Full time students do all their coursework, the research proposal and the research report in one. Full time study is strongly discouraged for working students. Part time students ideally do 2 course modules on the 1st semester in the 1st and 1 course in the 2nd semester of the 1st. The research proposal and the research report are done in the second.

Students who have not studied publishing previously will complete 3 of these 5 modules. Selection will be done in consultation with the Publishing Studies academic coordinator. Detailed descriptions are found under the Honours curriculum entry.

The following modules are for students who have studied Publishing previously, for example the Honours Publishing Studies. Students must complete three of the modules.

AFRT7040A Evolving forms of publishing – 1 st semester
Prerequisite – AFRT4024A/AFRT7042A This unit introduces the field of book history and print culture, in the context of human communication. Printed books as material objects have been joined by various electronic communications. The readings and activities in this module examine technologies from the first hand printed books, through the advent of printing presses to electronic forms of text creation. The history of the book in South Africa and Africa as well as other parts of the world is included. We examine the basis for the study of publishing and book history with different approaches to the theories of the creation of text in all its forms. The module includes comparisons of the development copyright and digital rights legislation and practice in South African and internationally. The topic of archiving as a means of preserving history is incorporated.

Set texts:

An Introduction to Book History – David Finkelstein, Alistair McCleery, Routledge
The Book History Reader – ed by David Finkelstein, Alistair McCleery, Routledge 2nd ed 2006
AFRT7046A Advanced digital and multimedia publishing – 1 st semester
Prerequisite – AFRT4024A/AFRT7042A More than the other modules, this will focus specifically on digital and multimedia publishing in South Africa and internationally. It will examine markets, types of materials that are published in digital and other formats, and some of the differing production techniques. This course will delve into the detail of coding and packaging a digital publication for the South African market and how to sell and distribute titles online.

AFRT7038A Advanced copy-editing and manuscript preparation – 2 nd semester
Prerequisite – AFRT4014A/AFRT7035A This module teaches advanced skills and the theoretical background necessary to work with a complex manuscript and prepare it for typesetting for either electronic or paper production. It includes high level language, content and copy editing for specific audiences, proofreading, preparing artwork briefs and preparing briefs for editors, translators and typesetters. Preparing all front and end matter, including imprint and contents page, forewords, glossaries and indices are dealt with. Advanced skills for editing on screen as well as on hard copy will be covered. As well as hands on work with manuscripts, management of the editorial department in a publishing company provides the overview of managing and briefing the people involved at every stage in the process.

AFRT7039A Selected topic in publishing for Publishing Studies – when available
The selected topic would be made up of a series of lectures by publishing experts on their fields of expertise. Content will focus on how local publishing is adapting to international trends, accessing of information on a variety of reading platforms and trends in local publishing including publishing in all official languages.

All coursework students
AFRT7034A Research report – full
Research report on an approved topic is compulsory for all coursework students. It comprises half of the credits for the degree. Over a full academic, you will complete a research report on a topic of particular interest to you. The first part of the will be spent writing the research proposal, in academic style, with research questions, a literature review, methodology, and reference list.

When the proposal is complete, you will submit it for approval from the research ethics committee. The final essay is intended to be about 25 000 words, including the proposal, results, and discussion of the results.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it