L3MDS

Media Studies Level 3

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr J. Hickey.

Level 3 Media Studies

The media surrounds and influences all aspects of our lives. It is playing an increasingly central role in the lives of young people. Studying media and how it works, as well as learning how to use it to effectively communicate new ideas are crucial to all 21st-century young adults. 



Students will be offered the following internal standards: (the equivalent assessments will be on offer at Level 2 in 2023) 

AS3.3 (91492): Demonstrate understanding of the media representation of a DISADVANTAGED GROUP or OTHER GROUP in NZ culture or society.(3 credits) 

They must be able to understand the media and not just take it on face value but to be able to ask critical questions about how groups are represented and whether they think it is a correct representation or not.  

AS 3.2 (91491) Demonstrate the understanding of the meaning of a media text through different readings (3 credits)

In this course they also must be able to view a film and have the ability to look through different lenses and comment on how themes are communicated about groups, gender, politics, religion and numerous other issues and how this perspective affects wider society. 

AS 3.5 (91494): Produce a design for a media product that meets the requirements of a brief- (4 credits)

AS3.6 (91495): Produce a media product to meet the requirements of a brief- (6 credits)

Young people also must be able to work in a group and collaborate to reach a desired outcome just like in the media industry. They have a major project of planning a short film and then shooting it in a group to create a horror genre short film which will take an entire term. 

AS 3.7(AS 91496) Demonstrate understanding of a significant development in the media 5 weeks to complete.(3 credits)

They need to be able to identify a significant development in social media. This must be done to highlight how and why a social media platform, app or company has made a  considerable impact on the audience, industry and wider society and what lies in wait for us in the future.

Students will be offered the following external standard:

AS 3.1 (AS 91490) Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media industry (4 credits)

The students need to research and prepare for an essay question dealing with an aspect in the media industry. They are advised to use their significant development in AS3.7 as a starting point to prepare for this single external standard.

Level 3:  Media Studies Skills Matrix:
  • Active analysis and creation of the production of media
  • Examine the role media plays in society
  • Examine the ways in which media has/is/could be disseminated and presented to society. 
  • Development of critical thinking and digital literacy and fluency
  • Create a short film incorporating basic visual communication techniques
  • Analyse and chart the change in social media and/or the music industry
  • Write a script and story board for a horror comedy short film

Important: In 2022 this class will be doing its external examinations DIGITALLY but the option to conduct the exam on paper will also be permitted.

Recommended Prior Learning

An advantage would be if students had a good knowledge of the following:

Camera Shots, Shot Framing and Camera Angles in Film Studies standards in English from Year 8-Year 12 as this will come in handy when completing AS3.5 and AS3.6 which is planning a short film in a group and then shooting the film of approximately 8 minutes in length. This takes an entire term but makes up over half of the internal credits on offer.


Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

A device is ideal

Pathway

This course can prepare you for further study at degree level in majors such as film, screen production, media and TV, communication studies, digital communication, advertising, radio and audio media, journalism, creative media production, performing and screen arts, sound production and creative writing (screen writing). Southseas Film School offers practical courses at diploma level.

The film industry in New Zealand is experiencing a growth with investment from the government into new studio facilities. New Zealand has been enjoying a boom in film production in recent times with major movies filmed here and it is predicted there will be increased job opportunities in this field.

Career Pathways

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

Total Credits Available: 16 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91490 v3
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media industry
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91495 v2
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.6 - Produce a media product to meet the requirements of a brief
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91496 v2
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.7 - Demonstrate understanding of a significant development in the media
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91497 v2
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.8 - Write a media text to meet the requirements of a brief
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 16
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 7
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 16

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.