The MA in practical editorship and theory of publication is designed in particular for students who have completed a BA with a first-class grade in a humanities subject or a related subject.
Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and links with industry, so that students acquire a broad overview of the subject and experience that will enable them to work independently in editing and publishing.
The programme is 90 ECTS and is organised as one and a half years of full-time study.
The programme is made up of:
The programme is taught in Icelandic through lectures, discussion periods and seminars.
It is important to attend class and students must arrive well prepared, having done the required reading. Students are required to do a lot of independent study.
Course topics include:
Practical editorship and theory of publication is a new programme designed for students who want to build on their undergraduate degree without aiming at an academic career in their subject. Students from a wide range of humanities subjects are trained in editorial work.
Completing an MA allows you to apply for doctoral studies.
The BA-degree with a grade average of at least 7,25 (first class) and að final thesis gives access to second cycle of a higher education.
90 ECTS have to be completed for the qualification including 30 ECTS MA-thesis.
The programme in practical editorship and theory of publication is a 90 ECTS Master's programme at the School of Humanities, intended in particular for students who have completed a BA with a first class grade in humanities or a related subject. The programme prepares students for editorial and publishing work, e.g. with the media, book publishers and academic institutions. Emphasis is placed on both interdisciplinary collaboration and links with industry, so that students acquire a broad overview of the subject and experience that will enable them to work independently in editing and publishing. The MA in practical editorship and theory of publication is divided into three main sections:
The final project in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication is in two parts; a 20 ect traineeship (10 weeks work in editing and publishing), and a 10 ect thesis.
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
MA-thesis in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication
Training in various aspects of the writing and editing of scientific texts. Various kinds of texts (non-fiction) examined and evaluated. Training in reviewing and commenting on scientific texts and in other aspects of editorial work. The main emphasis will be on the writing of articles, but other kinds of texts will also be considered, both shorter (conference abstracts, reviews) and longer (theses, books), as well as research proposals. Discussion of guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts. Types of plagiarism and how to avoid them and find them. Texts on different subjects will be used as examples, especially writings in linguistics, literature and history. The book Skrifaðu bæði skýrt og rétt will be used as a textbook (Höskuldur Þráinsson 2015).
This course is open to students of many MA programmes in the School of Humanities, cf. the regulations of the individual subjects. Students in the MA programmes in Icelandic literature, Icelandic linguistics, Icelandic studies and Icelandic teaching can take the course as part of the MA course requirements in Icelandic literature or Icelandic linguistics. Students in the MA programme in Icelandic teaching can, however, not have this course as the only linguistics or literature course in their MA.
Constant technological development and emphasis on digital solutions has brought about frequent and numerous changes in the role of the webmaster. In this course, Efforts will be made to provide students with good insight into the main aspects of the webmaster's work. The writings of experts and scholars will be examined, and students will be introduced to the necessary tools and equipment. Professionals in the field will visit and share their experience with students.
The job of a web editor is often integrated with general web management. Students get a good insight into web editing and writing for digital media. The main aspects that a webmaster / web editor needs to be able to master will be discussed, such as information architecture, writing for the web, presentation of images, fundamentals in web design, accessibility, usability, security, analytics, content management systems (CMS), and basic web interface technology.
Students set up their own websites and use a CMS of their choice, e.g., WordPress or Wix, which are both available in free versions, and some of the assignments are submitted on there. In this way, students gain training in setting up a simple website. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that instruction in the use of the CMS is not part of the course. Those who have no or limited experience, in the use of CMS, are advised that YouTube has numerous videos where you can learn about the systems, from the basics to much more complex aspects that are expected in this course.
Introductory course in translation studies in which we will create a reader where important texts in the field are gathered. The most important theories of translation studies will be discussed and put into the context of contemporary discourse on translation with a view of seeing how they can be applied in research.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
An introduction to the collaboration and division of work between an editor and a graphic designer in the creation of printed work with emphasis on the importance of typography. Students will gain insight into the basis of typography and preparation for print as well as learning about the graphic designer's tools in context with principal kinds of print. The course will include readings and discourse on the influence of graphic design on legibility and understanding, as well as discourse on quality, usefulness, aesthetics and practicality in graphic design.
The student will present and hand in a written analysis on a printed good of their own choice and are also encouraged to actively participate in discussions in class. The final project consists of creating your own publishing project and communicate ideas on its editing grahpically and in writing.
MA-thesis in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication
Medical humanities is an interdisciplinary field of study that bridges medicine and the humanities, particularly literature, by focusing on narratives and the human body. This course explores key concepts and ideas in the medical humanities, examining the insights that literature and film offer into topics such as illness, pain, emotions, trauma, grief, and the relationships between patients and healthcare professionals. Central to the course is an exploration of the role of narrative in medicine, including an analysis of diverse narrative forms and the contrasting languages used by patients and doctors. Discussions will also cover the connections between storytelling and empathy, as well as how experiences of illness and trauma shape narratives. Emphasis will be placed on the phenomenology of illness, medical case studies, patient narratives, and the symbolic and cultural dimensions of illness as reflected in literature, film, and other art forms. Works analyzed in the course will include the novels Ból by Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, Stóri skjálfti by Auður Jónsdóttir, Lífsmörk by Ari Jóhannesson, Krabbaveislan by Hlynur Grímson; the films Still Alice, Wit, and Eiðurinn; as well as the autobiographies Ótuktin by Anna Pálína Árnadóttir and Ástin, dauðinn og drekinn by Vilborg Davíðsdóttir.
