Course # / Title: EIS 2310.01 Entertainment Industry Economics
Semester: Fall 2008
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Wilgus
Contact: Office: MH 345, Phone: 460-6319, E-mail: wilgusj@mail.belmont.edu
Office Hours: M 10:00-12:00 & 5:15-6:15, W 10:00-12:00, R 10:00-2:00
All Other Times By Appointment
Course Credit: 3 Hours
Class Location: MC 414
Meeting Time(s): MW 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Final Exam: Monday, December 15th at 2:00 pm
“Ye can lead a man up to the university, but you can't make him think.”
Finley Peter Dunne
Course Description: EIS 2310. Entertainment Industry Economics (3). Prerequisite: EIS 1220. An introductory analysis of the market economy, focusing upon the principles, processes, and institutions that influence general economic behavior tied to case studies and examples of economic principles found in the entertainment industry (defined as theater, film, computer generated productions, music, live performances, the internet, the print industry, and mass media).
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:
ú define and/or explain economic concepts such as demand and supply, elasticity, revenues and costs relative to the entertainment industry.
ú describe, illustrate, interpret, and apply a variety of economic models used in the entertainment industry.
ú define, calculate, and interpret various economic measures impacting the entertainment industry.
ú analyze the benefits and costs of government intervention and assess the effect of piracy on the entertainment business today.
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:
ú written assignments and written responses on short answer exams.
ú in-class assignments.
ú group presentation and report of entertainment industry project.
Testing & Assignments:
Testing:
You should expect three in-class exams, including a comprehensive final. Each exam is worth 100 points. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given. In-class exams may consist of problems, graphs,
short-answer, and discussion questions. Each exam will be equally weighted at 20%. Thus, exams will account for 60% of your grade.
You are allowed one hand-written 4x6 index card to use on the exam. The card must be turned in with your exam. Any card larger than 4x6 or typed will automatically reduce your exam grade by one letter – i.e. you automatically lose 10 points on the exam.
Failure to take any of the required exams at the scheduled times may result in a score of zero. Unless otherwise stated, you are responsible for all text, lecture, and discussion material.
For a list of tentative test dates, see the last page of this syllabus.
Weekly Assignments:
Each week you will be assigned a set of questions and/or problems related to the course material. The assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments are unacceptable without a valid, verifiable excuse. The assignments will be based upon a 5 point scale. One assignment will be dropped. These assignments will account for 15% of your grade.
For a list of tentative due dates, see the last page of this syllabus.
Market Sector Report & Presentation
At the end of the semester you, a partner, or a group are expected to hand in an 8-10 page report (including citation page) on one firm or sector of the entertainment industry. The topic must be cleared with the instructor no later than October 1st. You are expected to provide information beyond the text and slides that will be covered in class. Additionally, tables and graphs of appropriate data are expected. More information regarding the format and allowable sources will be provided by the professor prior to fall break. The report will account for 15% of your grade.
You are to present the information gathered in your market sector report to the class in the final weeks of the semester. You may be as creative as you like for your presentation. The time limit is between 10 - 15 minutes. More information will be provided as the presentations draw near. The presentation will account for 10% of your grade.
The following table provides a break-down of your grade for the semester.
|
Activity |
Credit |
Purpose / Description |
|
Assignments |
15% |
Based on readings, lecture, and class discussions, the assignments will assess student knowledge of course topics. |
|
Exams |
60% |
Based on the readings, lectures, and class discussions, the exams will assess the level of student knowledge of course topics. Each exam may consist of problems, graphs, short-answer, and discussion questions. |
|
Market Sector Report |
15% |
Based upon knowledge gained throughout the semester, students are to prepare an 8-10 page report on an entertainment sector of interest. |
|
Market Sector Presentation |
10% |
Students will present the results of their market sector report. This presentation will display knowledge gained during the course. |
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.
Attendance is vital to your understanding of this course. Since weekly assignments will be given, cutting class may detrimentally impact your grade.
I reserve the right to assign an administrative WF to students who accumulate absences in excess of four times the number of class meetings per week as prescribed in the university catalog.
