A Level Media Studies Eduqas Theories

• Media Language - Narratology, Tzvetan Todorov


  All narratives share a basic structure, moving from one equilibrium to another. These two states of equilibrium are separated by disruption or imbalance.The way that narratives resolve can have ideological significance.
• Media Language - Semiotics, Roland Barthes


  Texts communicate their ideas through signification, Signs function at a literal level (signifier, denotation) as well as a figurative level (signified, connotation). Exposure to certain symbolic constructions can become self-evident, as the sign becomes a myth through naturalisation.
• Media Language - Genre Theory, Steve Neale

  Genres are dominated by repetition of codes and conventions but must also incorporate differences, variation and change. Genres change as they borrow from and overlap with each other (hybridity and subgenres). Genres exist within specific economic, institutional and industrial contexts.
• Media Language - Structuralism, Claude Lévi-Strauss

  Texts can be understood through an analysis of their underlying structure. Meaning is often produced through oppositional pairs (e.g. good v. evil). The resolution of these binary opposites can have ideological significance.
• Media Language - Postmodernism, Jean Baudrillard


  The boundaries between the “real” and “mediated” worlds have collapsed. Signs are a process of signification with no signifier underlying them; they no longer refer to anything “real” or “literal”. Mediated images now seem more “real” than the reality they supposedly represent (hyperreality).
• Industry - Power and Media Industries Theory, James Curran and Jean Seaton

  Media is controlled by a small number of companies primarily concerned with gaining profit and power. Media concentration typically inhibits or limits variety, creativity and quality. Socially diverse patterns of ownership help to create conditions for more varied and adventurous media products.
• Industry - Regulation Theory, Sonia Livingstone and Peter Lunt

  There is an underlying struggle between the need to further the interests of citizens (protection from harmful material) and the interests of consumers (choice, value, competition).The rise of media conglomerations and the emerging production, distribution and marketing of digital media have placed traditional approach- es to media regulation at risk.
• Industry - Cultural Industries Theory, David Hesmondhalgh


  Media companies try to minimise risk and maximise audiences through vertical and horizontal integration and through the form of their media/cultural products (through genre, serial format and by including stars). The largest companies and conglomerates now operate across a number of media industries.