The UK magazine industry has never been more exciting and challenging. Despite digital and economic changes modern magazines devoted to trends and interests endure. This module looks at how these contemporary publications are positioned and how they co-operate to weave together strands of information. In this module students learn about the contexts within which contemporary magazines operate. They look at the current state of the periodicals sector and reflect on trends and future developments by researching, originating and developing a magazine concept for a specified readership. They build up effective editorial, team-working skills and adapt these to the needs of differing audiences and objectives through the origination and production of their own magazine. They will apply journalistic skills to create a portfolio of articles and will utilise design and layout skills to produce a dummy magazine.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
This module will be delivered through weekly one-hour lectures and related two-hour workshops. Both lectures and workshops will involve discussions about the role and changing nature of contemporary magazine journalism. These will be supported by short talks and handouts. Written tasks will be undertaken in workshops but students will also be expected to research and write features in their own time. Students will work in editorial teams in workshops and in their own time to develop magazine concepts and create dummy magazines that incorporate these features.
The module will be assessed by two connected applied assessments. Each student will originate, develop and write two or three features to create their own portfolio of articles. Students will also work in groups to bring these features together to produce a dummy magazine. Readerships and niche markets for the magazine will need to be considered before embarking on the written features. Each student will keep a critically reflective diary of their involvement in producing the magazine which will also form part of their portfolio.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1hr lecture 2hr workshop | 22 44 |
| Guided independent study | Working individually and in editorial teams to develop and produce a dummy magazine | 234 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment aims to test students' knowledge of key issues in magazine journalism and their skills and ability to apply that knowledge to modern periodical practice by developing and producing related products and written journalism. It also aims to examine their ability to critically analyse their own practice.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate a familiarity with, and ability to use, the skills involved in creating journalistic features. | Summative assessment - individual portfolio of feature articles. |
| Critically reflect on the priorities, themes and changing nature of the contemporary periodical sector. | ? Class exercises and presentations (formative) |
| Recognise and evaluate the circumstances within which magazines are produced. | Development and production of a magazine concept, groupwork and critical work journal (summative) |
| Apply the kinds of thinking used to produce magazine journalism in developing their own creative potential. | Development and production of a magazine concept, groupwork, critical work journal (summative) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Portfolio | 50 |
| Coursework | Group Work - Dummy Magazine | 50 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Bradshaw, P & Morrish, John (2011) Magazine Editing: In Print and Online London: Routledge
Whittaker, Jason (2008) Magazine Production London: Routledge
Frost, Chris (2011 2nd edition) Designing for Newspapers and Magazines (London: Routledge)
Hennessey, Brendan (2005) Writing Feature Articles (Focal Press)
Hicks, Wynford & Holmes, Tim (2002) Sub-editing for Journalists London: Routledge
Holmes, Tim & Nice, Liz (2011) Magazine Journalism (Sage Publications)
Holmes, Tim (2008) Mapping the magazine: Comparative Studies in Magazine Journalism (London: Routledge)
Keeble, Richard (ed) (2005) Print Journalism: a critical introduction (London: Routledge)
McKay, Jenny (2005) The Magazines Handbook (London: Routledge)
Recommended websites:
Audit Bureau of Circulations
International Federation of Periodical Press
Media Guardian
Magform – all about magazines
Magenta
Periodical Publishers Association
Press Gazette