift) and be able to analyse the impact that this has on the audience.

 

Revision and Exam Craft

Students will recap the component 1 set texts, completing full component 1 mock papers examining representations and language for Section A and applying knowledge and understanding of industry and audience for Section B. As well as the component 2 set texts for Crime drama (Luther and The Sweeney) and Music Duran Duran, Stromzy and Taylor Swift). This unit will focus on the application of content knowledge ensuring students have a firm understanding of approaching exam questions, building on independence and confidence.

 

In the post mock examination time period, students will receive feedback on any gaps or misconceptions that have been made apparent in the test papers and they will be addressed with teaching, as well as providing an opportunity to explore areas that students struggle with or find weakness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Year Assessment:  Component One mock exam based on the four frameworks and set texts.

End of Year Assessment:  Component One and Two mock examinations.

YEAR

September – November

December – March

March - June

 

 

 

11

 

Component Three – Coursework

Component three continues to build on the student’s knowledge of the subject by applying it through a more practical medium. Students will be given a design brief which they will use their understanding of product analysis and representation to properly develop their own examples based on the Media form chosen. Students will take the role of a ‘producer’ and complete research tasks, create their own statement of aims, and then complete their product.

 

Independent Application/Exam Craft

Whilst completing coursework one lesson a week will be dedicated to independent writing application to ensure that students are prepared for the November mock examinations. These lessons will involve drawing on previous knowledge of Component 1 and Component 2 texts, with a random exam question being posed to them on the day. Students will be expected to revise and be prepared for this session, and time will be dedicated for feedback as well.

 

 

 

Revision and Exam Craft

 

Students will recap the component 1 set texts, completing full component 1 mock papers examining representations and language for Section A and applying knowledge and understanding of industry and audience for Section B. As well as the component 2 set texts for Crime drama (Luther and The Sweeney) and Music Duran Duran, Stromzy and Taylor Swift). This unit will focus on the application of content knowledge ensuring students have a firm understanding of approaching exam questions, building on independence and confidence.

 

Specific focus will be on:

  • Unseen analysis
  • Context
  • Representation
  • Audience theories
  • Industry theories

 

In the post mock examination time period, students will receive feedback on any gaps or misconceptions that have been made apparent in the test papers and they will be addressed with teaching, as well as providing an opportunity to explore areas that students struggle with or find weakness.

 

Revision and Exam Craft

 

Students will recap the component 1 set texts, completing full component 1 mock papers examining representations and language for Section A and applying knowledge and understanding of industry and audience for Section B. As well as the component 2 set texts for Crime drama (Luther and The Sweeney) and Music Duran Duran, Stromzy and Taylor Swift). This unit will focus on the application of content knowledge ensuring students have a firm understanding of approaching exam questions, building on independence and confidence.

 

Specific focus will be on:

  • Unseen analysis
  • Text Analysis
  • Context
  • Representation
  • Audience theories
  • Industry theories

 

 

November Mock Exam:  Component One and Two mock examinations

March Mock Exam:  Component One and Two mock examinations

ACTUAL GCSE EXAM