Media…………..

Media Studies! I wonder exactly how many of my ex-pupils have made this choice when considering their “A-Level” courses…..

According to Wikipedia:

“Media studies is an academic discipline and field of study that deals with the content, history and effects of various media; in particular, the ‘mass media’. The subject varies greatly in theoretical and methodological focus, but may be broadly divided into three interrelated areas: the critique of artistic styles and aesthetic forms (genre, narrative, and so on), the study of the production process (e.g. technologies and markets), and sociological analysis (of ideological effects, reception and consumption, etc.).

Media studies draw on traditions from both the social sciences and the humanities, and overlap in interests with related disciplines like mass communication, communication, communication sciences and communication studies. Researchers develop and employ theories and methods from disciplines including cultural studies, rhetoric, philosophy, literary theory, psychology, political science, political economy, economics, sociology, anthropology, social theory, art history and criticism, film theory, and information theory.”

I was approached by a worried parent keen to put her child off the idea of “Media Studies”…. what to do? My mother had insisted that I study Physics if I was to study any science or leave school and get a job…how could I interfere with Mary’s choice? And yet…, I knew exactly what the parent wanted.

What did I do?

Well, I have a few contacts in the media: A studio manager/sound engineer at the BBC, someone who was involved with the organisation for the planned Michael Jackson O2 Concerts and a partner in a small  Production Company (Mark Pegg is an ex-pupil who says it’s my fault that he became an actor)….so I gave Mary their contact details and said,”Contact these people and ask to do some work experience in their organisations, or anywhere else thay can point you to. Mention my name.”  Then I contacted them, explained the situation and asked them to put her through her paces and explain just how hard it all is. I pointed out that if she didn’t contact them then it showed lack of “get up and go”.

I haven’t heard any results yet.

I am old enough to believe that a University Degree should be a thing of value, almost a rarity in fact. It should be an indication of  the highest level of academic education that there can be. Rigorous Academic Education is not suited to everyone and Media Studies is an area of study that is one of a class of courses that students see a) as an easy option or b) as leading  to fame and fortune. It should not be a) and as for b) , well the sort of fame that they seek is not gained by academic work and fortunes are made by only a few. There is no easy route.

Now, before anyone says anything…I do not have a degree, I did not pass enough A-Levels to go to University (Nottingham to read Pharmacy) I went to a College of Education (Teacher Training College) where I obtained a Certificate in Education blaa blaa (where blaa blaa represents the subject areas). This was in no way a preparation for teaching.

This post is not a case of sour grapes. It is stimulated by the lies told by politicians to our young people. The lies that go like this,” All young people deserve a university education because …(here it comes)… a degree means you will earn more.”

What do these stupid politicians do? They allow almost any institution to call them selves a University and to invent courses and subjects like Media Studies.

If I go through to the other room and look at anyone who is anyone in the British Media I will be lucky to find one with a degree in Media Studies… I might see an Irish comedian with a degree in Astronomy, or an opera producer who is a medical doctor but Media Studies…shakes head…I don’t think so.

This might well lead to another rant…I haven’t decided yet!