- Master of Publishing
- Admissions to the MPub Program
- Masters Courses
- PUB 600: Topics in Publishing Management
- PUB 601: Editorial Theory and Practice
- PUB 602: Design & Production Control in Publishing
- PUB 605 Fall Project: Books Publishing Project
- PUB 606 Spring Project: Magazine/Media Project
- PUB 607: Publishing Technology Project
- PUB 611: Making Knowledge Public: How Research Makes Its Way Into Society
- PUB 800: Text & Context: Publishing in Contemporary Culture
- PUB 801: History of Publishing
- PUB 802: Technology & Evolving Forms of Publishing
- PUB 900: Internship Project Report
- PUB 899: Publishing Internship
- Faculty and Staff
- Awards and Financial Support
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Undergraduate Minor
- Undergraduate Courses
- PUB 101: The Publication of Self in Everyday Life
- PUB 131: Publication Design Technologies
- PUB 201: The Publication of the Professional Self
- PUB 210W: Professional Writing Workshop
- PUB 212: Public Relations and Public Engagement
- PUB 231: Graphic Design Fundamentals
- PUB 331: Graphic Design in Transition: Print and Digital Books
- PUB 332: Graphic Design in Transition: Print and Digital Periodicals
- PUB 350: Marketing for Book Publishers
- PUB 355W: Online Marketing for Publishers
- PUB 371: Structure of the Book Publishing Industry in Canada
- PUB 372: The Book Publishing Process
- PUB 375: Magazine Publishing
- PUB 401: Technology and the Evolving Book
- PUB 410: Indigenous Editing Practices
- PUB 411: Making Knowledge Public: How Research Makes Its Way Into Society
- PUB 431: Publication Design Project
- PUB 438: Design Awareness in Publishing Process and Products
- PUB 448: Publishing and Social Change: Tech, Texts, and Revolution
- PUB 450: The Business of Book Publishing
- PUB 456: Institutional and International Event Planning
- PUB 458: Journalism as a Publishing Problem
- PUB 477: Publishing Practicum
- PUB 478: Publishing Workshop
- PUB 480 D100: Buy the Book: A History of Publication Design (STC)
- PUB 480 OL01: Accessible Publishing (OLC)
- Undergraduate Courses
- Workshops
- General Information and Cancellation Policy
- Travel and Accommodation
- Financial Assistance
- Publishing Workshops
- Contact SFU Publishing Workshops
- Research
- News & Events
- Contact
Masters Courses
Master of Publishing candidates must complete 49 credits. The curriculum comprises six courses (24 credits) and three projects (13 credits), offered exclusively within the program; followed by an internship (6 credits) and a research project (6 credits) that demonstrates the student’s ability to apply acquired knowledge in an industry setting.
Both the seminar and project courses of the Master of Publishing program are invigorated by the constant research activities of the Canadian Institute for Studies in Publishing (CISP). Our faculty work closely with the publishing industry in researching business dynamics, Internet technologies, emergent media forms, cutting-edge design, elegant editorial insight, understanding of industry dynamics, appreciation of the historical record, and a wide range of theoretical perspectives. MPub project courses are themselves research endeavours, exploring the cutting edge of book, magazine, and new media publishing.
The MPub internship is specifically designed as a research-oriented project, aimed at producing a project report describing original research in an applied setting.
See Research and the CISP Press for more information about current research directions at the Canadian Institute for Studies in Publishing (CISP).
All courses during semesters one (September – December) and two (January – April) are held at SFU Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver.
The semester three internship (May – August) and semester four project report writing, supervision and evaluation (September – December) may be completed either in Vancouver or elsewhere. Residency in the Vancouver area is not a requirement for semesters three and four.
MPub Courses Overview
Semester One
Pub 600-4 – Topics in Publishing Management
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.
Pub 601-4 – Editorial Theory and Practice
The theoretical component of this course focuses on theories of composition and rhetoric. The practical component focuses on the various types of editing that take place in publishing. Students are examined on both the theory and their attained competence in editing.
Pub 602-4 – Design and Production Management (First Half)
A consideration of the theory, principles, traditions and current trends in publication design as applied to print and electronic publishing. Students will undertake design exercises in addition to learning the relationship between design, costing and print production.
Pub 605-5 – Fall Project: Book Publishing Project
Students are assigned to groups (simulated book publishing companies) and are given a company profile for which they develop a season’s titles. They form a team based on industry roles: publisher, editor, subrights manager, production manager, art director, promotion and marketing manager. Each team produces the editorial profile, costing and marketing plans for the list, designs the covers, and makes a final presentation to an industry panel.
PUB 611-4 - Making Knowledge Public: How Research Makes Its Way Into Society
This fall, join us for PUB611 - Making Knowledge Public: How Research Makes Its Way Into Society. Designed to spark conversations and engage students from across the university, the course explores the changing role of research, knowledge-making, and truth in the public sphere. Taking place in person and online on Tuesdays and Thursdays (SFU Vancouver), this 4-credit course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students
Pub 800-4 – Text & Context: Publishing in Contemporary Culture
An examination of the contemporary state and developing trends in the Canadian publishing industry. Emphasis is placed on book publishing, business dynamics, government policy, and international trade. Attention is also given to magazine and multimedia publishing and comparisons with other countries are drawn.
Semester Two
Pub 602-4 – Design and Production Management (Second Half)
A consideration of the theory, principles, traditions and current trends in publication design as applied to print and electronic publishing. Students will undertake design exercises in addition to learning the relationship between design, costing and print production.
Pub 606-4 – Magazine/Media Publishing Project
Students are assigned to groups and form a team based on common roles in the industry: publisher, comptroller, editor, production manager, art director, advertising director, marketing and distribution manager. In consultation with faculty and industry speakers the team develops a magazine concept, creates a business plan including cost projections, and identifies the readership demographics and potential. Design mockups are produced and a final presentation made to an industry panel.
Pub 607-4 – Publishing Technology Project: Explorations
Students create their own home pages and working in a team environment, participate in a web publishing project that may include the Publishing@SFU web site. Normally the web publishing project is real rather than a simulation. Students will be assigned to roles based, in part, on their interests but most importantly on their capabilities as judged from the course work completed before the commencement of the project.
Pub 801-4 – History of Publishing
A consideration of publishing from the time of Gutenberg to the present day including discussion of the medium of print and its influence on human expression and thought. Emphasis will be placed on the role of publishing and publishing policies in society.
Pub 802-4 – Technology and Evolving Forms of Publishing
An examination of the nature of technology and the social, cultural, legal, economic and political implications of evolving publishing business forms, publication formats, markets, policies and, especially, technology. Opportunities for Canadian publishing in domestic and global markets will be emphasized.
Semester Three
