Media Studies

[Andy008]

why is media studies often looked at as a joke course?

[Sequin]

Because it mainly seems to involve watching telly and reading magazines?

[Loosehead]

Well it's not as bad as "sociology" but I suppose it's what people do when they can't do a proper degree

[ursula62]

Because people who haven't heard of the subject before assume all you have to do is watch telly to get an A level or degree. My nephew did Media studies for A level and he had to do quite a bit of real work, including making his own videos and publishing a newsletter.  And he hated having to watch Corrie and Eastenders and do a critique of the differences between the styles of the soaps. He said soaps were for old women!

[elleroo]

Loosehead have you ever done a media degree?

[k8tkoo]

I think some people (wrongly) believe that any course with "studies" in the title is an easy option. I can assure you this is not the case-when I did Media Studies at A-level about 4years ago it was almost the same as the English A level, just with extra work about TV, newspapers (media!) etc. No-one sees English as the easy option do they??!!!

[Scarlett]

I did a Media Studies degree, and believe me, it is NOT easy. I needed 3 A levels to get on the course- they asked me for ACD. Everyone on the course was bright and intellectual, and a little kooky too. We had to amalyse Tarkovsky films (in Russian, no subtitles) as well as make our own TV and Radio Programmes and films. Regarding the "joke course" bit, I had a total of 3 lectures about childrens TV which involved watching Danger Mouse and Blue Peter- that was light relier, indeed. Most of my friends from the course are now editing feature films, making TV programmes, working for record companies,presenting Radio or TV, Writing for magazines or even teaching. There are SO many Media jobs available now- and I have found my degree to be excellent. Just because it was fun as well doesn't mean it's not a proper degree.

[Scarlett]

...We also had to write lengthy dissertations every year. My final dissertation was all about Monty Python- Sex and Sexuality. It was not an easy option! If you went to the course saying you wanted to write about the latest Hollywood blockbuster, they would laugh you off the course!