Please note:
To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html.
Publishing
This program leads to a master of publishing degree (MPub) and is designed for those in, or intending to enter print or digital publishing work in trade companies, government or the non-profit sector. The program is composed of a set of seminar and simulation courses, an internship, and a project report, and encompasses a range of print and online publishing activities including marketing, management, design and technology.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Meeting the minimum university requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance. Entering students are expected to have a minimum knowledge of publishing which will be assessed through an evaluation of experience and submitted documents, and in some cases, through interviews and examinations. For further information on additional admission requirements, see the program website or contact pub-info@sfu.ca. Direct admission is only permitted into the Project Option.
Program Requirements
This program consists of course work, an internship, and the requirements from either a project or course option for a minimum of 47 units.
Students must complete
An analysis of management issues essential to the daily operation of publishing firms. Emphasis will be placed on the distinctive nature of publishing as a cultural/information industry, the applicability of theory and practice in marketing and accounting and the legal underpinnings of publishing. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
An examination of and engagement with editorial work, which comprises tasks ranging from conceptual to copy editing, as well as close collaboration with artists, designers, and marketers. Through readings, discussions, exercises, and assignments, all approached in the context of rhetorical theory, students learn to edit text, images, and combined forms - in print and online. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
A project-based consideration of the theory, elements, and principles of graphic design, as well as current trends in publication design for both print and online projects. The course examines the essential role of design and production in editorial, planning, budgeting, and marketing. This course is taken over two terms. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
Students work in teams to set up simulated publishing companies, taking on industry roles such as editor, art director, and marketing manager. Each team then develops a company mission and a list of printed books and digital publications. The team produces editorial and marketing documents; creates design solutions for print and online; projects revenue and expenses for each publication; and makes a final presentation to a panel of publishing professionals.
In the Media Project, students work in agile teams to develop a new media model. Teams build prototypes of their media model that are presented to faculty and industry guests for feedback. Working incrementally and iteratively, teams are tasked with finding a market need, building a media model, presenting the model to an audience, and developing ways to start and sustain their media enterprise. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
Students work in teams to explore applied research and development directions in publishing technology. Project teams design and develop working implementations and produce documentation and specifications for industry review. Prerequisite: admittance to the program.
An examination of the state of publishing in the context of public policy, international agreements, the Internet, and 21st century media ecologies. Emphasis is placed on trade, educational, and scholarly publishing in book, periodical, and online forms. This course is taken over two terms. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
A consideration of publishing from tablets, scrolls and codices to movable type and mass production including discussion of the medium of print and its influence on human expression. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of publishing and publishing policies in history. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
An examination of the economic, legal, social, and cultural role of publishing vis-à-vis the emerging digital paradigm. The emergence of new forms, genres, and contexts is explored, as is the adaptation and evolution of existing industrial forms. Attention is given to both broad-scale phenomena and to the details of digital technology. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
A non-credit course for master of publishing students that foregrounds professional skills in preparation for their professional placement term. Includes visits with publishing professionals, as well as workshops on industry positions, CVs and cover letters, interview techniques, and topics of concern within the publishing industry (e.g. remote versus in-person work, mental health, etc.). Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
A non-credit course for master of publishing students that foregrounds professional skills in preparation for their professional placement term. Includes visits with publishing professionals, as well as workshops on industry positions, CVs and cover letters, interview techniques, and topics of concern within the publishing industry (e.g. remote versus in-person work, mental health, etc.). Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PUB 890.
and an internship
Students must complete a one term hands-on learning experience, such as an industry placement or self-directed project of sufficient depth and breadth. Students are required to complete a work report on their experience before moving on to PUB 900: Publishing Project Report. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Admittance to the program.
and the requirements from either a project or course option
Project Option
Students must complete a written report based on their Publishing Internship/Project that investigates or analyzes a particular issue in the publishing industry. They will work with their supervisory committee to bring it to a final acceptable form. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PUB 899. Students with credit for PUB 898 may not take this course for further credit.
Course Work Option
Students complete a minimum of eight units from the following list of courses selected in consultation with supervisor or graduate program chair.
Making Knowledge Public explores how knowledge produced at universities makes its way into society, the public value of this knowledge, and the diminishing attention given to this public mission. The course asks questions such as: how does research shape public policy? how is the public involved in science? and, how is research taken up by the public? The course is premised on the belief that, in today’s climate, it is more important than ever for universities, researchers, and scholars to assert themselves in the public sphere in more purposeful ways. Students will have the opportunity to explore academic publishing and the importance this segment of the publishing industry plays in our society.
Students propose, create, produce, and defend a publication design project, which contributes to the development and understanding of the role of graphic design in society.
An exploration of fundamental design principles complemented by media-specific approaches to design as a strategic framework in publishing.
An exploration of the relationship between publishing and major moments of social and political change, with a focus on how publishing has historically been linked to revolution: democracy, science, abolition, anti-fascism, and feminism.
Explores the formulation and analysis of marketing goals within the evolving realm of online promotion and marketing. Emphasis is given to approaches to measurement of effect; implementation and campaign management; finding and nurturing audiences and conversations; branding; forecasting and budgeting.
An exploration of events and their management with emphasis on theories, social context, practices in the context of audience building, market creation and community building. Skill development, including curating, planning, design, marketing, human and financial resource management, sponsorship, budgeting, risk management and program evaluation are featured in this course.
Intensive study of a particular topic in publishing; course content varies per term.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in five terms.
Other Information
Satisfactory Performance
The progress of each student is assessed at the end of each term. A course grade of less than B is considered unsatisfactory. Any student who obtains a grade of less than B in two or more courses may be required to withdraw from the program.
Internship and Project Report
A key component is an internship and project report which integrates the knowledge the student has gained with the demands of an applied setting. This internship is in the workplace, typically in industry, public institutions, or government. An appropriate level of documentation and reporting is required. During the internship, which generally last four months, the student receives academic supervision as required from the student's supervisor. Day-to-day supervision is by designated industry supervisors who have appropriate qualifications and will be appointed by the university. In very small companies, alternate arrangements may be made.
The internship will focus on a specific student-initiated project, overseen by one or more supervisory committee members or by the industry supervisor. The student submits a proposal defining the project scope, plans for documentation and reporting, anticipated activities, schedule and conclusion. The proposal is approved by the supervisory committee. Commitment of the company or institution, the industry supervisor and the university will be formalized by a letter exchange.
The student produces two reports: a work report which documents the tasks performed during the internship term; and a project report which investigates a particular problem. The latter serves as a project record and interpretation.
The supervisory committee assesses the project on the basis of the quality of writing and the substance, scope, and relevance of research conducted.
There is no oral exam. However, a project report will be submitted to the library.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.