MATSEC SEC Media Literacy Education study plan

Identify and define the key concepts of media texts, genres and conventions (e.g., denotation, connotation, genre, narrative, mise-en-scène) using a glossary of at least 20 terms.

Analyse three different media texts (e.g., a news article, a film trailer, an advertisement) to identify their genre conventions and explain how they create meaning.

Explain the concept of representation and its key elements (e.g., stereotypes, selectivity, mediation) with reference to at least two examples from different media forms.

Compare how two different media texts represent the same social group or issue, noting similarities and differences in their construction.

Deconstruct the narrative structure of a media text (e.g., Todorov, Propp, or linear/non-linear) and explain how it shapes audience understanding.

Evaluate how ideological messages (e.g., dominant, oppositional, negotiated) are embedded in media texts through selection, omission, and framing.

Apply semiotic analysis (signs, signifiers, signifieds) to a media text to uncover underlying meanings and ideological assumptions.

Critique the use of stereotypes in media representation, discussing their social impact and ethical implications.

Map the media landscape in Malta (e.g., major broadcasters, newspapers, online outlets) and identify their ownership structures and funding models.

Explain the role of regulatory bodies (e.g., Broadcasting Authority, PBS, Malta Communications Authority) and key legislation (e.g., Media and Defamation Act, GDPR) affecting media in Malta.

Distinguish between different types of media regulation (statutory, self-regulation, co-regulation) and evaluate their effectiveness.

Apply ethical principles (e.g., accuracy, fairness, privacy, harm) to a case study of a media controversy, identifying potential breaches and justifications.

Compare key audience theories (e.g., hypodermic needle, uses and gratifications, reception theory, cultivation) and explain their implications for media effects.

Design a small-scale audience reception study (e.g., a short survey or interviews with 5–10 people) to explore how different audiences interpret a media text.

Define misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, and identify common techniques used to spread false information (e.g., clickbait, fake accounts, manipulated images).

Apply fact-checking strategies (e.g., lateral reading, reverse image search, source verification) to evaluate the credibility of two online news stories.

Explain how algorithms and recommendation systems shape the content users see on social media and search engines, and discuss the concept of filter bubbles and echo chambers.

Analyse how personal data is collected and used by digital platforms, and evaluate the implications for privacy and autonomy.

Deconstruct the persuasive techniques used in advertising (e.g., emotional appeal, celebrity endorsement, scarcity) and explain how they target specific audiences.

Critique the role of targeted advertising and native advertising in blurring the lines between content and commerce.

Plan and produce a short media product (e.g., a 2-minute video, a podcast segment, or a photo essay) that communicates a news story or social issue, applying genre conventions and production techniques.

Apply principles of responsible journalism (accuracy, fairness, verification) in the production process, documenting sources and fact-checking steps.

Write a critical reflection on your production choices, explaining how you used media language to convey meaning and engage your target audience.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your product in conveying the intended message, using feedback from peers or target audience members.

Synthesise knowledge of media institutions, ownership, and regulation by analysing how a specific media organisation balances commercial pressures with public service obligations.

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different audience research methods (e.g., ratings, surveys, focus groups) in understanding media effects.

Apply legal and ethical principles to a hypothetical scenario involving user-generated content and copyright, proposing a course of action.

Debate the role of media literacy in empowering audiences to navigate contemporary media challenges.

Review and consolidate key concepts from all domains, creating a concept map that links texts, institutions, audiences, representation, news literacy, digital media, and advertising.

Practise exam-style questions under timed conditions, applying analytical frameworks and terminology accurately.

Identify personal areas of weakness and create a targeted revision plan for the final week before the exam.

Complete a full mock exam (or equivalent) and self-assess using mark schemes or model answers.