Master of Publishing and Communications

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with the skills to critically evaluate and produce advanced journalistic texts. Students will familiarise themselves with techniques in news selection, researching, interviewing, writing and editing. Students will also reflect on issues of fairness and objectivity, diversity, ideological framing as well as ethical and legal codes of conduct. On completion of this subject, students will have developed advanced skills in print and online writing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the history of the book and its relationship to changing reading practices. It will focus specifically on the changing technologies and aesthetics of book production, the relationships between reading and other cultural practices, the changing roles of publishers, booksellers and authors, the evolution of libraries as repositories and gatekeepers of approved knowledge, and the role of government in establishing a legislative framework to regulate the book trade.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Rhetoric is a skill to effectively inform, inspire and convince an audience through the use of language and imagery. Today, we most often see it used by advertisers, journalists and politicians to shape our views of products, policies and contemporary social issues. To be able to use rhetoric effectively - and to recognize when it is abused - is a most powerful skill for media professionals. This subject enhances students’ media and communication skills by developing their rhetoric skills in speaking and writing. Students will learn to identify and examine the persuasive techniques employed in various media genres before applying them in their own text production. Through in-class simulations, students will experience authentic industry practice in working in an advertising agency, as a freelancer and editor of a major news organisation, and as a professional speechwriter. Students will be exposed to different scenarios and tasks to develop the vital skills needed for their future professional careers. Subject material will help students discuss and challenge diverse points of views, critically evaluate opinions and arguments, identify and apply rhetorical techniques, and develop and deliver conclusive arguments across key media genres. Students will also learn essential strategies for planning, researching, and editing their work as well as that of others. All these skills will help students become more effective communicators and prepare for their future careers.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social enterprises are businesses that exist with the specific purpose of solving social and/or environmental problems through trade. These enterprises merge the best features of business and the non-profit sector to create innovative solutions that address both social and market gaps. Within these enterprises, success is thus measured in social and/or environmental terms, in addition to financial sustainability.

This multidisciplinary subject equips students with a critical understanding of social entrepreneurship, and provides them with a practical opportunity to develop their own start-up social enterprise. Groups will be formed according to personal interest and students will work in small project teams to conceptualise, develop and pitch a viable social enterprise initiative. Students are also expected to test their idea in the marketplace in real time, for example, liaise with external organisations to receive feedback on your product/service and/or develop a minimal viable product that can be showcased.

To support the development of ideas, the subject draws from case studies and guests speakers from the Victorian start-up ecosystem that share their personal experiences and advice as successful social entrepreneurs. Students will also have the opportunity to receive direct support on their idea during a feedback salon with academics, business leaders and social enterprise practitioners.

Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of social enterprise in contemporary society and the practical requirements for developing sustainable social enterprise projects. The subject also uniquely provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world solutions in real time.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the history of the book and its relationship to changing reading practices. It will focus specifically on the changing technologies and aesthetics of book production, the relationships between reading and other cultural practices, the changing roles of publishers, booksellers and authors, the evolution of libraries as repositories and gatekeepers of approved knowledge, and the role of government in establishing a legislative framework to regulate the book trade.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to advanced aspects of writing and editing for digital media through the creation of a digital project with an industry partner. It focuses on the strategic and creative decision-making of editorial practice and digital storytelling. Working within the creative and cultural industries, students will explore multi-platformed editorial approaches; principles of workflow, budgeting, and monetisation; digital software for authoring, editing, and content management; and the creation of text, audio, and video for the internet. Students will gain a practical understanding of industry standards, develop new digital literacies through the creation of a multi-platform project, and the systems, trends and technological developments taking place in the digital media industries.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

A research topic selected in consultation with the supervisor. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Refer to PUBL90022 Publishing and Communications Thesis Part 1 for details.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to research skills for students planning, researching and writing a thesis in the School of Culture and Communication. Research Principles and Practices Graduate explores traditional and contemporary research practices and the differing methodological approaches guiding research practices in the School of Culture and Communication. It explores key research principles and practices including: defining an academic field, establishing a research question, identifying key words and key texts, developing a literature review, preparing and presenting a research proposal. Research Principles and Practices Graduate provides students with specific research methodologies and academic practices that will facilitate their research projects. It will also provide information about copyright, ethics and the conduct of ethical research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with the skills to critically evaluate and produce advanced journalistic texts. Students will familiarise themselves with techniques in news selection, researching, interviewing, writing and editing. Students will also reflect on issues of fairness and objectivity, diversity, ideological framing as well as ethical and legal codes of conduct. On completion of this subject, students will have developed advanced skills in print and online writing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Rhetoric is a skill to effectively inform, inspire and convince an audience through the use of language and imagery. Today, we most often see it used by advertisers, journalists and politicians to shape our views of products, policies and contemporary social issues. To be able to use rhetoric effectively - and to recognize when it is abused - is a most powerful skill for media professionals. This subject enhances students’ media and communication skills by developing their rhetoric skills in speaking and writing. Students will learn to identify and examine the persuasive techniques employed in various media genres before applying them in their own text production. Through in-class simulations, students will experience authentic industry practice in working in an advertising agency, as a freelancer and editor of a major news organisation, and as a professional speechwriter. Students will be exposed to different scenarios and tasks to develop the vital skills needed for their future professional careers. Subject material will help students discuss and challenge diverse points of views, critically evaluate opinions and arguments, identify and apply rhetorical techniques, and develop and deliver conclusive arguments across key media genres. Students will also learn essential strategies for planning, researching, and editing their work as well as that of others. All these skills will help students become more effective communicators and prepare for their future careers.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social enterprises are businesses that exist with the specific purpose of solving social and/or environmental problems through trade. These enterprises merge the best features of business and the non-profit sector to create innovative solutions that address both social and market gaps. Within these enterprises, success is thus measured in social and/or environmental terms, in addition to financial sustainability.

