L3MST

Level 3 Media Studies

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Ms S. Mohekey.

Media Studies can be picked up at Level 3. Many Year 13 students have selected to study it for the first time and gone on to make it the basis of their careers.

What will I learn?

You will  what the mass media is and how it works.

You will learn how to plan, design and create advanced media products.

You will learn how to critically read a feature film text from different perspectives. A very important critical thinking skill!

You will learn how genre texts relate to society, both creating and reflecting social change. 

You will develop your literacy skills and explore your creativity. 

Topics include: making a short genre film with a group, or creating a magazine feature article on a topic of your choice as an individual, from the initial idea through to the finished product; learning to script a screenplay or write a feature article; looking at one feature film from two different viewpoints; and studying Psychological Drama films from a range of years and exploring their connections to the third wave of feminism in America.

There is only one external standard.

Where does it lead?  This is a University Entrance approved course.  

It can lead to a range of tertiary study courses, from a range of university courses to national Broadcasting School, from film schools such as South Seas to UNITEC, depending on your particular strengths and interests. Media Studies can lead you in a large range of career directions including: broadcasting; journalism; advertising; public relations; marketing; entertainment; teaching; and communication. It is both a creative and an analytical subject.


Course Outline:

Most standards are internally assessed, there is one external examination.

Media product - Choose to produce either a magazine feature article spread working solo or a short film working in teams of up to three people. 

Step one - Media Concept – AS 91494 - 3.5 “All Going to Plan”  (4 credits). Internal -  create a plan and design for either a short film or a magazine feature article.                          

Step two - Media Script – AS 91497 - 3.8 “Get it Write” (3 credits). Internal - write a media text – either a film script or a magazine article.

Step three - Media Production – AS 91495 - 3.6 “Production Line” (6 credits). Internal - use your plan to film and edit your short film or to layout and illustrate your magazine feature article.                                        

Language of Film – AS 91491 - 3.2 “Talking Pictures” (3 credits). Internal -  apply your knowledge of film texts and society to make two different readings of a film, taking on different perspectives.                                   

Media and Society – AS 91492 - 3.4 “Psychological Thrillers” (4 credits) External -  explore the relationship between American society during the third wave of feminism and the genre of Psychological Thriller films by viewing and analysing a range of texts from the last three decades. You will write an essay to answer in response to a starter.                   

                             


What should I have already done?

It is recommended that you have an interest in creating and studying the media. Previous learning in Media Studies will be an advantage.

 

Course Contribution

Students will need an SD card for their film work.

Pathway

The career pathways from Media Studies are ever expanding as we become an increasingly digital society. You can study communications, film making, journalism, marketing and gaming. Media graduates end up in a wide range of careers.

Career Pathways

Credit Information

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

Total Credits Available: 20 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 16 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91491 v2
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of a media text through different readings
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91493 v3
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of a relationship between a media genre and society
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91494 v2
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.5 - Produce a design for a media product that meets the requirements of a brief
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
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. 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: 20
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: 20

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.

Disclaimer

Courses will only run based on minimum entries

Selecting a course does not guarantee entry into this course

You may apply for an exemption if you do not meet the prerequisite of a course or if the course requires this for entry

Standards offered can be altered at the discretion of the HOD of the Department

Some standards in NCEA courses might be optional depending on student strengths

Course contribution may vary slightly by the start of 2025