50302 Magazine Publishing

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Journalism
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50301 Editing and Publishing OR 57150 Editing and Design

Handbook description

This subject is an introduction to the magazine industry and develops advanced production and publication techniques within a critical examination of contemporary magazine publication practice at a local and global level. It builds on knowledge and skills developed in 50301 Editing and Publishing 1 and/or 57150 Editing and Design. A wide range of magazines are studied including mass market magazines, women's magazines, men's magazines, home-maker, style, specialist and niche market magazines. The subject develops learning about magazines through a field research project and presentation, and through group collaboration in planning, editing and production of a magazine. Students also examine the contexts in which magazine ventures are conceived, succeed and fail. Students are introduced to and participate in a range of roles relevant to the production of magazines and are involved in critically reflecting on their own production as well as the broader magazine market.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students are expected to have:

advanced knowledge of the magazine industry and market;
understanding of the processes involved in producing a magazine;
developed skills in selection and editing of material for publication in a magazine;
developed an appreciation of issues involved in design and layout of a magazine.

Contribution to graduate profile

Have a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
Have the skills to enter journalism professional practice
Have a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and strive, throughout their careers, to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public
Have an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
Have a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and be able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges
Have strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
Have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice

Teaching and learning strategies

These will include lectures and discussions, special on-location exercises and practical assignments.

Content

Magazine Publishing instructs students in the complex editorial roles of conceiving and constructing a magazine. All these learning experiences are brought to fruition through the planning, editing, laying out and proofing of a publication - Precinct.

As happens in every magazine, timetables are subject to change at the last minute. This timetable may be adjusted, in consultation with the editorial team, according to availability to copy and editorial support staff. However, in order to maintain a disciplined approach to getting the publication to the printer on time, every effort will be made to conform to it.

Please refer to this each week and do the readings in advance. The readings will form the basis of class discussions and relate to the theme of each class. Students may be asked at random to give their opinion of any of the articles to the rest of the class.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Story List

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	20%
Due	Week 3
Task	Students will thoroughly familiarise themselves with the greater Ultimo-Prymont precinct and draw up a list of story ideas for The Point, the community newspaper produced by Editing and Publishing 2. This task will involve meeting and engaging with residents, workers, visitors, community organisations, businesses, cultural institutions, education facilities, media houses, and entertainment organisations with the precinct. Or familiarise themselves with the publishing industry - authors, designers, illustrators, editors, agents, publishers, retailers, reviewers - in order to compile a list of story ideas for Book News, published for the Sydney Writers' Festival and distributed to leading bookstores. The aim of this task is for students to identify stories suitable for a target publication; to engage with people and organisations that are of interest to the target publication; to gain an insight into the editor's need for editorial material that is perfectly suited to the publication; to engage with potential contacts and readers.
Assessment criteria	Assessment criteria covers newsworthiness and variety of the suggested stories on story list (5%); the degree to which those stories demonstrate an understanding of the publication (5%); the degree to which those stories demonstrate imagination and social awareness (5%), and the degree to which students have researched back copies in search of follow-up stories (5%).

Assessment item 2: Magazine Analysis

Objectives	a
Value	30%
Due	At a time nominated by the lecturer
Task	Students will select a magazine (after consultation with the lecturer) and prepare a 20-minute class presentation on it using a variety of information sources - the chosen publication's editors, advertising and marketing staff, journalists and designers. The report should analyse the magazine from the point of view of journalism practices, audience, financial base, design and marketing. The report should not be a simple recitation of the above, it should be a discerning appraisal of the magazine's quality and include handouts, overheads, examples and a detailed summary of 800 words for the lecturer. It is intended that students ask and answer the following questions: Is the editorial well written? Does it appeal to the target market? Are the stories and ideas different, lively and provocative? Are the photographs and illustrations imaginative? Are the layouts engaging and suited to the magazine environment? Are the editorial layouts obviously different from the advertising pages? Are there any indications of collusion between the editorial department and advertising departments? What is the balance between editorial and advertising? Does the cover work well? This question-and-answer process should give students a greater understanding about the complexities of print publishing and production.
Assessment criteria	Students should achieve the following: demonstrated depth and detail of research; quality of interview with an editorial member of the chosen magazine; demonstrated understanding of the magazine's target market; variety and imaginative use of support material such as handouts and visuals.

Assessment item 3: Production of The Point or Book News:

Objectives	b, c, d
Value	50%
Due	Throughout semester
Task	Students will satisfactorily carry out a range of assigned duties including copy tasting work submitted from other journalism classes; selecting content; deciding on content placement; planning the grid; writing headings, stand-firsts, captions, pull-out quotes; checking copy; planning pages as a design brief for the production editor, and proof-reading pages. The aim of this task is for students to develop an cohesive overview of the elements that are involved in producing a successful publication; to determine editorial content and present it in a manner that reflects the values of the publication
Assessment criteria	Assessment criteria is focused on individual performance. However, editorial planning and production is a collaborative effort and students will be assessed on attendance in class, participation in editorial meetings, imaginative approach to identifying appropriate stories, photographs and illustrations, initiative in problem solving, adherence to journal style and deadlines, and the contribution they make to class discussions about the magazine industry.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

To be advised