KWB217 Editing and Publishing


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KWB217
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KWB310
Coordinator:Melanie Saward | m.saward@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit offers an advanced understanding of the editing process and the contemporary Australian publishing landscape. It develops your editorial acumen across a range of modes and forms, and builds the interpersonal skills required for editorial relationships. These understandings and skills are crucial for those intending to work in the publishing industry and are of great benefit to creative writers. You will learn to edit the work of others with insight, understanding, and technical skill, and gain a greater knowledge of contemporary Australian publishing.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse and edit others' work.
  2. Employ professional communication skills in author-editor interactions.
  3. Utilise the basic lexicon of manuscript assessment, editing, and proofreading.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the Australian publishing industry by examining key trends, stakeholders, and market dynamics

Content

This unit addresses content such as the techniques and stages of editing across a variety of modes and forms as well as an understanding of the contemporary Australian publishing industry.

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will learn through engaging with the following: an integrated program of lectures and tutorials, with a balance of small group, large group, online and individual activities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback in this unit by participating in weekly discursive tutorials, through developmental conversations with your peers. You will also receive written feedback from your tutor on your examination and on your final reader’s report.  

Assessment

Overview

At mid semester, you will perform the authentic task of assessing a manuscript  for a particular publisher and offering your recommendations for its suitability and development. These practical editorial skills and understandings of the contemporary publishing landscape will prove foundational to the exam you take at the end of semester.

The end of semester exam consists of both short answer and multiple choice questions around the Australian publishing industry, and particular editorial skills. This will include marking up a short manuscript with the editorial notations you have learned.

These two tasks individually and holistically require you to critically analyse from an editorial perspective the work of selected writers, use the basic lexicon of manuscript assessment, editing, and proofreading, and employ professional communication skills in author-editor interactions.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Reader's Report (written)

You will develop a reader's report for a selected publisher, including editorial suggestions and corrections.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Issue in contemporary publishing essay

Choose from a number of supplied questions about an issue in contemporary publishing and write a researched essay of 1500-1800 words to answer the question. 

Weight: 40
Length: 1500-1800
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Proofreading Examination

A take home examination consisting of a manuscript to mark up with editorial notation.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 20
Length: 120 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).

Resources

Required Text 
There is no set text for this unit. 

Please consult the unit Canvas site for recommended readings. 

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury. 

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO2
  5. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
    Relates to: ULO2
  5. Practise self-management of career and learning with enterprise and an entrepreneurial outlook, including the building of personal and professional relationships and partnerships.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3