(Code 12131006)
Package coordinator:
Dr Beth le Roux
(012 420 2426)
To publish is to produce and issue printed and electronic information for distribution and sale. Published matter includes a wide variety of printed and electronic information products, including books (trade, educational, and academic books) and corporate publications (newsletters, house journals, and annual reports). In this degree, we look at the publishing process as an interlinked value chain. The various role players in the chain all add value to the published product. The BIS (Publishing) equips the learner with the generic skills needed to tailor information products for different audiences, to manage publishing projects and to liaise with and brief specialist role players in the publishing value chain.
What are the objectives of the package?
· To provide learners with knowledge of the publishing process (including market research; commissioning; copy-editing and proof reading; the visual and production dimensions of publishing; distribution, delivery and sales; marketing and promotion), key role-players as well as trends and initiatives in the local and international publishing industry.
· To provide learners with the skills needed to perform specific publishing tasks, including commissioning new publications; managing projects (by liaising with and briefing professional role-players such as copy-editors, graphic designers, reproduction specialists, printers, marketers and distributors); list building, editorial organization, and the financial and marketing dimensions of publishing.
· To enable learners to use technology add value to the production and dissemination of publications, for a variety of different audiences.
· To make learners aware of the social, ethical and legal responsibilities involved in the publishing process.
Which career opportunities are available?
There are a variety of career opportunities, in the publishing industry, the book retail industry and the corporate publishing environment (including government departments; banking and other financial institutions; the tourism industry; service industries; NGOs). Motivated and goal-orientated candidates can become part of this highly competitive environment. On-the-job experience is usually needed for further career development.
Some entrance-level career opportunities include:
· assisting a specific role-player in the publishing chain:
o the MD of the publishing house or corporate publishing division;
o a commissioning editor or publisher;
o an editorial manager;
o a production manager ;
o a marketing manager;
· market or picture research;
· copyright negotiations;
· copy-editing and proofreading;
· marketing and promotion;
· distribution and delivery.
As your career develops within a company you can advance to duties and positions such as:
· commissioning and managing publishing projects (editor / commissioning editor);
· liaising with / managing design and layout specialists;
· liaising with / managing production specialists;
· copy-editing and proofreading (copy-editor / proofreader);
· marketing and promotion (marketer, public relations officer);
· distribution and sales (distributor, salesperson);
· managing publishing lists / programmes (list manager / publishing manager);
· managing finances (financial manager);
· managing production (production manager;)
· managing legal issues (including copyright and reprint permissions);
· managing market research and publishing information (marketing manager);
· managing the publishing house (publisher / MD).
Where are these career opportunities available?
· Local and international book publishing houses (editorial, production, marketing and sales divisions);
· Book wholesalers, bookshops and e-commerce;
· National and local government departments (in-house publishing programmes);
· The corporate and business environment (newsletters, house journals, annual reports);
· Civil society (newsletters, reports);
· Community-based publishing initiatives;
· Freelance copy-editing and proofreading;
· Self-publishing and consultancy.
What are the limitations of this package?
This course is not aimed at learners who want to become:
· writers;
· translators;
· journalists at magazines and newspapers;
· copywriters at publicity agents;
· artists and graphic designers;
· technical specialists (such as typesetters and printers).
What is the profile of a learner who wants to specialize in publishing?
This course is aimed at learners who display skills and characteristics such as the following:
· academic excellence;
· exceptional language proficiency;
· extensive general knowledge;
· creative thinking ability;
· good human relations;
· the ability to work in a team;
· project management skills;
· business sense and entrepreneurship;
· perseverance and diligence;
· the ability to work under pressure;
· time management skills;
· enthusiasm and passion.
Is it possible to advance to postgraduate level?
The following postgraduate courses are available for those students who excelled at undergraduate level: BIS Hons (Publishing), MIS (Publishing) and a PhD (Publishing).
Admission requirements
To obtain admission to this degree , a candidate should have obtained the following:
(a) a valid National Senior Certificate with admission for degree purposes; and
Duration of study
Students registering for a three-year degree, must complete the degree in a maximum of five years.
Minimum credits required: 438 |
Year Level 1 |
Year Level 2 |
Year Level 3 |
Total |
Fundamental modules |
36 |
8 |
0 |
50 |
Core modules |
70 |
80 |
120 |
300 |
Elective modules |
24 |
40 |
30 |
94 |
Total |
130 |
128 |
150 |
408 |
FIRST YEAR OF STUDY
Fundamental modules for Year Level 1 (36 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
|
AIM 101 |
Academic Information Management |
|
6 |
S1 |
|
ENG 118 |
English for specific purposes |
|
12 |
S1 |
|
VKK 111 |
Visual culture studies |
|
12 |
S1 |
|
ALL 121 |
Academic Literacy for Information Technology |
|
6 |
S2 |
Core modules for Year Level 1 (80 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
INL 110 |
Information Science: Introduction to Information Science |
|
12 |
S1 |
INL 130 |
Information Science: Personal information management |
|
12 |
S1 |
INL 140 |
Information Science: Information and communication technology |
|
12 |
S2 |
PUB 110 |
Publishing: The book publishing environment |
|
12 |
S1 |
PUB 120 |
Publishing: The South African book publishing environment |
|
12 |
S2 |
|
||||
BEM 120 |
Introduction to Marketing |
|
10 |
S2 |
Elective modules for Year Level 1 (24 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
|
SECOND YEAR OF STUDY
Fundamental module for Year Level 2 (8 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
JCP 202 |
Community-based Project |
|
8 |
^ |
Note:
^ Consult the Department at the beginning of the year.
Core modules for Year Level 2 (100 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
INL 240 |
Information Science: social and ethical impact |
|
20 |
S1 |
PUB 210^ |
Publishing: copy-editing |
|
20 |
S1 |
PUB 220^ |
Publishing: The visual and production dimensions of publishing |
|
20 |
S2 |
|
||||
VKK 211 |
Visual Communication |
|
20 |
S2 |
Note: ^ Requires Departmental selection.
Elective modules for Year Level 2 (40 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
|
THIRD YEAR OF STUDY
Core modules for Year Level 3 (120 credits)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
PUB 310^ |
Publishing: publishing in the digital environment |
|
30 |
S1 |
PUB 311^ |
Publishing: commissioning |
|
30 |
S1 |
PUB 320^ |
Publishing: management in the publishing environment |
|
30 |
S2 |
PUB 321^ |
Publishing: publishing in the magazine and corporate environment |
|
30 |
S2 |
Note: ^ Requires Departmental selection.
Elective modules for Year Level 3 (30 credits*)
Code |
Module |
Prerequisites |
Credits |
Period |
|
Click here for a description of all the modules that fall under the School of Information Technology.
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