First and second year A level Media students took part in an 80s themed TV Drama Study Day, which focused on Stranger Things, one of the set texts students analyse for their second year exam.
Course Leader for Media Studies, Jodie Freeman and Guidance Director and teacher of Media Studies, Nicola Naisbett, organised the day in collaboration with Sunderland University. QE’s Main Hall was transformed into a shrine to the 1980s, the time period in which Stranger Things is set, to immerse students into what life in the 80s was like. An important aspect of this exam topic is the social, political and historical contexts of the TV products and how these come to bear on the production of 80s-set shows, so it was a fun way to experience the decade, but from a modern perspective.
Senior Lecturers from Sunderland University, John Paul Green and Rob Jewitt delivered fascinating talks on themes such as identity, gender, production contexts and intertextuality to enhance students’ understanding of Stranger Things and other Netflix dramas.
Students benefitted hugely from the day who felt it was a fresh and exciting way to bring the learning to life commented Jodie Freeman, Course Leader for Media Studies.
Faye Plews, student commented: ‘Lectures were very informative and the application of different theorists was very helpful’.
Nicola Naisbett, Guidance Director and teacher of Media Studies also added The day was a brilliant way to immerse students in the contextual study of the 1980’s. Students explored a wide range of challenging topics and cultural theory. The lectures were interactive and highly engaging, and students took so much from this invaluable event.