In this course students in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication work with creative writing students in preparing texts for publication, both in printed and digital form. The product of the course will be a text that has been prepared for publication.
Five students of Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication will be accepted; first come, first served.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
MA-thesis in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication
Training in various aspects of the writing and editing of scientific texts. Various kinds of texts (non-fiction) examined and evaluated. Training in reviewing and commenting on scientific texts and in other aspects of editorial work. The main emphasis will be on the writing of articles, but other kinds of texts will also be considered, both shorter (conference abstracts, reviews) and longer (theses, books), as well as research proposals. Discussion of guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts. Types of plagiarism and how to avoid them and find them. Texts on different subjects will be used as examples, especially writings in linguistics, literature and history. The book Skrifaðu bæði skýrt og rétt will be used as a textbook (Höskuldur Þráinsson 2015).
This course is open to students of many MA programmes in the School of Humanities, cf. the regulations of the individual subjects. Students in the MA programmes in Icelandic literature, Icelandic linguistics, Icelandic studies and Icelandic teaching can take the course as part of the MA course requirements in Icelandic literature or Icelandic linguistics. Students in the MA programme in Icelandic teaching can, however, not have this course as the only linguistics or literature course in their MA.
Constant technological development and emphasis on digital solutions has brought about frequent and numerous changes in the role of the webmaster. In this course, Efforts will be made to provide students with good insight into the main aspects of the webmaster's work. The writings of experts and scholars will be examined, and students will be introduced to the necessary tools and equipment. Professionals in the field will visit and share their experience with students.
The job of a web editor is often integrated with general web management. Students get a good insight into web editing and writing for digital media. The main aspects that a webmaster / web editor needs to be able to master will be discussed, such as information architecture, writing for the web, presentation of images, fundamentals in web design, accessibility, usability, security, analytics, content management systems (CMS), and basic web interface technology.
Students set up their own websites and use a CMS of their choice, e.g., WordPress or Wix, which are both available in free versions, and some of the assignments are submitted on there. In this way, students gain training in setting up a simple website. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that instruction in the use of the CMS is not part of the course. Those who have no or limited experience, in the use of CMS, are advised that YouTube has numerous videos where you can learn about the systems, from the basics to much more complex aspects that are expected in this course.
Introductory course in translation studies in which we will create a reader where important texts in the field are gathered. The most important theories of translation studies will be discussed and put into the context of contemporary discourse on translation with a view of seeing how they can be applied in research.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
An introduction to the collaboration and division of work between an editor and a graphic designer in the creation of printed work with emphasis on the importance of typography. Students will gain insight into the basis of typography and preparation for print as well as learning about the graphic designer's tools in context with principal kinds of print. The course will include readings and discourse on the influence of graphic design on legibility and understanding, as well as discourse on quality, usefulness, aesthetics and practicality in graphic design.
The student will present and hand in a written analysis on a printed good of their own choice and are also encouraged to actively participate in discussions in class. The final project consists of creating your own publishing project and communicate ideas on its editing grahpically and in writing.
MA-thesis in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication
Medical humanities is an interdisciplinary field of study that bridges medicine and the humanities, particularly literature, by focusing on narratives and the human body. This course explores key concepts and ideas in the medical humanities, examining the insights that literature and film offer into topics such as illness, pain, emotions, trauma, grief, and the relationships between patients and healthcare professionals. Central to the course is an exploration of the role of narrative in medicine, including an analysis of diverse narrative forms and the contrasting languages used by patients and doctors. Discussions will also cover the connections between storytelling and empathy, as well as how experiences of illness and trauma shape narratives. Emphasis will be placed on the phenomenology of illness, medical case studies, patient narratives, and the symbolic and cultural dimensions of illness as reflected in literature, film, and other art forms. Works analyzed in the course will include the novels Ból by Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, Stóri skjálfti by Auður Jónsdóttir, Lífsmörk by Ari Jóhannesson, Krabbaveislan by Hlynur Grímson; the films Still Alice, Wit, and Eiðurinn; as well as the autobiographies Ótuktin by Anna Pálína Árnadóttir and Ástin, dauðinn og drekinn by Vilborg Davíðsdóttir.
In this course students in Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication work with creative writing students in preparing texts for publication, both in printed and digital form. The product of the course will be a text that has been prepared for publication.
Five students of Practical Editorship and Theory of Publication will be accepted; first come, first served.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
A project is selected in consultation with a teacher, and that teacher must approve the student's research plans before she or he is permitted to register for a study of this kind.
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start.
Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
This qualification can open up opportunities in:
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
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