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Media Studies

Departmental Aims

St Joseph’s Media Studies department aims to introduce the subject to pupils in an enjoyable and educational way. We encourage all students at all stages and levels to question the role of the Mass Media within society; whereby bringing quality into their independent consumption of films, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet and advertising. We try to explore Media texts that are both challenging and contemporary thus making the subject more appealing to learners.

Students are expected to engage with the theoretical aspects of the subject and encouraged to explore the infinite potential of these through practical work. This ensures that all graduates of the college will be forever empowered by the knowledge and insight gained, enabling them to carry the same curiosity and creativity to whichever field they choose.

Media Studies at St Joseph's

The popularity of Media Studies has increased over the last few years at the college. This is mainly due to the stimulation and interest that students have gained during Key Stage 3 and 4 Media modules within English, which the Media Studies department has helped to develop.

Last academic year, our Visual Arts module as a part of the Expressive Arts GCSE proved popular and a Media Team was created. This team is made up of Key Stage 4 students who independently manage younger, Key Stage 3 students, selected by their English teachers, to create short films, which document various school activities and are used within celebration assemblies. We have also been approached to edit the college newsletter this year.

This academic year also sees the introduction of the Creative and Media Diploma at KS4 and an enrichment activity of a Key Stage 3 Film Club, ran by the subject co-coordinator, which will assist in skills essential for English. The new Key Stage 4 Film Club will be ran by Key Stage 5 students for Key Stage 4 students.

Resources

Saint Joseph’s Media Studies department is small but is rapidly expanding as the subject gains popularity. All classrooms are equipped with Interactive whiteboards, which are ideal for deconstructing all types of Media texts.

We have a bank of iMacs where all practical work that is shot on mini-DV cameras are edited in iMovie, a simple version of the industry standard Final Cut. Students also use the professional programme, Photoshop to create print texts.