Advanced Magazine Editing and Publishing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject combines analysis of an industry at the crossroads, struggling to make new technology an opportunity rather than a threat. We scrutinise the editorial and commercial aspects of the magazine publishing business, examining closely how a magazine gets from initial concept to newsstand, including launch proposal, project planning, scheduling, budgeting, distribution, copytracking and producing guidelines for writers, freelancers, copy editors and designers. We also study the commercial aspects of magazine publishing - advertising sales, promotion and marketing. On successful completion of this subject you will have a good understanding of how to edit and publish magazines. You will also have the privilege of witnessing magazines come to grips with the iPad, e-readers and the internet.

Students who complete this subject will understand:

• the magazine process in all its stages, from idea to paper;
• how the magazine business works;
• current issues and strategies;
• how to take responsibility for editorial decisions and at the same time absorb constructive feedback from others;
• what roles comprise the magazine team; and
• what your own attributes best equip you for in the magazine publishing industry.

A subject reader will be available.

• Baverstock, Bowen & Carey. 'How to Get A Job In Publishing', A&C Black, London: 2009.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• have acquired high-level written and oral communication skills through contribution to class discussions, the completion of exercises and assignments, wide reading on issues of contemporary publishing processes, and exposure to the protocols of editorial practice;
• have a capacity for effective teamwork through group discussions and collaborative exercises;
• have acquired skills in cultural and ethical understanding through reflection and rreading and practical experience of the editor's ethical responsibilities to both authors and readers;
• have acquired skills in information technology literacy and understanding of information management through participation in computer laboratory sessions and completion of exercises and assignments;
• have acquired skills in research, including the use of online as well as print-based materials in the course of exercises and assignments;
• have acquired skills in time management and planning through managing workloads for recommended reading, tutorial presentations and assessment requirements; and
• have acquired a capacity for critical analysis through engagement and critique of a range of publishing strategies.