Course at a glance
Introduction
This course is designed to provide an sound theoretical and practical introduction to the complex and wide ranging subject of Media Studies. It will prepare the student for continuing studies at a higher level in Media Studies and also range of other subjects. It will be of interest to students who aim for a career in traditional media as journalist or in the marketing arena. A particular feature of the subject is the wide range of influences and techniques it draws upon. From Art to Anthropology and from Economics to Psychology, this subject borrows from them all and makes sense of the world around us.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Course Content
There are ten modules within this course. They combined to cover the broad range of subjects which comprises Media Studies today. The recommended time of study for each unit is 20 hours.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 1: Media History
This unit examines the changes in the media from the birth of Media Studies as an academic discipline in the ’60s to the immediate and overwhelming newsfeeds of present day. We will look at how businesses, politicians, pressure groups and technology has shaped the media we see around us. From the McCarthy anti-communist propaganda of the US and the stand against permissiveness in 70s UK to Twitter and 24 hour News. We will define how and what we will study throughout the rest of the course and look to the future of media and how it may grow and develop.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 2: Media Ethics
We now examine the ethical issues relating to the media. Looking at ownership of large swathes of popular media by a few individuals, censorship (or lack of it), regulation and deregulation. “In the public interest” is a term widely used in the UK to justify practices which some may see as unethical – but who chooses?
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 3: Media and Television
Despite the rise of online and mobile communication, the television is still by far the largest media platform in the developed world. Its influence on individuals, families and communities is tremendous. Revenues from marketing and advertising run into billions. We look in this unit at television in the US, UK and other countries. Paying particular interest on the young viewers as they become a major source of revenue for the future.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 4: Audio Production
A famous anecdote quotes someone as answering why they preferred Radio to Television “Because the pictures are better”. The power of audio production cannot be underestimated; not just radio but film and animation, commercial production, software, games and more. We will look at the influence new technological developments are having on the sounds that accompany and describe the world around us.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 5: Photography and Typography
We now turn to verbal and non-verbal communication. The specifics and history of typography, designing to get the message across. Using photographic images to inform and misinform. We will look at the popular tools of Infographics and data presentation.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 6: Mass Communication
This unit deals focuses on the process of mass communication. Specifically it introduces students to the theoretical components of the mass communication process. It also addresses the social and cultural role of mass media, as well as the influence of economics and government on the media.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 7: Journalism
This unit looks at the process of being a Journalist. This can be thought of as a set of discrete steps: Planning, Research, Processing and Presenting information. This process is tempered by external influences: the employer may have deadlines or legal processes themselves. There may be issues of reliability of sources, ethical issues surrounding accountability and harm to others. Journalists find themselves in difficult situations and often face dilemmas ordinary bystanders do not.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 8: New Media Development
The emergence of the personal computer in the 80s and 90s has led to a branch called “New Media”. This is primarily, but not solely digital. It is not necessarily internet based, but has at its core the idea of the immediacy and sharing that this expansion opened up. We will look at important researchers and experimental artists and creators and consider the future of media with new technologies.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 9: Media and Web Design
Sitting firmly between “New Media” and “Global Media”, Media and Web Design this unit looks at the importance of the World Wide Web in changing the way messages, news and information in general are communicated. We will look at design of web pages and how this has effected media growth in recent years.
Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma Unit 10: Global Media
In this module we will examine how the spread of information and the ease in which it can be communicated around the globe has created a division. The power of businesses and governments spreading out throughout the globe, sending their economic and cultural messages far and wide. In opposition, individuals and small local groups now have a voice which can be heard far and wide.
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Media Studies Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
