Ben Liddy

Why is Media Studies Important? Our society has been transformed over the past century by the development of new media of communication. Film, radio, sound recording, television, video, and the Internet, among other media, have grown to become the main sources of information, entertainment and cultural stimulation for most people. - Horrocks and Hoben (2005)

History of Media Studies in NZ John O’Shea teaches a lunchtime film course at Wellington High School in He also attacks “the educational system” for being “doggedly out of touch with the visual images that bombard my own and other people’s children” Some enthusiastic teachers take informal lessons on film outside the curriculum in the 60s By 1977 some English teachers were incorporating film in their teaching

History of Media Studies in NZ 1983 was a big year for the development of Media Studies -Statement of Aims: Forms 3-5 legitimated media-related activities within the English classroom -Association of Film and Television Teachers (later NAME) formed Media Studies is offered for the first time as a subject in secondary schools under Sixth Form Certificate

History of Media Studies in NZ The new school English curriculum includes ‘visual language’ (along with oral and written language) in “ Within the English curriculum, the study of visual language focuses on forms of communication which directly incorporate words or have direct relevance to linguistics. It lays the foundation for advanced studies that extend beyond the scope of English, such as advanced design, media studies, or film-making.” English in the New Zealand Curriculum (1994)

History of Media Studies in NZ In 1995 NAME prepares a detailed Media Studies curriculum for schools but is unable to gain official acceptance for it. In 2003 and 2004 Level 2 and 3 Achievement Standards are introduced Level 1 Standards were not authorised (planned for 2011)

Media Studies and English The study of Media started in English Most of the teachers of Media Studies up until the 90s Media is still widely studied in English (static image, film, research) Example from TP

Why do we need Media Studies? A brief comparison of Media Studies with English may provide a useful starting point. The close reading of texts is important to both subjects Media Studies explores a wider range of media and text- types Media Studies is more sociological Media Studies tends to be more conceptual Media Studies is more contemporary in its orientation None of these differences makes Media Studies better or worse, but they do create a different kind of learning experience for the student. - Horrocks and Hoben (2005)

Media Studies Matrix Level 1Level 2Level Demonstrate understanding of how individuals interact with the media 3 creditsInternal 2.1 Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between a media product and its audience 3 creditsExternal 3.1 Examine a specific media industry 4 creditsExternal 1.2 Demonstrate understanding of selected elements of media text(s) 3 creditsInternal 2.2 Demonstrate understanding of narrative in media texts 4 credits Internal 3.2 Examine a media text through two different readings 3 creditsInternal 1:3 Demonstrate understanding of the media coverage of a current issue or event 4 creditsExternal 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of representation in the media 3 creditsInternal 3.3 Examine the media representation of an aspect of New Zealand culture or society 3 credits Internal 1.4 Demonstrate understanding of characteristics of a media genre 4 creditsExternal 2.4 Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media genre 4 creditsExternal 3.4 Examine a media genre 4 creditsExternal 1.5 Produce a design and plan for a media product using a specified range of conventions 3 creditsInternal 2.5 Produce a design and plan for a developed media product, using a range of conventions 4 creditsInternal 3.5 Produce a design for a complex media product 4 creditsInternal 1.6 Complete a media product using a specified range of conventions, from a design and plan 6 creditsInternal 2.6 Complete a developed media product using a range of conventions, from a design and plan 6 credits Internal 3.6 Complete a complex media product from a design 6 credits Internal 1.7 Demonstrate understanding of rules that govern the media in New Zealand 3 creditsInternal 2.7 Demonstrate understanding of an ethical issue in the media 3 credits Internal 3.7 Examine a current development in the media 3 Credits Internal 1.8 Write media texts for a specific target audience 3 Credits Internal 2.8 UNDER DEVELOPMENT 3.8 Writing a complex media text for a specific target audience 3 Credits Inte rnal

Media Studies and the Curriculum Media Studies grew from English and still appears to have close links with the subject Media Studies in the new curriculum actually comes under Social Sciences (no Achievement Objectives provided) Is it taught to assessment? Does Media Studies need its own subjecy curriculum?

The image of Media Studies There was no Bursary Media Studies paper, only Sixth Form Certificate -“Too often it is seen as trivial and undemanding” -Parents “knowing that it is the “high arts” – classical music and literature – that constitute cultural capital, choose to resist the use of school time on a study of popular culture” -“Unfortunately, unless Media Studies is treated as a subject suitable for the highest level of examination it does not have the cultural capital to attract the most able students” - Chris Watson (1996)

The image of Media Studies Some people still hold these old prejudices - Example from TP where Media Studies was used in place of ‘remedial’ English

What does this mean for English? Media Studies may take students away from English Can we still teach Media in English if Media Studies is a major subject If Media Studies continues to grow, will it replace English?

My Conclusions Students need to be given knowledge about the media and how it impacts their lives English (and other subjects) need to keep teaching Media topics, even if Media Studies continues to grow The prejudices against Media Studies are being overcome (as its popularity shows) Media Studies deserves more development in the Curriculum English and Media Studies are quite different and both should be enjoyed