SYLLABUS
Course Title: MBU 1110.05 - SURVEY OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS (3)
Semester: Fall 2007
Location: Massy Center 200A
Instructor: Mark Volman, B.A.,M.F.A.
Phone/Fax: 615-794-5801
E-mail: volmanm@mail.belmont.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
Meeting Time: Tuesday & Thursday - 8:00AM – 9:15AM
Final Exam: Thursday - 12/6 - 8AM
Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music: 1) To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise and entrepreneurship. 2) To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments. 3) To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.
Course Description: A study of the major areas of Music Business. Attention is given to the practical application as well as the theoretical foundations. Provide an In-depth study of the Music related organizations and a general overview of the Entertainment Industry.
Performance criteria: 1. Provide and assess the information necessary to compete in the music industry; 2. Explain the areas where music and business intersect; 3. Explain career possibilities in the music industry; 4. Analyze the business-related knowledge and skills necessary for effectively maintaining a professional music career; 5. Compare the vocabulary and terminology of the music industry and the distinction between music and business at the corporate level.
Learning Outcomes: Through homework, quizzes and a student driven research driven project, the students will synthesize all course outcome through understanding of common business practices related to the complex study of music business and Entertainment related topics.
Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code. “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that 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.”
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 the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.
Attendance: Missing classes are UNACCEPTABLE and WILL affect your final grade. Lectures are only given once, and it is the students responsibility to obtain any missed notes from a fellow student. You are responsible for all material covered in class and class readings.. MISSED CLASSES WILL LOWER YOUR GRADE.
Notebook: Students should keep a notebook. You will want to keep a notebook of this material, which will not be available in the textbook. It could be on the quizzes.
Textbooks: “All You Need to know about the Music Business”
By: Donald Passman
"All Area Access - Intro to the Music Business" – A Workbook
by: Mark Volman
Grading Procedure: There will be 5 quizzes given during the semester based on weekly lectures. Each quiz is worth points that accumulate till the end of the year. If the student misses a quiz, there are no make up quizzes given,
Term paper: You will be required to complete a research paper. This paper will be a minimum of 10 pages long and will be due the day of the Final Exam. This paper must include a bibliography of at least five sources. An outline of your paper is not optional and will be worth points toward your final grade. You are required to complete an outline and it is due by April 3rd. The outline should include:
· The topic/thesis (must be "music business" related)
· Your expected content…in outline form
· A summary of sources you plan to use (at least 5 sources)
· What you hope to learn from this paper
The research paper will be due on the day of your final exam.
The research paper should include:
· Technical requirements:
1). Must be typed!
2). Minimum 10 pages
3). 12 pt. "Times" font
4). Margins: 1" top and bottom; 1.25" left and right
· Your outline (attached to the back of your paper)
· It should follow your outline content
· Bibliography with at five sources
Some suggested Thesis/Topics for Term Paper:
1. An interview with a person(s) in the music industry (i.e. managers, agents, producers, business managers, artists, record company executives, A& R person, promotion, etc.). This paper should have a thesis related to an area of the business that personally interests you.
2. A research paper on a group or solo artist including the inception and pitfalls of their music business career. This does not need to be a successful musical artist, just a "real" story of an artist, songwriter, etc. This is not to be a biography on the artist.
Homework Assignments: There also will be homework assignments given for more point credit.
Grading Scale: Final grades will be points accumulated from: attendance, homework, quizzes, extra credit, and your final paper.
95 -100% = A 90 - 94% = A-
85 - 89% = B+ 80 - 84% = B
77 - 79% = B- 74 - 76% = C+
69 - 73% = C 65 - 68% = C-
60 - 64% = D+ 56 - 59% = D
50 - 55% = D- Below 50% = Fail
Topics and Lectures: This schedule is subject to change, but we will try and cover:
8/23 Opening - Terms
8/28 Terms - Business Systems - Corporations
8/30 Income/Expenses - Personal manager
9/4 Manager - Business Manager/Bookkeeper - Attorneys
9/6 Agents – Analyze management Contract
9/11 Label Departments - quiz
9/13 Major Versus Indies - Starting Your Own Label
9/18 Types of Record deals - Controlled Composition,
9/20 Analyze record contract - Demo Diversity - Recording terms
9/25 Recording Team, Etiquette
9/27 NO CLASS
10/2 The jobs of the Record Producer - quiz
10/4 Pre-Production & the Creative Budget
10/9 Creative & Business Budget,
10/11 NO CLASS
10/16 Business Budgets - Breaking Even
10/18 Publicity, Press Kits
10/23 Promoting to the Radio – Internet Web Design
10/25 Partnerships – Trademarks - quiz
10/30 Copyrights
11/1 Touring team
11/6 tips for the road – Finding Shows & Contract Riders
11/8 Planning the Show, What Artist and Promoter should look out for
11/13 Publishing Deals – What publishers do - Performing Rights Organization
11/15 Songwriting Form - quiz
11/20 Inspiration – Ideas
11/22 THANKSGIVING
11/27 Poetic Devices - Writing Principals
11/29 Themes of Love
12/4 Networking, Career Planning, Final overview
12/6 Final Quiz and Final Paper Due