Trevor Sargent
Question:267 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on introducing a subject of media studies into the second level curriculum. [23390/97]
Written Answers. - Media Studies.
Media studies is fully integrated into the junior certificate English syllabus. Students are given opportunities to study a variety of media forms including newspapers, advertising, magazines, films and radio and television programmes. Examinations at all three levels — higher, ordinary and foundation — contain full sections on media studies. Reports from the chief examiners indicate that media studies is one of the successes of the syllabus.
While media studies will not form a specific section in the new leaving certificate syllabus, the study of the various media will, in fact, form part of students' work. The syllabus states that "The experience of language in the media in all forms, visual, aural and print, needs to be recognised as a prime shaping agency of student's outlook".
In the leaving certificate applied one of the four modules in the English and communication course is entitled the communications media. This module provides opportunities for students to become aware of, and critically analyse the influence of mass media on their lives. The final examination for English and communication contains an audio-visual component.
Given the integration of media studies into existing and new syllabi, it is not the intention of my Department to introduce media studies as a separate subject in the second-level curriculum.