Unit 1 MEST1 Investigating Media
Introduction
The aim of this unit is to enable candidates to investigate the media by applying media concepts to a range of media products in order to reach an understanding of how meanings and responses are created. Candidates should be encouraged to investigate the contemporary media landscape and the changing contexts within which media texts are produced and consumed.Candidates will investigate the processes of meaningmaking in media production and reception:
• at the micro level within individual products (also termed texts)
• and at a macro level in terms of technologies (alsotermed platforms).
In this specification the media platforms are referred to as broadcasting, e-media and print, to include linear broadcasting (audio-visual) and
cinema, print media, digital/web-based and emerging media. Candidates will firstly investigate a wide range of media texts to familiarise themselves with media language and media codes and conventions and then embark upon a cross-media study. The investigations into media concepts, processes and products will link with and inform the research into Unit 2: Creating Media, where candidates are required to produce media artefacts taken from two of the three media platforms.
Assessment Objectives
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts (and critical debates)
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes (and evaluating their own practical work) to show
how meanings and responses are created
Content
Texts, concepts and contexts Candidates should start this unit by investigating a wide range of media texts taken from the three media platforms to enable them to understand the media languages and the codes and conventions of moving image and print texts applicable to broadcasting (audio-visual) and cinema, digital/web-based media (e-media) and newspapers and magazines.Centres should choose media texts that enable candidates to identify and evaluate the ways in which the media languages are used (media forms) and which also allow investigation and exploration of the additional concepts of:
• media representations
• media institutions
• media audiences.
The study of media forms gives candidates an understanding of media language, including narrative and genre. Appreciating how media representations are constructed provides insight into the values and ideologies underpinning the media. This is also apparent in the study of media institutions and media audiences. Study of these areas also provides candidates with an understanding of the profound changes aking place in the production and reception of the media, and some of the implications of these changes.Candidates will also gain a basic understanding of the role of marketing and the advertising industry in financing and promoting media through the investigation of a range of advertising texts and strategies present within and across the media platforms. Semiotics, narrative structures, reception theories and ideas and information relevant to the study of media texts and media platforms should be taught insofar as they serve to help candidates understand how meanings and responses are created in media products. However the understanding and application of media concepts is more important than the reproduction of theories or information. Texts should be chosen to allow candidates access to cross-cultural factors where appropriate candidates are expected to use appropriate media terminology in their responses to the examination questions and this should be taught from the start of the course.
The aim of this unit is to enable candidates to investigate the media by applying media concepts to a range of media products in order to reach an understanding of how meanings and responses are created. Candidates should be encouraged to investigate the contemporary media landscape and the changing contexts within which media texts are produced and consumed.Candidates will investigate the processes of meaningmaking in media production and reception:
• at the micro level within individual products (also termed texts)
• and at a macro level in terms of technologies (alsotermed platforms).
In this specification the media platforms are referred to as broadcasting, e-media and print, to include linear broadcasting (audio-visual) and
cinema, print media, digital/web-based and emerging media. Candidates will firstly investigate a wide range of media texts to familiarise themselves with media language and media codes and conventions and then embark upon a cross-media study. The investigations into media concepts, processes and products will link with and inform the research into Unit 2: Creating Media, where candidates are required to produce media artefacts taken from two of the three media platforms.
Assessment Objectives
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts (and critical debates)
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes (and evaluating their own practical work) to show
how meanings and responses are created
Content
Texts, concepts and contexts Candidates should start this unit by investigating a wide range of media texts taken from the three media platforms to enable them to understand the media languages and the codes and conventions of moving image and print texts applicable to broadcasting (audio-visual) and cinema, digital/web-based media (e-media) and newspapers and magazines.Centres should choose media texts that enable candidates to identify and evaluate the ways in which the media languages are used (media forms) and which also allow investigation and exploration of the additional concepts of:
• media representations
• media institutions
• media audiences.
The study of media forms gives candidates an understanding of media language, including narrative and genre. Appreciating how media representations are constructed provides insight into the values and ideologies underpinning the media. This is also apparent in the study of media institutions and media audiences. Study of these areas also provides candidates with an understanding of the profound changes aking place in the production and reception of the media, and some of the implications of these changes.Candidates will also gain a basic understanding of the role of marketing and the advertising industry in financing and promoting media through the investigation of a range of advertising texts and strategies present within and across the media platforms. Semiotics, narrative structures, reception theories and ideas and information relevant to the study of media texts and media platforms should be taught insofar as they serve to help candidates understand how meanings and responses are created in media products. However the understanding and application of media concepts is more important than the reproduction of theories or information. Texts should be chosen to allow candidates access to cross-cultural factors where appropriate candidates are expected to use appropriate media terminology in their responses to the examination questions and this should be taught from the start of the course.
