Course # / Title:	CRN 20345, AET 4380.01 - The Recording Engineer
Course Credit Hours:	3 hrs.
Semester:	Fall 2008
Instructor:	Jeff Balding
Instructor Contacts:	baldingj@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	By appointment
Class Location:	Ocean Way Studio, Studio C
Meeting Time(s):	Tuesday  6:30 pm – 9:15 pm and other times as required
Final Exam:	December 16, 2008, Ocean Way Studio C, 6:30 pm

Course Description: Prerequisites: AET 3090, and three hours from AET 3190, AET 3370, AET 4400, or AET 3560, and permission of instructor. A study of the many roles of the modern recording engineer. Topics include studio ownership and management, clients, unions, current tax laws, and the impact of electronic and acoustic innovations and patents. Research project and lab hours required

Course Outcomes:  At the end of this course the student will be able to:

ú demonstrate an understanding of accounting skills required in the role of the recording engineer.

ú identify industry delivery requirements, the importance of submitting accurate documentation, and the impact on getting paid for services rendered.

ú identify knowledge, management, and industry skills required in the role of a recording studio manager.

ú present a business plan proposal based on the student’s career choice as an audio professional.

ú examine the importance of building community in relationships, the classroom, and the music industry.

Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:

ú write and organize a weekly journal.

ú research and prepare pertinent questions for guest speakers.

ú plan and write a career business plan.

ú observe the analysis process psychologically and physiologically as provided through a live tracking session using industry professionals.

ú practice effective communication in the classroom and in the studio environment.

Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:

ú short-answer quizzes based on lectures and assigned readings.

ú a weekly class journal.

ú a midterm written exam.

ú a presentation of a 10 page business plan proposal.

ú a final written exam.

Testing & Assignments:

Activity	Credit	Purpose / Description
1.  Quizzes	15%	Based on reading assignments and lectures, weekly quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge base and understanding of the topic.  Quiz format will be multiple choice and short-answer.
2.  Journal	15%	Based on a weekly class journal kept by student. with a one-page minimum per class.  Journal entries are a one-page minimum reflective paper per class, typed, double-spaced, and a12-point standard Times New Roman font. A hard copy must be provided for the instructor.
3.  Midterm Written Exam	15%	Based on reading assignments and lectures, a comprehensive midterm test will assess the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the topic.  This test is comprised of a series of short essay questions.
4.  Business Plan Proposal	15%	A written minimum 10 page business plan proposal based on the career path of the individual student.  Allows students the opportunity to incorporate assigned readings, individual research, course lecture material, and assimilation of knowledge gained as applied to the supposition of a career interest.
5.  Oral Presentation	15%	a 15-minute oral presentation of your business plan proposal.
6.  Final Written Exam	25%	a comprehensive test of multiple-choice questions and short answers is used to measure the student’s composite knowledge of topics covered from lectures, readings, and class discussion.

Course & Classroom Policies:

Attendance & Participation:

Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted. Roll will be taken during every class. Points (%) will be deducted from the final grade for unexcused absences. 1 absence, 2 %; 2 absences, 4 %; 3 absences, 6 %; 4 absences, 8 %; 5 absences, the student will be dropped from the class with a failing grade (WF).

Materials:

Standard classroom materials such as a notebook and writing utensils will be needed.  A class journal with individual entries in duplicate is required.  One copy is to keep in an ongoing folder, and the other is to hand in. 

Assignments: You will need to check Blackboard each week before you come to class. You will be required to research and prepare questions for guest speakers.

Grade Evaluation:  As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:

Grade	Percent (GPA)
A	94 (4.0)
A-	90 (3.7)
B+	87 (3.3)
B	84 (3.0)
B-	80 (2.7)
C+	77 (2.3)
C	74 (2.0)
C-	70 (1.7)
Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major.
D+	67
D	64
D-	60
F	< 60

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.

Class Schedule:

Key Dates	Activity
Sept 2 - Tues	Introductions
Sept 9 - Tues	Creating a career plan
Sept 16 - Tues	An engineer’s story, guest, Chuck Ainley “Have a Vision”
Sept 23 - Tues	Invoicing, PO’s, rates, delivery requirements. guest, Alison Booth “Market Trends”
Sept 30 - Tues	Tax laws, bookkeeping, guest, Richard Curtis   CPA “Creating Your Niche” guest, Jed Hackett
Oct 7 - Tues	Fall Break – No Class
Oct 14 - Tues	Midterm Exam Rough draft of research project due: will meet with each student during class for 10-minute review of research paper draft.
Oct 21 - Tues	Class live tracking session
Oct 28 - Tues	Studio management and industry skills Guest speaker, Scott Phillips “Marketing Yourself & the Art of Networking”
Nov 4 - Tues	Class overdub session
Nov 11 - Tues	Class mixing session
Nov 18 - Tues	Class mixing session
Nov 25 - Tues	Mastering and tour of Master Mix guest, Hank Williams
Dec 2 - Tues	Class presentation of 6 research projects
Dec 9 - Tues	Class presentation of 6 research projects Turn in Journal: typed hard copy
Dec 16 - Tues	Final Exam, Ocean Way Studio C, 6:30 pm

*scheduled topics & guest speakers are subject to change