This multidisciplinary subject equips students with a critical understanding of social entrepreneurship, and provides them with a practical opportunity to develop their own start-up social enterprise. Groups will be formed according to personal interest and students will work in small project teams to conceptualise, develop and pitch a viable social enterprise initiative. Students are also expected to test their idea in the marketplace in real time, for example, liaise with external organisations to receive feedback on your product/service and/or develop a minimal viable product that can be showcased.

To support the development of ideas, the subject draws from case studies and guests speakers from the Victorian start-up ecosystem that share their personal experiences and advice as successful social entrepreneurs. Students will also have the opportunity to receive direct support on their idea during a feedback salon with academics, business leaders and social enterprise practitioners.

Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of social enterprise in contemporary society and the practical requirements for developing sustainable social enterprise projects. The subject also uniquely provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world solutions in real time.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the history of the book and its relationship to changing reading practices. It will focus specifically on the changing technologies and aesthetics of book production, the relationships between reading and other cultural practices, the changing roles of publishers, booksellers and authors, the evolution of libraries as repositories and gatekeepers of approved knowledge, and the role of government in establishing a legislative framework to regulate the book trade.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to advanced aspects of writing and editing for digital media through the creation of a digital project with an industry partner. It focuses on the strategic and creative decision-making of editorial practice and digital storytelling. Working within the creative and cultural industries, students will explore multi-platformed editorial approaches; principles of workflow, budgeting, and monetisation; digital software for authoring, editing, and content management; and the creation of text, audio, and video for the internet. Students will gain a practical understanding of industry standards, develop new digital literacies through the creation of a multi-platform project, and the systems, trends and technological developments taking place in the digital media industries.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

A research topic selected in consultation with the supervisor. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Refer to PUBL90022 Publishing and Communications Thesis Part 1 for details.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to research skills for students planning, researching and writing a thesis in the School of Culture and Communication. Research Principles and Practices Graduate explores traditional and contemporary research practices and the differing methodological approaches guiding research practices in the School of Culture and Communication. It explores key research principles and practices including: defining an academic field, establishing a research question, identifying key words and key texts, developing a literature review, preparing and presenting a research proposal. Research Principles and Practices Graduate provides students with specific research methodologies and academic practices that will facilitate their research projects. It will also provide information about copyright, ethics and the conduct of ethical research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Rhetoric is a skill to effectively inform, inspire and convince an audience through the use of language and imagery. Today, we most often see it used by advertisers, journalists and politicians to shape our views of products, policies and contemporary social issues. To be able to use rhetoric effectively - and to recognize when it is abused - is a most powerful skill for media professionals. This subject enhances students’ media and communication skills by developing their rhetoric skills in speaking and writing. Students will learn to identify and examine the persuasive techniques employed in various media genres before applying them in their own text production. Through in-class simulations, students will experience authentic industry practice in working in an advertising agency, as a freelancer and editor of a major news organisation, and as a professional speechwriter. Students will be exposed to different scenarios and tasks to develop the vital skills needed for their future professional careers. Subject material will help students discuss and challenge diverse points of views, critically evaluate opinions and arguments, identify and apply rhetorical techniques, and develop and deliver conclusive arguments across key media genres. Students will also learn essential strategies for planning, researching, and editing their work as well as that of others. All these skills will help students become more effective communicators and prepare for their future careers.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Students enrolled in this subject will be assisted to find a placement in a professional working environment. They will work under the guidance of a senior staff member, with additional support from the subject coordinator. The placement will enable students to apply in a practical environment skills developed in their other coursework units. Students will thus gain direct exposure to professional practice in their chosen field. The internship may be undertaken as a practicum at the students' workplace if appropriate.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social enterprises are businesses that exist with the specific purpose of solving social and/or environmental problems through trade. These enterprises merge the best features of business and the non-profit sector to create innovative solutions that address both social and market gaps. Within these enterprises, success is thus measured in social and/or environmental terms, in addition to financial sustainability.

