Y11Gen S1 - Mass Media

The focus for this unit is on the mass media.  Within this broad focus, students reflect on their own use of the media, common representations, including the examination of characters, stars and stereotypes and the way media is constructed and produced.

Students are introduced to the languages of the media, learning how codes and conventions are used to construct representations within narratives. They examine the media that surrounds them and consider how audiences interpret media representations of people and their associated values.

Students analyse, view, listen to and interact with common media work from their everyday use. They also generate ideas and, with the assistance of their teachers, learn the basic production skills and processes as they apply their knowledge and creativity in their productions.

Mass media refers to the means of communication that reach a large audience through mass communication technologies, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet.

What will our context be? It probably makes sense to look at the history of mass communication in theory, then create something contemporary; such as the kind of content you might find online.  Start thinking about the kind of content you consume, and brainstorm how you might be able to produce some of your own for online publication.

Unit content

This unit includes the knowledge, understandings and skills described below.

Media languages

System of communication

• introduction to key terminology; codes and conventions and technologies

• purposes and characteristics of familiar media work

• typical viewing, listening and interacting contexts

• introduction to the basic communication model

Narrative, codes and conventions

• narrative elements; character, setting, conflict, resolution

• common codes and conventions and the meanings they construct

• features of popular genres

Representation

• stars and heroes and the values they represent

• how stereotypical representations are constructed using codes and conventions

Audience

Audiences

• making links between media work and own context

• constructing a basic audience profile

• values in representations and how they connect to audience values

Subcultures

• identifying subcultures

Media trends

• changes within traditional media genres

• how audiences interact with new media

Production

Major institutions and independents

• purposes of mass media

• production formats and genre

• measuring audience use

Production contexts

• linking media work to audience

• classifying media work to meet regulated standards

• controls and constraints in media production

Skills and processes

• collecting information for a specific task

• awareness of safety when using technologies and resources

• applying team skills; specific role responsibilities and setting timelines

• following a clear production process using basic technical skills and processes, basic scripts, storyboards

and layouts

• reflecting on the progress of the production

• evaluating strengths and weaknesses in the production