Materials:
Vogel, Harold L. Entertainment Industry Economics: A Guide for Financial Analysis, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
PowerPoint Slides available on Blackboard
Calculator – cell phones are not acceptable calculators
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 (1.3) |
|
D |
64 (1.0) |
|
D- |
60 (0.7) |
|
F |
< 60 (0) |
Classroom Policies:
All university and college rules and policies of Belmont University will be observed in this course. Please see the Belmont University 2008-2009 Catalog and Belmont Website for policies on course adds/drops, incompletes, final exams, nondiscrimination, disruptive behavior, and cheating/plagiarism.
There are certain expectations that I have concerning your responsibilities and your behavior in this class that I think need to be stated up-front so that we can minimize any potential misunderstandings throughout the semester. I expect:
1. that you read the syllabus and that you make yourself aware of all the requirements and deadlines associated with the class. Saying “I didn’t read the syllabus” will not be accepted as an excuse for failing to meet requirements and deadlines.
2. all electronic devices (computers, cell phones, pagers, Ipods, etc...) to be turned OFF during class.
3. that you will put forth effort in learning the material covered in this class. Although you are not required to attend every class you are required to learn the material somehow in order to get a passing grade for this class. I expect that you at least look over the assigned material in the textbook before each class so that you know what we will be discussing.
4. that if you are having problems with the class that you will come talk to me about them. I have an open door policy. The sooner you come the better off you’ll be. There is little or nothing I can do to help at the end of the course so do not wait until then to see me.
5. that you behave with honesty and integrity. Cheating is not acceptable under any circumstance. I will not tolerate cheating in my class and anyone caught cheating will receive an automatic “F” for the class and will be sent to the Office of Student Affairs for possible disciplinary action.
6. that you behave appropriately in class. My job is to teach you in the classroom and I cannot do that effectively if people are checking email and surfing online, reading the newspaper, sleeping, coming in late, or in any other way disturbing me or other students in the classroom.
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: (any changes in the schedule will be announced in class)
Date |
Class Topic |
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES |
|
W 8/27 |
Introduction & Syllabus |
|
|
M 9/01 |
Labor Day Holiday – No Classes!! |
|
|
W 9/03 |
Chapter 1 – Economic Perspective |
|
|
M 9/08 |
|
Assignment 1 – Economic Perspective |
|
W 9/10 |
Chapter 2 – Basic Elements |
|
|
M 9/15 |
|
Assignment 2 – Basic Elements |
|
W 9/17 |
Chapter 10 – Toys & Games |
|
|
M 9/22 |
Chapter 12 – Sports |
Assignment 3 – Toys & Games |
|
W 9/24 |
|
|
|
M 9/29 |
Review for Exam 1 |
Assignment 4 – Sports |
|
W 10/1 |
Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 10, 12 |
|
|
M 10/06 |
Fall Break – No Classes!! |
|
|
W 10/08 |
Fall Break – No Classes!! |
|
|
M 10/13 |
Chapter 3 – Movie Macroeconomics |
|
|
W 10/15 |
|
|
|
M 10/20 |
Chapter 4 – Making & Marketing Movies |
Assignment 5 – Movie Macroeconomics |
|
W 10/22 |
|
|
|
M 10/27 |
Chapter 5 – Financial Accounting in Movies |
Assignment 6 – Making & Marketing Movies |
|
W 10/29 |
Review for Exam 2 |
|
|
M 11/03 |
Exam 2 – Chapters 3-5 |
|
|
W 11/05 |
Chapter 6 – Music |
|
|
M 11/10 |
|
Assignment 7 – Music |
|
W 11/12 |
Chapter 13 – Performing Arts & Culture |
|
|
M 11/17 |
|
Assignment 8 – Performing Arts & Culture |
|
W 11/19 |
Chapter 11 – Gaming & Wagering |
|
|
M 11/24 |
|
Assignment 9 – Gaming & Wagering |
|
W 11/26 |
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes!! |
|
|
M 12/01 |
Presentations |
|
|
W 12/03 |
Presentations |
|
|
M 12/08 |
Presentations |
|
|
W 12/10 |
Academic Preparation Day – No Classes!! |
|
|
M 12/15 |
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM - 2:00 PM |
|