In Years 11 and 12 students may select from a course in either Media Production and Analysis (MPA) (General) or MPA (ATAR). General MPA is a more practical course, while MPA (ATAR) courses are more demanding and lead to university entrance. Central to all MPA courses is the concept of culture impacting on the creation, appeal and interpretation of media productions. Students produce music video clips, print magazines, TV news and current affairs, documentaries and art/cult style films. For more information on the courses please visit the School Curriculum and Standards Authority page.
Unit 1 - Mass Media
The focus for this course is mass media. Within this broad focus, students reflect on their own use of the media, common representations, including the examination of characters, stars and stereotypes and the way media is constructed and produced.
Students are introduced to the languages of the media, learning how codes and conventions are used to construct representations within narratives. They examine the media that surrounds them and consider how audiences interpret media representations of people and their associated values.
Students analyse, view, listen to and interact with common media work from their everyday use. They also generate ideas and, with the assistance of their teachers, learn the basic production skills and processes as they apply their knowledge and creativity in their productions.
Unit 2 - Point of View
The focus for this course is an introduction to point of view, a concept that underpins the construction of all media work. In this unit, students will be introduced to the concept and learn how a point of view can be constructed. They will analyse media work and construct a point of view in their own productions.
Within this broad focus, students have the opportunity to choose from a range of media genres and styles and examine ways in which information and specific codes, conventions and techniques are selected and used to present a particular point of view.
In contexts related to point of view, students analyse, view, listen to and interact with media work in commercial and non‐commercial media. They learn about production processes and some of the controls that influence decision making in media production. Students develop strategies and production skills when creating their own media work.
Unit 1 - Popular Culture
The focus for this course is popular culture. This focus involves identifying what is meant by 'popular' culture and considering the types of media, ideas and audiences from which popular culture evolves. Students analyse, view, listen to and interact with a range of popular media, develop their own ideas, learn production skills and apply their understandings and skills in creating their own productions.
There are many aspects of popular culture that can be used to provide students with interesting and relevant learning contexts, and an opportunity to explore how audiences consume popular media. Teachers should select learning contexts that are familiar to students or provide stimulation and new experiences.
In contexts related to popular culture, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of popular media work, and learn how to interpret the meanings created by codes and conventions.
Students develop production and analytical skills and apply their understanding of media languages and audiences while learning about and working in specific production contexts.
Unit 2 - Journalism
The focus for this course is journalism. In this unit students will further their understanding of journalistic media. The breadth of this focus allows teachers to choose learning contexts that are of contemporary relevance and related to students' interests.
In contexts related to journalism students analyse, view, listen to and interact with a range of journalistic genres and they undertake more extensive research into the representation and reporting of groups and issues within media work. They draw on knowledge when developing ideas for their own productions.
Students extend their understanding of production practices and responsibilities. They become increasingly independent as they manipulate technologies and techniques to express their ideas in their productions.
Unit 3 - Entertainment
The focus for this course is entertainment. Within this broad focus, students will expand their understanding of media languages, learning how codes and conventions are used to construct entertainment media.
They examine the process of representation and the way values are constructed in media work. Students consider how the experiences of audiences influence their responses to media and how media work is shaped by the production context and through the production process.
Students analyse, view, listen to and interact with interesting and relevant media work. They also generate ideas and learn production skills and processes as they apply their knowledge and creativity in their productions.
Unit 4 - Representation and Reality
The focus for this course is representation and reality. Representation is the act of re‐presenting or constructing identities, places or ideas based on shared values and understandings. Students will consider different types of representations and how they relate to the construction of reality within media work.
Within this broad focus, students have the opportunity to choose from a range of media genres and styles and examine ways in which codes, conventions and techniques are used to dramatise and re‐present reality while at the same time engaging and informing audiences.
In contexts related to representation and reality, students analyse, view, listen and interact with a variety of media work. They learn about production controls, constraints and responsibilities. Students continue to develop strategies and production skills when creating their own media work.
Unit 3 - Media Art
The focus for this course is media art forms. This unit provides the opportunity for students to explore and select from a range of media art and develop their understanding of media aesthetics. Media aesthetics in the context of this unit is the study of the emotional and intellectual response brought about by the way the techniques, codes and conventions that create the artistic quality of the media work have been applied.
Students analyse, view, listen to and interact with contemporary and traditional examples of media art, identifying techniques and themes, meanings that are created and audiences' interpretations. They consider the representation of values and technological developments that influence perceptions of art within media work.
Students are encouraged to experiment with technologies, structures, codes and conventions to express their ideas and creativity. They have the opportunity to extend their production skills and processes and the emergence of personal style.
Unit 4 - Power and Persuasion
The focus for this unit is power and persuasion, which includes the influential nature of media used as a form of propaganda and political persuasion.
Through this broad focus, students extend their understanding of persuasive media, examining the way the media is able to reflect, challenge and shape values and attitudes. They critically analyse, view, listen to, and interact with a range of media work, considering the purposes and values of producers and audiences.
Students synthesise a range of ideas, skills and processes to create their own media productions that express their views.
