Graduate Diploma in Publishing and Communications (Advanced)

This subject focuses on the structural editing of texts in a range of genres, including instructional, polemical, scholarly and narrative works. Students will learn how to analyse the reading practices characteristic of different genres, and will be given practical experience in editing texts to meet the requirements and expectations of various projected readerships. The subject will also familiarise students with protocols for effective author/editor communication and acquaint them with the ethical and legal responsibilities that govern editors' participation in the publishing process. On successfully completing this subject, students will have a sound grasp of strategies for appraising the rhetoric and structure of texts in a wide range of genres.

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This subject focuses on the key communication skill of editing. It introduces students to the linguistic conventions of editorial English, the use and interpretation of copyediting symbols, and the parameters of a variety of house styles. Students will also learn the principles and practice of editing on screen and the procedures required to ensure editorial transparency and accountability in an electronic environment. The subject offers an overview of the major components of the editing process, with an emphasis on editing for consistency and cohesion. On successfully completing this subject, students will have a sound grasp of the linguistic and procedural aspects of copy-editing.

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Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a placement in a professional working environment in conjunction with coursework intended to enhance their placement and their employability. The coursework component of the subject acts as preparation and additional support for the placement by conveying an understanding of organisations and operational aspects of organisations such as planning, communications, policy and equality in the workplace. The placement will give students direct exposure to professional practice in their chosen field, working under the guidance of a senior staff member with additional support from the subject coordinator. As well as taking part in the host organisation's day‐to‐day work, students will undertake fortnightly seminars and a research project of concrete and practical benefit to the host organisation or the broader industry. The students will have an opportunity to hear from industry professionals and receive feedback on their industry projects. Students seeking to undertake the research internship in their current place of employment must consult the subject coordinator.

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This subject provides an overview of the major factors affecting the local and global production, marketing and distribution of books, magazines and electronic publications. It considers the impact of political, social and economic conditions, technological changes, and changing industry practices. Students will gain a critical understanding of professional practices and current issues in various sectors of the industry in the context of global developments.

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This subject examines the elements of successful communication across a range of business and professional contexts. We take a practical approach to communication in all forms, and students will work both individually and in groups to apply the theoretical skills that we explore in seminars. Students will be introduced to the underlying principles of plain English and public speaking and given the opportunity to use these skills in practice. Using a variety of contemporary and relevant case-studies, this subject also introduces students to the full range of professional communications, including cross-cultural communications, crisis management and report writing. On successful completion of this subject, students will have developed a strong understanding of the core skills required for clear and effective communication, will have considered how these might be adapted across various professional scenarios including interpersonal communications, and will feel confident in their application across a range of workplaces.

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This subject teaches the writing and editing skills needed in the technical writing profession. The emphasis is on preparing instructional materials (also known as user documentation), both for printed and online delivery. Students will learn how to plan a documentation project, how to tailor writing for various audiences (local and international), how to write effective procedures, how to build subject-specific thesauri, and how to index and design documents.

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This subject introduces students to the principles and practices of writing and editing for digital media. It provides students with an understanding of and practical skills in writing for different online contexts and genres, including websites, online essays, multimedia stories, social media content, and search engine optimisation. Students will apply these skills using their existing disciplinary expertise to develop and creative contribute to platforms focused on their professional industries.

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This subject teaches students practical skills in creating documents using the industry-standard software, Adobe Indesign through practical workshops that take the student from beginner to intermediate skill levels. It also introduces students to the concepts and practice of print production and design, and outlines the underlying principles of publishing design and page layout, the characteristics of good typesetting, the interrelationship of images, space, colour and text and the importance of design briefs. Through reference to the history of printing, this subject will extend students’ understanding of the impact of changing technologies on typography, graphic design and production processes, enabling them to develop a critical awareness of trends in the field. A brief insight to some of the specific design and publishing challenges of ePublishing is also provided.

Please note: Students should subscribe to Adobe Indesign via Adobe Creative Cloud for the duration of the subject in order to be able to complete assignments out of class time.

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This subject addresses ethical issues and legal constraints related to working in the arts and culture sector, including publishing for print and digital media. It will review existing ethical codes and the mechanisms established to police them, as well as offering an overview of how practices are shaped by law relating to such matters as intellectual property, contracts, negligence, privacy, defamation and respect for cultural differences. On successfully completing this subject, students will have gained an understanding of a wide range of ethical and legal considerations for their professional practice.

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Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 5,000 words of written assessment. The project will be part of a larger team publishing project which is led by staff and based in the program’s teaching press.

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As the trade book market in all its forms continues to adapt to the impact of new technologies, this subject examines the resulting seismic changes, the fast-changing impacts of digital technologies on the publishing supply chain and the shifting strategic contribution of marketing to the publishing process. We study the changing structure of the market, including analysis of the changing role of publishers, wholesalers, bricks and mortar retailers (both specialist and non-specialist) and online providers on the supply side; and examine demographic, cultural and social factors influencing the structure of demand. We explore factors affecting the competitive environment, including the impact of digital technologies on the print supply chain and the interaction between old and new media. We use case studies to highlight the issues of market segmentation, branding and product placement. Assessment tasks focus on researching specific market segments and developing practical, commercially astute marketing strategies.

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This subject examines diverse understandings of audiences and introduces research approaches to investigating audience practices and patterns of consumption in a changing media landscape. It provides a detailed understanding of the different ways in which questions of media impact and audience power have been theorised, conceptualised and examined across the history of media research. Students will be encouraged to deepen their understanding of contemporary audience research methodologies from both administrative and critical points of views and to develop critical evaluation skills deployed in relation to these.

Approaches examined will include early media effects studies rooted in the behavioural paradigm, and sociological studies of public beliefs and opinion formation, as well as political economy of globalisation and its (re)construction of audiences and approaches inspired by cultural studies that explore audiences as culturally situated and as active sense makers. Students will consider different audiences, media and genres across the course and engage in focused study of selected audiences and processes of reception.

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This subject provides students with an advanced understanding of relevant theory and practice in contemporary public relations. Lectures will introduce case studies and practical accounts from industry professionals dealing with public relations functions including stakeholder relations, media relations, government relations, investor relations and issues/crisis management. This will be complemented with theoretical perspectives and examination of ethical considerations to situate the key issues and challenges of public relations in a global context.

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This subject encourages students to reflect on how journalism has changed over time and to consider what it might become in the future. It examines the emergence of what we now call ‘journalism’ and looks at the technological, political and economic issues that shaped its development. Students will engage with key theorists and formulate their own informed opinions about the rise of news, the nature of journalistic objectivity, the relationship between journalism and democracy, and the threat (or promise) of Artificial Intelligence.

From the emergence of citizen journalism and the struggle for diverse journalistic representation to the nature of combat reporting and the rise of social media, the subject links historical debates with the controversies of today – and invites students to think about the journalism of tomorrow.

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