The study of book publishing is focused on the development of professional book industry skills grounded within book publishing’s intermedia, interdisciplinary, and international contexts. Courses in Book Publishing help students to develop skills in communication and rhetorical strategies, critical thinking, effective writing, and creativity and innovation. The work combines comprehensive education, specialization opportunities, and experiential learning to prepare students for a variety of careers both within and adjacent to the publishing industry.
This page focuses on the following aspects of our extensive curriculum:
- Industry Knowledge
- Communication
- Research and Critical Thinking
- Networks and Contexts
- Collaboration
- Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice
- Events
Industry Knowledge
Students will demonstrate familiarity with book publishing terminology and processes. The foundation for this familiarity is established in WR 560, Introduction to Book Publishing and then integrated throughout the rest of the program, with particular hands-on practice in Ooligan work in WR 575, Publishing Lab and through core courses in marketing, editing, design, and digital.
Communication
Students will communicate effectively in various written and oral formats, with a wide range of formats that includes marketing plans, author queries, email, sales calls, professional presentations, written reports, and research papers.
Research and Critical Thinking
Students will conduct effective research in book publishing, which includes framing research questions, refining critical thinking skills, contextualizing new research within what has already been written in the field, choosing a methodology, collecting and analyzing primary data, and working through stages of the revision process. Although these skills are taught throughout all Book Publishing courses, they are especially emphasized in WR 579, Researching Book Publishing.
Networks and Contexts
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the book’s position within the media ecosystem, the networked nature of the various agents involved in book publishing, the contexts (social, economic, legal, and political) that shape a book’s production and reception, and other key themes.
Collaboration
Students will work professionally and effectively as part of a team, which includes productive communication, superb time management, active opportunity-seeking and problem-solving, and meticulous documentation. Many of the book publishing courses include group work, but effective team work is especially emphasized in WR 575, Publishing Lab.
Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice
Students will examine patterns of power, inequity, and identity in book publishing to better understand their ethical and social responsibility in shaping the future of reading, bookselling, authorship, and publishing.
Events
Our program strives to achieve these learning goals inside and outside of the classroom. Each term, we host events—including Transmit Culture—through which we collaborate with the community to discuss or learn about important issues related to the publishing industry. Click on the links below to view recordings of past events.
Public Events
Click the image to view the recording of the Fall Transmit Culture Event: Libraries in the Publishing Ecosystem. Moderated by Book Publishing Program Director Dr. Rachel Noorda, panelists include Guy LeCharles Gonzalez of LibraryPass, Kady Ferris of the Multnomah County Library, Linda Duggins, formerly of Edelweiss, and Rachel Wease of Kirkus, formerly of the school and library marketing team at Penguin Young Readers.
Event Description—What is the role of the library in the book ecosystem in 2022? Come hear a panel of industry experts discuss the changing relationship between libraries and publishers and authors, the controversies surrounding libraries in the book ecosystem, and career opportunities for those interested in working with libraries.
Click here for more event recordings
Student & Alumni-only Events
*Note, you will need to use your Ooligan Press email address to access this folder.
Click here to view event recordings including the Ooligan Press 20th Anniversary event!