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Writing and Editing for Magazines (PUBL90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an overview of magazine writing, editing and publishing, with special emphasis on the skills needed to successfully produce magazines today. We examine how magazine editors conceive of audiences, and how they create print and digital magazines that serve the needs and desires of those audiences. Students will study how editors turn ideas into stories, and work with the magazine production team to give a story its final form. Students will learn how writers pitch ideas to editors, and to research and write magazine feature stories. We study the commercial aspects of magazine publishing – advertising, sales, marketing and promotion – and investigate innovative magazine business models in a time of great change and disruption in publishing. We examine how a magazine develops from concept to finished product, including launch proposal, project planning, scheduling and budgeting. Our focus is not solely on print, but on the magazine as a form that continues to evolve in response to social and technological change.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, the student should understand
- How magazine publishing works
- The magazine production process, in all its stages
- How to develop and pitch magazine story ideas
- How to research and write magazine feature stories
- Innovation in magazine publishing and its business models
- Necessary steps in the creation and launching of new magazines.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- 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
- Effective teamwork through group discussions and collaborative exercises
- Cultural and ethical understanding through reflection and rreading and practical experience of the editor's ethical responsibilities to both authors and readers
- Skills in information technology literacy and understanding of information management through participation in computer laboratory sessions and completion of exercises and assignments
- Skills in research, including the use of online as well as print-based materials in the course of exercises and assignments
- Skills in time management and planning through managing workloads for recommended reading, tutorial presentations and assessment requirements
- A capacity for critical analysis through engagement and critique of a range of publishing strategies.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
JOUR90001 | Researching/Writing Stories |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
JOUR90020 | International Journalism - Key Skills |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
MECM40011 | Writing for the Media | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MECM90024 | Strategic Content Creation |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PUBL90002 | Editorial English |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PUBL90006 | Writing and Editing for Digital Media |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Two feature story pitches and target magazine profile
| Week 6 | 20% |
Magazine feature story
| At end of non-teaching week | 40% |
Magazine launch plan (group assignment)
| Week 12 | 30% |
Workshop participation folio
| During the examination period | 10% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Matt Holden Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 1x2 hour workshop, taught weekly Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
122
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
Recommended texts and other resources
Baverstock, Bowen & Carey. 'How to Get A Job In Publishing', A&C Black, London: 2009.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of International Journalism Course Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing Course Master of Publishing and Communications Course Master of Journalism - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024