MCH3001 : Magazine Publishing
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Mr Chris Falzon
- Other Staff: Mr Phil Cullen
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the professional world of print publishing and provides an insight into all aspects of the process, both creatively and from a business perspective. The module will provide experience on a ‘live’ working title and students will work in teams to complete the tasks for the magazine and its launch.
The module aims to provide the opportunity for students to relate knowledge, understanding and skills gained in other modules and apply it to work on a magazine which will be read by prospective undergraduates. This is also a magazine which will be looked at by parents, but also by members of the existing student cohort.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will be taught in four interwoven strands:
Strand 1: An overview of the magazine market and the way an individual publication fits into the market and addresses a target readership.
Strand 2: The management, organisation and running of a magazine.
Strand 3: Writing content for magazines – consumer and corporate.
Strand 4: An introduction to magazine design including theory and practical
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 50 | 1:00 | 50:00 | Guided activity towards assessment |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 10 | 6:00 | 60:00 | Interactive learning materials, critical readings, quizzes, short videos, delivered remotely and non |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | ‘Creative Pitch’ delivered as a remote synchronous collaborative presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Prepared materials for interactive learning, delivered as remote synchronous workshops |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Prepared materials for interactive learning, delivered as present-in-person workshops |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Peer feedback on practical activity, delivered as structured non-synchronous discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 30 | 2:00 | 60:00 | Engaging with story-research, multimedia practice and readings related to module learning |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students produce a printed publication containing coordinated stories, articles, features and associated advertising elements with teaching of creative, design and writing techniques, its association to the magazine industry and adverting practice feeding in to this learning as appropriate.
The reflective assessment is designed to allow students to demonstrate collective creativity, sense the importance of magazine content elements and to reflect on their own learning.
Learning and teaching supports students through iterative and informed assessment, which guides the learning experience.
In addition to the formative assessment, student-led practical work and small group teaching is structured to feedback and feed-forward personal learning through the sharing of content with peers.
The combination of all these activities allows for students to negotiate their project plans within their allocated groups and provides valuable student autonomy in the formation of team relationships and the building of professional motivation essential for successful completion of their magazines.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | A | 25 | 100 - 1250 word Reflective Report |
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | A | 75 | Group Project Work. Production of a full 24-36 page magazine. |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Remote synchronous collaborative presentation Creative pitch of magazine content and financial model. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative group pitch presentation assessment is a convenient way to assess the theoretical understanding of the magazine industry, the difficulties of team project work and the professional delivery of a team presentation under time-constraint as required by industry.
The group project work enables the application of subject knowledge and skills in providing appropriate content and the practical implementation to be assessed. The successful completion of the end-product (the magazine) provides the means to assess problem solving skills through choices made in identifying and acquiring the skills needed.
The written reflective report provides a final opportunity for students to critically reflect and provide evidence that they have met the aims of the module and have understood the intended knowledge and skills outcomes.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH3001's Timetable