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Unit of study_

MECO6937: Multiplatform Publishing

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit explores the practical and theoretical aspects of book creation in print, digital and audio formats, following inclusive publishing practices. It provides a systematic overview of contemporary book design as well as key technologies, workflows and processes, including the implementation of accessibility standards. Students will acquire sought-after skills in long-form document design and the production of print and digital formats, using various software and digital content development platforms.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECO6937
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MECO6930
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Agata Mrva-Montoya, agata.mrva-montoya@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Agata Mrva-Montoya, agata.mrva-montoya@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Print design project
More information is available on Canvas.
30% Week 06
Due date: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 11 Apr 2024
1350 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration Digital design project
More information is available on Canvas.
25% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 May 2024
1125 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Collaborative design project
More information is available on Canvas.
45% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 Jun 2024
2025 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Print design project: The challenge is to create the cover design and the internal layout for a printed book, comprising of a collection of short stories and poems. The best design may be used to produce the Sydney University student anthology. This is an exercise in developing your own design ideas in response to a specific design brief. The emphasis is on mastering the basics of Adobe InDesign and understanding the components of book design.

Digital design project: Using the anthology files, students will produce reflowable and accessible EPUB files. The emphasis is on the implementation of accessibility standards, quality assurance and accessibility testing.

Collaborative design project: Working in groups, students will develop a proposal for an illustrated nonfiction title. They will create a design brief, and produce cover design and sample internal pages for print and digital delivery. The emphasis is on creativity, mastering the components of book design for print and digital delivery, developing collaboration and project management skills.

Participation: During the semester, students are expected to:

  • be active learners
  • attend 80% of all classes
  • read the assigned readings
  • prepare notes and questions for each class
  • be a valuable contributor to group projects
  • complete and submit all the assignments on time
  • contribute to the seminar discussions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Multiplatform publishing 101 Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Reading in the digital era Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Introduction to inclusive publishing Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Publishing platforms and workflows Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 05 Book designer at work Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Writing and editing for multiplatform delivery Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Design for multiplatform delivery Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Multiplatform production Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Ebooks and ebook apps in focus Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Listen up: the wonderful world of audiobooks Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Publishing lab Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Group project presentations Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Publishing futures Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no set text for this unit. Weekly readings on issues relating to the topics of individual seminars are available on Canvas. Moreover, an extensive list of resources that will help expand your knowledge and skills of book and ebook design and production is also available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the design processes, workflows and production issues involved in the development of books for multiplatform delivery
  • LO2. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of book design and layout within the contemporary publishing industry, and develop skills in a selection of graphic design and digital publishing software
  • LO3. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of inclusive publishing and accessibility standards, and acquire the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to produce accessible ebooks
  • LO4. identify the major factors which dictate the positioning of a title within a particular market sector, and plan its ‘look and feel’ appropriately
  • LO5. understand the impact of the digital revolution on book production for print, digital and audio delivery
  • LO6. understand the digital publishing landscape (including formats, devices, platforms and tools) and the economic, legal, social and cultural issues in multiplatform publishing

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been revised in response to the student and industry stakeholder feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.