Instructor:                    Mr. Pat McMakin

Contact:                            Phone: 513-5470

 E-Mail:                             mcmakinp@mail.belmont.edu

Credit/Class location:         3 Hours/Center for Music Business, Massey B25

Class/Lab time(s):              8:00-8:50am MWF

                                                                       

Class Webpage:               http://campus.belmont.edu/bullaw/MBU138.html    

 

Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music: 1) To provide a personalized career-oriented and practical educational program in Music Business administration emphasizing the four themes of leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.  2) To equip students with the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and make enlightened judgments about their environment. 3) To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of caring, Christian principles.

 

Course Description:  A study of the major areas of recording technology as related to the music industry.  The student receives an overview of analog and digital technology with attention to its innovations, history, and effect on the music industry.

 

Learning Outcomes:  1) To provide students with a basic knowledge of how the modern recording studio functions.  2) Emphasis is placed on understanding and problem solving designed to optimize students' awareness of the real life demands of the professional recording business.

 

Performance Criteria: 1) Identify major historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance.  2) Define, interpret, and apply a technical language for the development of effective communication skills within the music business industry.  3) Observe recording sessions and apply course concepts by composing reports using effective writing.  4) Assess the quality of audio and recording techniques developed by using critical listening skills. 5) Demonstrate basic signal flow through creating a final mix of a recorded audio project. 6) Synthesize course outcomes by creating 1) a final recording project or 2) a class presentation of a new idea, product, or concept.

Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify Tammye Tanksley, Director of Counseling & Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Course Requirements:

Text & Materials:  Audio in Media, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth. 

America on Record; A History of Recorded Sound, 2nd Edition, Andre Millard, Cambridge Press.                           

A class notebook/binder and several blank CD-R’s for class projects will be needed.

 

Attendance: As per current Undergraduate Bulletin at:

http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/index.html

 

Participation:  All students are expected to prepare and contribute to class discussions.  Specific class activities, topics, lecture notes, reminders, and reviews are updated weekly using WEBCT.  Additional class readings and website links are available on the class website link noted above. 

 

Required Assignments: Reading and study of textbook chapter assignments as noted in the daily class schedule.  Additional material given via handouts and class lectures on PowerPoint require an organized class notebook/binder.  Observation of four recording sessions at designated intervals with detailed reports will be necessary.   Additionally, all students will complete Part 1 of the lab tutorial and record a final project (Part 2 of tutorial) or prepare a collaborative presentation.

 

Testing & Quizzes:  All test dates are noted in the class schedule.  Quizzes are unannounced.  No makeup tests or makeup quizzes will be given.  The final exam is comprehensive.  Test dates maybe subject to change with exception of the final exam.  No electronic devices of any kind maybe used during exams.

 

Honor Code:  It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code.

As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors, which compromise value.  In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System.  Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work.  Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:

 

“I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

 

Evaluation:              Tests 1-4 @ 100 points each                       =   400 Points  40%

                               Studio Observations 4 @ 30 points each      =   120 Points  12%

                               Lab Tutorial, Part I                                     =     90 Points   9%

                               Quizzes 4 @ 10 points each                        =     40 Points   4%

                               RCA-B Tour (required)                                 =     50 Points   5%

                               Final Project or Presentation                        =   120 Points  12%

                               Final Exam                                                 =   180 Points  18%      

                                                                     GRAND TOTAL  =  1,000 Points 100%

Grading Scale:

Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin located at:

http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/ap_as.html

 

A   = 970-1000        B+ = 870-928          C+ = 770-799          D+ = 670-699               F = BELOW 600                                               

A   = 930-969          B  =  830-869         C  = 730-769            D   = 630-669

A-  = 900-929          B- =  800-829         C- = 700-729            D-  = 600-629                                         

 

Extra Credit: An opportunity to earn extra credit in the total amount of 4% added to your cumulative average is given twice during the semester.

Key Dates

 

Activity

 

Aug 23 – Wed

Intro

 

Sept 4 – Mon

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – No class

 

Sept 15 – Fri

TEST #1 & Observation # 1 Due

 

Oct 9 – Mon

TEST #2 & Observation # 2 Due

 

Oct 11 - Wed

Lab Tutorial Part 1 Due

 

Oct 12&13 R-Fri

FALL BREAK

 

Nov 3 – Fri

TEST #3 & Observation # 3 Due

 

Nov 22-24 Wed-Fri

Thanksgiving Vacation

 

Dec 1 - Fri

TEST #4 & Observation # 4 Due

 

Dec 4 – Mon

Last Day of Class – Final Projects Due

 

Dec 11 – Mon

TBA

 

Dec 7 - Thurs