This multidisciplinary subject equips students with a critical understanding of social entrepreneurship, and provides them with a practical opportunity to develop their own start-up social enterprise. Groups will be formed according to personal interest and students will work in small project teams to conceptualise, develop and pitch a viable social enterprise initiative. Students are also expected to test their idea in the marketplace in real time, for example, liaise with external organisations to receive feedback on your product/service and/or develop a minimal viable product that can be showcased.

To support the development of ideas, the subject draws from case studies and guests speakers from the Victorian start-up ecosystem that share their personal experiences and advice as successful social entrepreneurs. Students will also have the opportunity to receive direct support on their idea during a feedback salon with academics, business leaders and social enterprise practitioners.

Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of social enterprise in contemporary society and the practical requirements for developing sustainable social enterprise projects. The subject also uniquely provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world solutions in real time.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the history of the book and its relationship to changing reading practices. It will focus specifically on the changing technologies and aesthetics of book production, the relationships between reading and other cultural practices, the changing roles of publishers, booksellers and authors, the evolution of libraries as repositories and gatekeepers of approved knowledge, and the role of government in establishing a legislative framework to regulate the book trade.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to advanced aspects of writing and editing for digital media through the creation of a digital project with an industry partner. It focuses on the strategic and creative decision-making of editorial practice and digital storytelling. Working within the creative and cultural industries, students will explore multi-platformed editorial approaches; principles of workflow, budgeting, and monetisation; digital software for authoring, editing, and content management; and the creation of text, audio, and video for the internet. Students will gain a practical understanding of industry standards, develop new digital literacies through the creation of a multi-platform project, and the systems, trends and technological developments taking place in the digital media industries.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject is designed to further develop the skills and extend the experience of those students already in gainful employment in a publishing or communications environment. With the support of the subject coordinator and the mentorship of a senior staff member in their place of employment, they will investigate their company's business in order to understand its position within the broader industry. As well as taking part in their ongoing day-to-day work, students will undertake a research project of concrete and practical benefit to their organisation. The research topic will be negotiated between the student, the organisation's management or employee's mentor, and the subject coordinator. Students will develop skills in conducting effective and timely research, analysis and report-writing, and will also gaining deeper insight into a particular model of contemporary publishing and communications practice. They will exercise the skills in writing, editing, print and web production they have developed through their university studies and apply them directly to their current professional environment.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

A research topic selected in consultation with the supervisor. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Refer to PUBL90022 Publishing and Communications Thesis Part 1 for details.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to research skills for students planning, researching and writing a thesis in the School of Culture and Communication. Research Principles and Practices Graduate explores traditional and contemporary research practices and the differing methodological approaches guiding research practices in the School of Culture and Communication. It explores key research principles and practices including: defining an academic field, establishing a research question, identifying key words and key texts, developing a literature review, preparing and presenting a research proposal. Research Principles and Practices Graduate provides students with specific research methodologies and academic practices that will facilitate their research projects. It will also provide information about copyright, ethics and the conduct of ethical research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject gives students hands-on experience of publishing through the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, and teaches reflective learning techniques to consolidate the development of project management skills. Working under the supervision of a staff member, a student will produce two substantive publishing projects, equivalent to 6500 words of written assessment. The projects will be part of two larger team publishing projects led by staff and based in the teaching press. Students will also complete a journal or essay analysing their experience of publishing project management in a team environment (2500 words), and contribute to a team presentation of project outcomes (equivalent to 1000 words).

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the processes by which book publishers evaluate proposals and build their lists. Through seminars and hands-on workshops, students are introduced to the business and management aspects of book publishing that underpin list-building, and to the processes involved in selecting and commissioning titles, researching potential markets, building a distinctive list, choosing formats (print and digital), and providing effective commentary on work in progress. The subject also examines the management of publishing enterprises, including project costing, production management and quality control, distribution, management of suppliers, the negotiation of contracts, and the sale of subsidiary rights. On successfully completing this subject, students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal, a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a successful book publishing list, and a wide-ranging understanding of financial and management systems in the publishing industry.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject inducts students into short-deadline workflows and projects in an operational publishing house. Over five days, students undertake writing and publishing projects in the Publishing program’s teaching press, Grattan Street Press, under the supervision of academic staff, and to deadline, as part of the teaching press’s ongoing publication schedule. Students also participate in two masterclasses with leading authors and/or editors, designed to refine writing and editing skills employed in book publishing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will introduce students to the principles and practices associated with the development and structural editing of a range of texts from four of five specialised genres: fiction, trade non-fiction, children’s books, genre fiction and educational publishing. Students will be presented with manuscripts across the featured genres by staff and guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant field/s. Each genre will be covered in detail over two or three weeks of the semester. On successful completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced skills in manuscript appraisal and editing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

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.

View detailed information in the Handbook