KS4: 

The media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. The media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. 

The WJEC Eduqas specification offers learners the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of these key issues and the ability to debate important questions about the media. It introduces them to a theoretical framework for analysing the media, which also underpins study of the media at AS and A level. 

Through studying both established and evolving media forms, learners will gain a real awareness of the role of the media in society and culture. The study of a range of rich and stimulating media products is central to this specification, working from the product outwards to develop appreciation and understanding of the media. The course will cover such media forms as advertisements, magazines, film posters, video games, social media, crime dramas and music videos. 

The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Media Studies offers a broad, coherent and engaging course of study which enables learners to:

• demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis.
• acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues.
• develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics.
• understand and apply specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed in order to make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues.
• appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding.
• develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.