Course Title: Magazine Writing and Editing

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Magazine Writing and Editing

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COMM2467	City Campus	Undergraduate	345T Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2019
COMM2467	City Campus	Undergraduate	375T Vocational Design and Social Context	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2021
COMM2467	City Campus	Undergraduate	515T Creative Industries	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent

Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)

Course Coordinator Email: pwecoordinators@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You are required to have completed Year 1 of the program AD016 Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing

Course Description

This course focuses on writing and editing for magazines and periodicals. It explores the structures and formats of these publications and analyses how elements such as image, design and house style can appeal to readers and contribute to a cohesive identity.

You will examine the editorial roles and responsibilities distinct to periodical publication and become familiar with how to write and subedit suitable copy. You will also consider the legal, ethical and technical constraints involved in creating or sourcing textual and illustrative material; research emerging trends in magazine publishing; and investigate the attributes and potential of online periodicals.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

• demonstrate analytical skills and creative solutions to respond to problems in a range of diverse writing, editing and publishing contexts
• apply initiative and judgement 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:

• write and edit material suitable for print magazines and periodicals
• use text, images and design to reflect industry standards
• create, commission and subedit copy 
• identify risk issues related to copyright and propose solutions to avoid or minimise risk
• apply complex house styles to publication materials.

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

• lectures and demonstrations, including guest lectures, which provide the framework for exploring sample texts and developing and articulating responses
• class exercises designed to clarify course content and practise relevant skills
• independent research and study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials to deepen understanding through reading, immersion and critique
• writing and editing workshops to assist development of appropriate techniques with feedback from peers and teacher
• project and assignment work, both individual and collaborative, to develop ideas, apply skills and practise teamwork and project management techniques.

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.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 yourstudies https://rmit.libguides.com/writing-editing
The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Assessment will include a range of activities such as in-class exercises, assignments, and individual/group projects.

Assessment 1: Editing excerpts for a magazine CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weighting: 25%

Assessment 2: Magazine writing
Weighting: 25% CLO 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment 3: Magazine editing and production project overview CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weighting: 50%

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 orthe Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.(https://rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services)