Americans may think of England as the home of the classics, but here are two items about the increasing presence of contemporary media in the British school curriculum.
Literature pushed out by media studies
By Sarah Cassidy
Increasing numbers of students are analysing soap operas and television commercials rather than studying classic novels, according to a report by the Government's exam watchdog.
Schools are abandoning English literature GCSE in favour of media studies, which is regarded by many as an easier option and which gives higher marks, the study by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority found.
Teenagers who traditionally took two English GCSEs - English and English literature - are now being encouraged to sit exams in English and media studies instead, concluded the report, Media Matters. The popularity of the media studies GCSE is still small in comparison with English literature's 576,000 candidates, but it is growing fast. The number of students taking it has risen by nearly one- third since its introduction in 1986. Nearly 40,000 students sat the exam last summer. (From the Independent, June 13, 2005)
Conference sinks teeth into Buffy's role in teaching
By Joanne Ginley
ACADEMICS from across the globe are set to descend on a West Yorkshire [England] university for a three-day conference looking at how TV cult hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be used to aid learning.
The conference will examine how people are influenced by popular culture and how the programme draws parallels with everyday life.
Academics at Huddersfield University's Department of Behavioural Sciences say the show, which first aired on TV in the late 1990s, can be used as a vital teaching aid, demonstrating issues such as a young, strong lead female character and even tackling a lesbian love affair.
Nigel King, a reader in psychology at Huddersfield University, says incorporating popular culture in teaching helps get a point across quickly. "TV is a massive force in our society and I think it would be wrong to ignore its impact," he said.
But last night news of the conference was attacked by York-based Campaign for Real Education. Chairman Nick Seaton said: "University academics should be concentrating on literature that has stood the test of time, rather than spending their time on trendy, modern TV programmes, no matter how popular. "It's very hard to see how it will benefit academic study."
But, such is the appeal of Buffy that the three-day conference (June 29 – July 1) has attracted academics, including specialists in media studies, philosophy and psychology, from as far afield as America, Canada and Europe. (From the Yorkshire Post, May 26, 2005)
