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LIS108

History of Writing, Publishing & Book Trade

  • Education
  • 100 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 81 pages
  • 10 units

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of writing, publishing, and book trade. It explores the historical development of these fields, examining events and issues from ancient times to the modern era. The course covers various types of writing, the major players in the book chain, and the impact of technology on publishing and book trade. It also discusses information dissemination and transfer, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of the information ecosystem.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
52 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of LIS108, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

LIS108 · Unit 1: Definition of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade

Information Ecology: This is “an area that deals with how ideas are exchanged, how innovations expand, how values are added to information, and how new knowledge is tested and implemented within rich perspectives of the ecosystem through accumulated expertise and learning” (IGI Global 2022).

What you should be able to do

  1. Trace the development of writing, publishing, and book trade.
  2. Identify different types of writing systems.
  3. Explain the essence of writing and its role in communication.
  4. Identify major players in the book value chain.
  5. Explain the effect of technology on publishing and book trade.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Publisher
  • Editor
  • Librarian
  • Information Manager
  • Content Developer
Where it is applied
  • Publishing
  • Education
  • Libraries
  • Media
  • Information Technology

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3: Writing, Publishing and Book Trade Events and Issues in Ancient Times/Transiting to Modern Times

    Unit 2: Monopolies and the Suppression of Literature

    Understanding the nuances of historical censorship and its impact on literary works requires critical analysis and contextual awareness.

  • Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition

    Unit 1: Major Players in Book Chain

    Analyzing the complex interplay of various players in the book value chain demands a thorough grasp of their roles and interdependencies.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Definition and Concept of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade
    • Unit 1: Definition of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade · 4 hours

      Understand the concepts of writing, publishing, book, and book trade.. Differentiate between writing and publishing.. Explain the importance of information ecology..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Definition and Concept of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade
    • Unit 2: The History of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade · 4 hours

      Explain the emergence of writing.. Describe the evolution of publishing and book trade.. Discuss the manuscript culture from the Greeks to the Renaissance..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Types of Writing
    • Unit 1: Oral Tradition and Culture · 4 hours

      Trace the history of oral tradition.. Understand the transition from oral tradition to written culture.. Explain the role of memory and verbal utterances in ancient societies..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Types of Writing
    • Unit 2: Types and Essence of Writing · 4 hours

      Explain the different types of writing systems.. Discuss the essence of writing as a means of communication and preservation.. Differentiate between pictography, ideograph, logograph, syllabary, and phonograph..

  5. Week 5Module 3: Writing, Publishing and Book Trade Events and Issues in Ancient Times/Transiting to Modern Times
    • Unit 1: Printing Rights or Privileges · 4 hours

      Explain the early grant of printing rights and privileges.. Discuss censorship by the Royal Crown.. Trace the history of copyright and intellectual property..

  6. Week 6Module 3: Writing, Publishing and Book Trade Events and Issues in Ancient Times/Transiting to Modern Times
    • Unit 2: Monopolies and the Suppression of Literature · 4 hours

      Explain the impact of monopolies and the suppression of literature.. Discuss print and typesetting innovations.. Analyze the role of bookstore circulation and public libraries..

  7. Week 7Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition
    • Unit 1: Major Players in Book Chain · 4 hours

      Identify the major stages involved in book trade.. Identify the major players and their roles in the book value chain.. Understand the importance of each player in the book production process..

  8. Week 8Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition
    • Unit 2: Major Sub-Sectors in Book Publishing · 4 hours

      Identify the different segments of publishing.. Understand the characteristics of trade books, educational books, and scientific publishing.. Explain the role of university presses and magazine publishing..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition
    • Unit 3: Information Dissemination and Transfer · 4 hours

      Identify the different mediums of transferring information.. Explain the concept of information dissemination and transfer.. Understand the role of communication channels in spreading information..

  10. Week 10Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition
    • Unit 4: Effect of Technology Applications on Writing, Publishing and Book Trade · 4 hours

      Highlight the major changes brought by the application of ICT in publishing and book trade.. Discuss the emergence of desktop publishing and self-publishing.. Analyze the impact of digital prints and eBooks..

  11. Week 11Module 1: Definition and Concept of Writing, Publishing and Book Trade
    • Units 1 & 2: Review of Modules 1 & 2 · 4 hours

      Review key concepts from Modules 1 and 2.. Focus on the historical development of writing, publishing and book trade.. Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Writing, Publishing and Book Trade Events and Issues in Ancient Times/Transiting to Modern Times
    • Units 1-4: Review of Modules 3 & 4 · 4 hours

      Review key concepts from Modules 3 and 4.. Focus on events, issues, book chain, and the impact of technology.. Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Book Chain, Book Trade and Information and Knowledge Acquisition
    • Units 1-4: Comprehensive Course Review · 4 hours

      Comprehensive course review.. Focus on all key concepts and learning outcomes.. Final preparation for the examination..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a timeline of key events in the history of writing, publishing, and book trade (Units 2 & 6).
  • Compare and contrast different writing systems, focusing on their unique features and historical context (Units 4 & 5).
  • Develop a concept map illustrating the relationships between major players in the book chain (Unit 7).
  • Analyze case studies of censorship and its impact on literature (Unit 6).
  • Practice applying the concepts of information dissemination and transfer to real-world scenarios (Unit 9).

Questions students ask about this course

What is LIS108 about?

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of writing, publishing, and book trade. It explores the historical development of these fields, examining events and issues from ancient times to the modern era. The course covers various types of writing, the major players in the book chain, and the impact of technology on publishing and book trade. It also discusses information dissemination and transfer, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of the information ecosystem.

How many units does LIS108 have?

LIS108, History of Writing, Publishing & Book Trade, has 10 units across 4 modules, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is LIS108?

LIS108 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Education.

Is LIS108 hard?

LIS108 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does LIS108 take to study?

About 52 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.

How is LIS108 assessed?

LIS108 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with LIS108?

Publisher, Editor, Librarian, Information Manager and Content Developer.

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