WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

IntertextPatrick W. Berrypwberry@syr.edu, office: HBC 235Fall 2014, Fridays, 9:30-12:15 p.m., HBC 020 & HBC 227http://wrt-intertext.syr.eduoffice hours: Fridays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. and by appointment

Course OverviewWhat does it take to produce a publication from start to finish? In this course, we will explore publication processes: reviewing past issues of Intertext, analyzing audience, reading and selecting submissions, editing copy, finding and creating visual content, designing layouts, and developing supplemental editorial content. We will also explore production and manufacturing costs as well as issues pertaining to marketing, social media, promotion, and advertising. The ultimate goal is to create the 2015 issue of Intertext along with a supplemental Web-based component. At the end of the Spring 2015 semester, we will have the 2015 launch party, scheduled for April 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in 500 Hall of Languages. All students in this course will be asked to plan and participate in the launch.

The course will include visits from publication professionals (often via Skype, but sometimes in person) who will share their perspectives on various aspects of publishing, from copyediting to advertising to the shifting nature of publishing in our increasingly digital world.

Course Goals1. Learn the steps involved in producing a high-quality print-based publication. 2. Analyze some of the ways in which print-based publishing intersects with digital publishing.3. Work effectively and collaboratively as a team member. 4. Gain insight from investigating and comparing different examples of scholarly and commercial publishing. 5. Acquire strategies for editing material and communicating with authors. 6. Develop basic design skills using programs such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.

Course Materials A USB jump drive or some other portable storage device (8 to 16 gigabytes) on which to save material. Select readings provided on Blackboard.

Requirements/AssessmentThe course emphasizes reading, editing, and teamwork, and thus a generous work ethic is expected (i.e., flexibility, willingness to work outside of class, independence). Grading will be based on active participation in all aspects of the course, including the following:

Attending all class meetings, subcommittee meetings (when necessary), individual conferences, and launch party Engaging with assigned readings Completing all assigned tasks by the due date Doing close reading and careful editing Developing effective design components and revising as necessary Meeting all deadlines Submitting Final Reflection

You will receive feedback from me on your work throughout the semester. We will also have a conference midway through the semester to assess your work in terms of editing and design.

Attendance & ParticipationYour timely participation in all assigned tasks (in class and at home) is critical for your success in the course. Coming to class unprepared or being uninvolved or more than 20 minutes late will be considered an absence. If you miss three classes, your grade will be reduced by one letter grade. If you miss more than three classes, you run the risk of failing the course.

Special Needs and SituationsIf you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible.

Syracuse University and I are committed to your success and to supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This means that in general no individual who is otherwise qualified shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity solely by reason of having a disability. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your academic needs, although I cannot arrange for disability-related accommodations.

Religious ObservanceSUs religious observances policy, found at http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm, recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition.Under the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the first day of class until the end of the second week of class.

Academic HonestyThe academic community requires ethical behavior from all of its participants. For writers, this means that the work we claim as ours must truly be ours. At the same time, we are not always expected to come up with new ideas; we often build our thinking on the ideas of others. We are expected, however, to credit others with their contributions and to clearly indicate the boundaries of our own thinking. In cases where academic dishonesty is detected (the fraudulent submission of anothers work, in whole or part, as your own), you may be subject to a failing grade for the project or the course, and in the worst case to academic probation or expulsion. For a more detailed description of the guidelines for adhering to academic honesty in the College of Arts and Sciences, go to: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu.

Emerging schedule DateIn classAt home (due for the following class)

8/28Introduction to the course and to Intertext; review types of editorial content needed in publication; develop selection criteria.

Read packet 1 and complete survey by Thursday, 9/5, at 8 p.m. Bring handouts of packets to class.

9/5Discuss submissions; discuss strategies for collecting photographs. Review production and manufacturing options.

Read packet 2 and complete survey, copyedit manuscript with group, and upload bio and hi-res photo to Blackboard.

9/12Discuss submissions; review copyediting practices; review images. TBD

9/19Finalize manuscripts. Introduction to InDesign. Develop design guidelines. Explore community solicitations and possibilities for multimedia content.

Read selection from Robin Williamss The Non-Designers Design Book (pp. 81-108). Read selections from Carol Sallers The Subversive Copy Editor.

Create one layout (to be assigned); copyedit one piece (to be assigned).

9/26Workshop layouts and editing; review procedure for notifying authors and sharing suggested edits.

Skype Meeting: Manufacturing and Production

Notify authors (to be assigned). Perform Stage 2 tasks (to be assigned), which will focus on advanced layout and editing, supplemental material from community partners, and Web content.

10/3TBAContinue Stage 2 production tasks.

10/10Preparing Web content for journal

Skype Meeting: Digital Publishing

Stage 3 production tasks (to be assigned), which will include front matter, TOC, Web content, and final editing

10/17No classNo class

10/24TBA

10/31TBAReadings TK

11/7Sign off before issue goes to press.

11/14Finalize Web contentIndividual tasks to be assigned.

11/21TBA

11/28No classThanksgiving break

12/5Course reflections; student evaluationsFinal Reflection essay is due.

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