Teaching Maltese history (1945-54) through caricatures and cartoons

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to evaluate political cartoons as a means of communication, and developmental education. The literature review in Chapter One analyses the role of mass media in the political system, while focusing on visual media and political cartoons in particular. It describes their language, function and impact on their audience and on politicians. The literature review and the interview "Rith a cartoonist in Chapter Two evaluate the use of political cartoons in the history classroom, as a primary source, teaching aid and educational tool in the development of historical skills. Chapter Two includes a model on how teachers can use cartoons with diverse pupil age and ability, based on the personal experience of the author. The literature review in Chapter Three provides the background knowledge of the historical period under study, enabling pupils to use cartoons of the same period, as educational sources. Question samples based on political cartoons deriving from the same period, are aimed at providing a practical example of how cartoons should be used for the historical enquiry performed in the history classroom. The last are enclosed in the Appendix.