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Course Overview
What 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 Goals
1. 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.
WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

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

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Requirements/Assessment
The 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 & Participation
Your 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 Situations
If 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 Observance
SUs 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
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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 Honesty
The 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
Date In class At home (due for the following class)
8/28
Introduction 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.
9/5
Discuss 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.
9/12
Discuss submissions; review
copyediting practices;
review images.
TBD

9/19
Finalize 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).
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9/26
Workshop 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.
10/3
TBA Continue Stage 2 production tasks.

10/10
Preparing 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

10/17
No class No class

10/24
TBA
10/31
TBA Readings TK
11/7
Sign off before issue goes to
press.

11/14
Finalize Web content Individual tasks to be assigned.
11/21
TBA
11/28
No class Thanksgiving break
12/5
Course reflections; student
evaluations
Final Reflection essay is due.