Module: PUB5103-20 Science Journalism and Publishing

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Jason Bennett

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.bennett2@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Science publishing, across trade and academic, is a massive global industry, worth over $20 billion worldwide and growing. This module provides you with an introduction to the thriving area of science publishing from non-fiction books, journalism and popular science magazines (for the general reader) to specialist Science, Technical, Medical (STM) research publishing (non-Open Access and OA). You will learn about the key editorial and associated publishing skills required by the industry through talks, editing exercises and guided research.

You will learn how to choose a topic, research, structure and write an article on a science topic for the general reader and to lay this out using industry software. You will be introduced to the publishing process from initial idea, through editorial development work, copyediting, to the finished product and finding an audience.

You will produce a portfolio of work from set briefs and editing exercises. These publishing skills are very transferable into, for example, health and science marketing.

2. Outline syllabus:

• Introduction to international book and magazine science publishing

• Introduction to the publishing process and roles within the industry

• Article writing

• Introduction to editing, accuracy, stylesheets, proofing

• Audience, level and editing approaches from Pop Science to research journals

• STM publishing and specialist science terminology and style

• Editing mark up: hand and online

• Publishing software workshops

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Lectures introduce the major topics of the module; practical workshop sessions will be used to develop subjects introduced in the lectures. Demonstrations by our specialist publishing technical demonstrators will introduce you to the relevant publishing software.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Feature article (3500 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 70%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Portfolio (1,500 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 30%