TGt Meets...Emma Pleasants, Programme Leader of Media Studies at New College

Say hello to our newest TGt Meets...Emma Pleasants, the programme leader of media studies at New College. We discovered exactly what inspired Emma to become a teacher and why she loves teaching at one of Swindon's premier colleges!

What three words would you use to describe yourself…

Organised, Creative and Enthusiastic

Why did you choose to become a teacher?

I chose to become a teacher whilst I was at college, I was inspired by my Film and English A-Level teachers. They were so passionate about the subject they taught, it made me want to learn more about it. I decided I wanted to do that for other people. I’ve always had a passion for Media and Film studies, and now I get to share that passion with students every day. The best part of my job is discussing Media with students, hearing different ideas and perspectives on the same advert or film poster really shows how diverse our society is and how different opinions help develop our understanding of the world around us.

What is your favourite part of the curriculum?

My favourite part of the curriculum is the coursework module. After learning about the key theories in Media Studies and how they can be applied to pre-existing texts the students get a chance to flex their creativity and make their own music video and magazine. They always astound me with the quality of their work and the creativity behind their narratives and ideas. We’ve had everything from romance stories, to heists, stories about loss and even more conceptual pieces about identity and belonging. It’s a great way for the students to develop their creative skills and experiment with new technology at the same time. Some students have even been nominated and won national awards for their work!

Who is the course most suited to?

The great thing about Media Studies is that anyone can access it. If you have an interest in film, television, social media, marketing or any other type of media the chances are that we will study it at some point during the course. The course is quite analytical; I describe it as English Literature, but without the books. We approach things in a logical way and make sure everyone is up to speed with theory before we move on to the next text to study. If you enjoy discussing your opinions, learning how different industries work and how the media communicates to us as a whole what have you got to lose?

How does this course help individuals for the future?

The creative industries are one of the fastest growing in the UK, employing more than 2 million people. Media Studies teaches you how these industries operate but also gives you some practical experience to begin your career. If you’re not looking for a job in the creative industries, Media Studies has a number of transferrable skills that help with future employment or higher education. You’ll learn to organise your time effectively, analyse a wide variety of sources, structure a compelling written argument as well as practical skills like editing photographs and video. Importantly you’ll also develop a deeper understanding of the media we consume on a day to day basis, our world has become media saturated so understanding what is being communicated to us, and how it is being done has never been more important.

What are some of the key modules within this course?

The course is split into 3 modules which are covered over 2 years of study. Components 1 and 2 are exam units each worth 35% of your final grade, while component 3 is the coursework unit.

Component 1 takes a more general look at media texts. During this module you’ll study a wide range of media including print and television adverts, video games, radio, film posters and the film industry, music videos and more. This is where you’ll learn the basics of media theory and how to use this theory to analyse your set texts as well as a few unseen ones.

Component 2 looks at 6 texts in much more detail. You will study 2 television shows (Life on Mars and The Bridge), 2 magazines (Woman’s Realm and Huck) and 2 online texts (Zoella and Attitude.co.uk). For each of these texts you will look at how characters are represented, how these representations are constructed through media language, how international and national audiences are attracted to these texts and how these texts are produced, funded and marketed to individuals.

Component 3 allows you to be a little more creative. You’ll be given the opportunity to create a music video and accompanying magazine for a song in any genre of your choice. There are a few criteria provided by the exam board that you have to meet, but overall the choice is yours.

What the 3 things do you love the most about teaching at New College?

My favourite thing about teaching at New College is the students. We have such a diverse mix of opinions and personalities in the college, it’s always a joy to come into my classroom and teach.

Secondly, I love the amount of equipment we have as a department. We are very lucky to work alongside the Vocational Media team which allows us to use professional quality kit for our productions. We have access to green screens, professional quality gimbals and studio backdrops. It’s incredibly exciting teaching the students how to use these pieces and see the creative shots they come up with.

Thirdly, I love the staff I work with. Everyone in the Media department is passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated to ensuring we get the best out of our students. It’s a great team to work in with some brilliant teachers and excellent personalities. I couldn’t imagine doing my job without them.

Find out more about New College HERE!