Overview

On this module, students will engage with the impact that digital technologies have had on all aspects of the publishing industry. We will study the technologies that now underlie the production, marketing and sale of books. Weekly sessions are built around debating the issues technologies raise, from complicating ownership of content to the use of AI for creating content. You will also have the chance to build and market your own digital publication. The module will prepare students to assess the affordances and risks of new technologies within a publishing business.

Most innovations allow us to simply improve the way we do things. Some, however, disrupt entire industries by creating new products or services that compete with tradition. Publishers first saw eBooks as an enhancement to their standard product, but soon discovered that they were disrupting the entire industry, forcing wholesale rethinking of publishing. This module will look at the relationship between publishing and innovation, and the ways that publishing has often been in the forefront of technological change. It will also evaluate the impact that "disruptive innovation" has had on the book trade. We will make practical use of technology to develop a digital book product of your own design, and identify the practical options for publishing, marketing and monetizing that digital book.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -50-59% A Pass (C) candidate’s work will show many of the following qualities: • A satisfactory level of knowledge, analysis and expression. • Some familiarity with, and understanding of, relevant theoretical issues. • Generally sound organisation of argument, with some critical ability. • Accurate expression. • Competent use of quotation and references. -good -60-69% A (B) candidate’s work reaching Merit will show many of the following qualities: • An advanced level of factual knowledge. • Significant [substantial] knowledge of relevant theories and types of analysis. • Some evidence of original thought. • The ability to organise and argue effectively, make balanced judgements, and demonstrate critical thought. • Fluent and accurate expression. • Competent use of quotation and references. -excellent -70% and above Typically (A), the work of a candidate reaching Distinction will show many of the following qualities: • Thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant theories and types of analysis. • Thorough knowledge of a range of sources and the capacity to engage these critically. • Introduction and discussion of original ideas. • Relevant, well-organised and sophisticated argument. • High ratio of analysis to exposition. • Maturity, clarity and cogency of expression. • Excellent handling of quotation and references.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically assess the place of digital texts in the market and the value propositions they provide.

• Design and build an eBook that conforms to relevant industry and technical standards

• Differentiate between the disruptive and adaptive innovations and assess their relative impacts within the publishing field.

• Evaluate and apply digital production standards, practices and technologies in publishing a digital product

• Identify and evaluate the impact that digital publishing technologies have on copyright, access rights and ownership.