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2025-2026 / DOCU0048-1

The publishing industry

Editorial techniques and processes

Distribution

The book trade

Duration

Editorial techniques and processes : 30h Th
Distribution : 15h Th
The book trade : 15h Th

Number of credits

 Master in ancient and modern languages and literatures, professional focus in editing and publishing5 crédits 
 Master in ancient languages and literatures: classics, professional focus in editing and publishing5 crédits 
 Master in communication, professional focus in publishing and the publishing industry5 crédits 
 Master in French and Romance languages, general, professional focus in publishing and book trade5 crédits 

Lecturer

Editorial techniques and processes : Tanguy Habrand
Distribution : Philippe Marczewski, Anicet Thomas
The book trade : Bernard Quickels

Coordinator

Tanguy Habrand

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Editorial techniques and processes

This course provides an in-depth introduction to publishing professions and their challenges, combining theoretical frameworks, institutional contexts, and editorial operations.

The first part analyzes the professional and institutional landscape of the French-speaking Community of Belgium, considered in its economic, cultural, and symbolic dimensions: public and private actors, support mechanisms, continuing education, interaction between creation and the market, the role of publishing within cultural industries, and the construction and circulation of editorial categories.

Building on this foundation, the course examines the main stages of an editorial project, from the reception and evaluation of manuscripts to the circulation of books. These stages (commissioning and developing collections, preparing and editing texts, drafting contracts, designing communication materials, liaising with distributors, conducting iconographic research and graphic design) are studied both as concrete operations and as practices embedded within socio-economic and institutional frameworks.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Editorial techniques and processes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

- understand and analyze the structure of the publishing field in its professional, institutional, and economic dimensions;

- master the main operations involved in carrying out an editorial project;

- use precise technical and conceptual vocabulary to describe and interpret publishing practices;

- situate publishing professions within the cultural and industrial logics that shape them;

- identify personal skills to be developed in order to build a career path suited to the market;

- adopt a critical and reflective approach, integrating sectoral monitoring as a tool for continuous learning.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Editorial techniques and processes

No prerequisites are required.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Editorial techniques and processes

The course combines: 1) theoretical lectures introducing key concepts and issues; 2) case studies and document-based analyses drawn from real publishing situations; 3) guided discussions to foster critical reflection and multiple perspectives.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Editorial techniques and processes

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Editorial techniques and processes

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The main course material is a slideshow provided to students. Additional readings will be recommended to deepen theoretical and documentary aspects.

Editorial techniques and processes

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

Assessment consists of a written exam (on site, closed book). The exam includes factual questions, case-based questions, definitions, practical exercises, and a general reflection question. Evaluation criteria include the accuracy of knowledge, clarity of analysis, precision of vocabulary, and correctness of language.

Use of artificial intelligence : The use of artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited during the exam. 

Work placement(s)

Editorial techniques and processes

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Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Editorial techniques and processes

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Contacts

Editorial techniques and processes

Tanguy Habrand
tanguy.habrand@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Editorial techniques and processes

There is no MOOC associated with this course.