Course Title: Towards Publication

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Towards Publication

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2460

City Campus

Undergraduate

345T Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019

COMM2460

City Campus

Undergraduate

375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021

COMM2460

City Campus

Undergraduate

515T Creative Industries

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024,
Sem 2 2025

Course Coordinator: Dzintra Boyd

Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)

Course Coordinator Email: pwecoordinators@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B94 City

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required prior study Developing a Writing Project (COMM2458)

Students are expected to have completed (or demonstrate concurrent enrolment in) this specified study and may be directed to amend their enrolment if requirements are not met.


Course Description

This course takes you through the process involved in preparing a manuscript for publication, including final drafting, editing, manuscript presentation and pitching your work to publishers. During the course you will take on the role of either writer or editor, and collaborate with other students to learn first-hand about the writer/editor relationship. Student can develop and prepare a fiction or non-fiction manuscript for publication with a view to approaching publishers with their work, edit an anthology of student work, or focus on and be given an opportunity to complete an industry placement or a project.


This is a capstone course and includes a work integrated learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/ or community is integral to your experience.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the AD016 Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing:

  1. identify and employ writing and editing techniques; principles and practice of communication and writing for different audiences; emerging digital media and trends and developments in the publishing industry
  2. acquire and apply the skills to write works of fiction and non-fiction, edit professionally, edit to an industry standard, create digital content, design print and web-based products, develop and manage writing and editing projects.
  3. apply and creatively adapt theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to reflect the needs and expectations of varied readerships and markets
  4. identify, analyse, and reflect on relevant trends in writing, editing and publishing in both local and international contexts
  5. demonstrate analytical skills and creative solutions to respond to problems in a range of diverse writing, editing and publishing contexts
  6. communicate effectively to audiences within relevant creative and professional contexts about writing, editing and publishing
  7. work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness
  8. apply initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in your practice as a writer or editor or in future study.


Course Learning Outcomes

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

  1. communicate your writing and/or editing corrections, suggestions and concerns to fellow authors and editors
  2. format your manuscript with consideration for presentation issues such as font, alignment, line spacing and margins
  3. identify suitable markets for your work and devise appropriate methods of targeting these markets
  4. identify the publisher(s) most suitable for you to work with, either as a writer or editor and initiate contact with publishers via query letters, proposals and/or brief synopses
  5. pitch your project to the most appropriate publisher
  6. collaborate with other professionals on a range of projects


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

  • class discussions and activities, which provide the framework for exploring course content and practising relevant skills
  • guest lectures from specialist industry speakers
  • workshops to assist with manuscript development
  • independent research and study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials
  • industry placement


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

An essential resource for this course is a detailed grammar handbook including instruction, exercises and answers, which is provided to you.

The University Library has extensive resources for Professional Writing and Editing students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies https://rmit.libguides.com/writing-editing
The Library provides guides on academic referencing: https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

All students will undertake Assessment 1: Anthology Contribution (25%) CLO 1, 2, 6

Students will be further assessed in the following streams:

Writing stream (75%) CLO 3, 4, 5

OR

Editing Stream (75%) CLO 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

OR

Placement Stream (75%) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.