Teaching Media Studies: Transitions From A-Level To Undergraduate Courses

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
in association with
THE MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION &
THE MEDIA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
presents
A HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMY DISCIPLINE WORKSHOP

Teaching Media Studies:
Transitions From A-Level To Undergraduate Courses  

28TH JUNE 11.30 – 5.30
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

Media Studies is expanding both in higher education and in schools. The number of universities offering Media Studies and related courses tripled between 1996 and 2009, while student numbers at A-level grew four-fold. This presents new opportunities and challenges for those who are teaching the subject. Until recently, universities could safely assume that only a minority of students would have studied the subject previously. This is no longer the case: recent HEA research suggested that almost 50% of students on Media Studies courses had taken the subject at A-level. Particularly in the first year of an undergraduate course, some students will be encountering material with which they are already very familiar, while others will be engaging with it for the first time. Lecturers may be unfamiliar with the requirements of A-level, while A-level teachers may know little about the nature of university courses.

This event aims to generate a dialogue between those teaching Media Studies and related subjects at A-level and at undergraduate level. It will focus on continuities, overlaps and differences between these two areas, in terms of both curriculum and teaching/learning styles, and their implications for the student experience.

Speakers will include:
Pete Fraser – A-level chief examiner
Sarah Barrow – Lincoln University
Jenny Grahame – English and Media Centre
Keith Perera – Advanced Skills Teacher and PGCE tutor, Sussex
Freddie Attenborough and Liz Stokoe – Loughborough University
Kate O’Riordan – Sussex University

Courtesy of the Higher Education Academy, attendance, lunch and refreshments are free. Places are limited, and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. To book, please e-mail Anne-Marie Joyce: A.Joyce@lboro.ac.uk.