Course Description

This course, updated in 2026, discusses the cultural origins of books and the European roots of the modern magazine. You will examine the evolution of contemporary copyright law and the changes e-books have brought to the publishing industry. The two major formats of paperback books, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of digital libraries, will also be discussed here. You will also study the meanings of ‘print-on-demand’ and ‘self-publishing’.

Then dive into 20th-century journalism trends and the backlash against pulp magazines in the 1930s. The different types of specialized magazines and how they have adapted to an online market will also be covered. You will grapple with the history and decline of the newspaper industry, the nature of literary journalism, and the impact of television on journalism. The meaning of ‘watchdog journalism’, as well as the difference between online reporting and traditional print reporting, will also be taught.

Print media is a major means of providing information and transferring knowledge to people. By studying the history and evolution of books, magazines, and newspapers, you will gain valuable knowledge, particularly if you are in the fields of media, journalism, and communication. So why wait? Start this course today and explore ideas that can open doors to an exciting career.

What you'll learn in this course?

• Media Studies

• History