Survey of Music Business Fall 2007

MBU 1110.07 MC200B: 11-12:15PM TR
MBU 1110.08 MC103: 2-315 PM TR
MBU 1110.10 MC210: 12-12:50 MWF

Instructor: David A. Herrera: Office: 34 music square east. 2^nd Floor
Office Hours: Mon 2-5PM, Wed. 2-3PM, Fri. 2-4PM

Office Phone: 460-6908

Email:herrerad@mail.belmont.edu

FINAL EXAMS: Check www.belmont.edu. Then click on Academics / Registrar / final exam schedule

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 music business. Attention is given to the practical applications as well as the theoretical foundations and general overview of the industry. Guest Lecturers from the music industry may be utilized.

Course Objectives: This course is the foundation for all upper level music business courses. Upon completion of this course you should know the terminology and participants of the industry, their relationships and how the money flows from music consumers to music creators. This course will introduce the student to the multitude of job opportunities in the industry. After completion of the course you should

· Understand and identify the relationships and players of major revenue streams within the music business

· Have an basic introduction to copyright law with respect to the entertainment industry

· Understand the process of revenue generation through the exploitation of music.

· Have an basic introduction to major deal structures and money allocation within the music business

Performance Criteria

• Identify and describe the function of the major participants in the major revenue streams.
• Identify the typical percentage splits and cash flow between the major participants within the major revenue streams.
• Graph the flow of licensing requirements and revenue from the source to the artist, publisher, record company/content provider-distributor, and/or writer.
• Calculate basic mechanical royalty payments to publisher.
• Calculate basic expenses associated with a master recording session.
• Calculate basic break even scenarios for concert promoter, record company, and artist.

Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodations 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 Student Affairs (460-6407) as soon as possible.

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.”

Course Requirements

1. Attendance: "Belmont University is committed to the idea that regular class attendance is essential to successful scholastic achievement. Absence is permitted only in cases of illness or other legitimate cause. Attendance is checked from the first class meeting, so late registrants will have some absences accrued when they first meet a class. When the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week (25% of class meetings during summer term), the student is involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of “WF.” Appeal is to the Provost.” This and additional academic policies may be found in the online catalog. If you are not going to attend class you are expected to call or send an email in advance. This does not automatically excuse your absence.

2. Participation: Students are expected to come to class prepared to participate. This preparation includes having read any assigned materials before class. A passing participation grade requires the student to actively contribute to the class on a regular basis by asking "good" questions and otherwise participating in discussions. A participation grade will be assigned for every class.

3. Materials: TEXT: All You Need To Know About The Music Business. Author: Donald Passman

4. Class Communication: I will use your Belmont “pop” account. Belmont provides all students with an email account and this email address will be used to contact students. If you wish another email address, information on how to forward your Belmont email to other email accounts is available from the Information Service Department or Massey Computer Lab.

5. Web site for additional class materials: campus.belmont.edu/herrerad. This is not WEBCT site.

6. Testing/Assignments:

(A) Exams (6): 5 chapter exams and one Final exam will be given. Exams primarily cover lecture and all readings. Each exam is scored for 100 points and is comprised of 50 or more questions consisting of multiple choice/essay/short answer, or any combination thereof. Final exam is typically 100 comprehensive questions (or more) in accordance with the final exam schedule at the assigned time and place—NO FINAL EXAM will be given at any earlier time.

(B) There are NO MAKE UP EXAMS for any tests! At the instructor’s discretion, students with a test absence will have the final exam count double, triple or more: depending on the number of missed exams. An exception is made for official Belmont University Absences. Students may be tested on any portion of material presented in readings, web site or lecture at instructor’s discretion.

7. Grading Scale: A= 100 - 90; B= 89 - 80; C= 79 - 70; D= 69 - 60; F= Below 60. Grades will not be curved.

Exams 70 % / Participation 5% / Quiz-Homework 10% / Final Exam 15 % / TOTAL 100 %

Remember that pre-reading chapters before lecture will reinforce and clarify lecture material. It is best to review previous lecture notes before class or at least once a week. This will make testing easier for you. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE (Subject to change)