Course Title: SURVEY OF MUSIC BUSINESS

 

Course #:  MBU 3520 Credit Hrs:  3 hours 

 

Semester:  Fall 2008

 

Instructor:      Dr. Cheryl L. Slay

 

Instructor Contacts:   225 Barbara Massey Bldg.

                                    Phone: 615-460-6534

                                    Email:  slayc@mail.belmont.edu

 

Office Hours:              Tues., Thurs. – 3:30-600: pm; Other times available by appointment.

 

Class Location:           MC200B         

 

Meeting Time:                        9:30-10:45am, T-TR

 

                                   

FINAL EXAM:           December 16, 2008, 8:00 AM (Tuesday)       

 

                                               

Course Description:  This course is a general overview and a study of the major functional areas of the music business. Attention is given to the theoretical foundations and practical application of current business practices in the music industry including supporting organizations and the revenue flow from music consumer to creator. (www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2007jun/cemb/courses.html)

 

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

·   Identify the key participants in and the process of how commercial value is created within the revenue systems of the music business.

·   Identify and apply  the foundations of basic copyright law and the representative licenses needed for the monetization of the music revenue streams

·   Examine and identify the basic deal structures and terminology within the revenue systems  of the music business

·   Apply basic calculations representative of the revenue systems of the music business system.


Performance Tasks (PT):  During this course, the student will:

1.    Describe and diagram the basic components of the  music business revenue streams and their relationship to one another.

2.    Identify typical agreements, personnel, and terminology used within the music business

3.    Recognize applicable copyright law within the music business

4.    Calculate basic  studio and concert production budgets, record royalty payments, and  publisher/songwriter shares, and mechanical royalty calculations under the statutory and controlled composition clauses

5.    Compare and evaluate the possible effects of new technologies, Internet marketing, and other emerging trends on the existing revenue model

 

Assessment Tools:
During this course, outcome mastery will be evaluated by five tests based on the lecture and assigned readings.  Weekly quizzes, in the form of multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching  or essay questions or problems will also be used to assess the student’s recall and understanding of the material. Additionally, research paper will be assigned to measure your understanding, application and analysis of an approved topic.  At the instructor’s discretion, this assignment may take the form of a depth interview with an approved industry professional.

 

Testing & Assignments:

Activity

Credit

Purpose/Description

1.  Comprehensive Tests (4)

60%

Four chapter exams and one Final exam will be given. Exams primarily cover lecture and readings assigned. Each exam is scored for 100 points and is comprised of 50 or more questions consisting of multiple choice/essay/short answer/diagramming, or any combination thereof.

2.  Research Paper

10 %

A five page o longer  paper that will demonstrate the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from original research (including interviews of industry professionals), lectures, and readings. Must be written in APA or MLA style using a minimum of 5 verifiable reference sources and 10-12 point font/single spaced.

5.  Final Exam

30 %

A comprehensive test comprising multiple-choice questions that will measure the depth of the student’s knowledge base gained from lectures and readings. The 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.

**There are NO MAKEUP EXAMS for any tests!  Students with an excused test absence will have the final exam count for the missed exam.  Absences must be excused by the Office of the Provost.  The Final Exam is Mandatory.

 

Research Paper:  Each student will prepare a five (5) page research paper (12 pt. font, double spaced), on an approved topic of interest presented in written format and approved by instructor prior to Fall Break.  The format is either APA, or MLA format at student’s discretion.  Final paper is due by Nov. 25, the class before Thanksgiving Break.  Topics should relate to class discussion and overall Music Business model presented in class, but should narrow down to one aspect that might be covered in detail – per the student’s interest.

 

 

COURSE AND CLASSROOM POLICIES:

 

1.  Attendance:  Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.  Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted. As provided by the Undergraduate Bulletin: “When the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week, a student will be involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of WF.” If you are not present at the beginning of class when attendance is taken, you will be counted as absent. You do not need to inform me of the reason for absences and it is solely your responsibility to keep up with your absences. Absences can only be excused in writing by the Provost (professors do not have authority to excuse absences). 

 

2.  Materials:  The text books to be used will be: REQUIRED -- Off the Record: How the Music Business Really Works, Larry Wacholtz, © 2008; and, RECOMMENDED -- All You Need to Know About the Music Business, Donald Passman, 6th edition, © 2006. Additional reading materials may be assigned in class, by e-mail and/or posted on the course webpage.  You will need pen and paper to take notes and a No. 2 pencil for tests.

 

3. Basis of grade evaluation:

 

Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin --   

 

(97–100) = A+      (87-89) = B+    (77-79) = C+    (67-69) = D+                     

(93– 96)  = A        (83-86) = B       (73-76) = C      (63-66) = D

(92–90)  = A-        (80-82) = B-     (70-72) = C-     (60-62) = D-

                                                                           <  60    = F

 

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.”

 

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 for the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students in the Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

 

Electronic Device Policy: You are generally free to use notebook computers or other electronic devices (e.g., PDAs, etc.) in class to take notes. However, any use of such devices that is disruptive to the class may be prohibited. The use of any electronic and/or digital device during exams or assignments is strictly prohibited.  Cell phone use (i.e., calling and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, etc.) in class is prohibited since such activity can be disruptive to other students.

 

 

Class Schedule:  The following is a tentative class schedule for coverage of the material in the course.  It is considered tentative as I reserve the right to adjust the schedule based upon the material, amount of participation, and unforeseen events that may alter the schedule.

 

PROPOSED CLASS SCHEDULE

 

DATES

SUBJECT

READING; REFERENCES

 

 

 

8/28

Introduction; Creative Systems

Syllabus; Wacholtz, pp 22-23

9/2

Business Systems, Advisors, and Participants

Wacholtz, pp 24-26

9/2; 4

Entity Types (LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships); Entrepreneurship; Revenue Streams

Wacholtz, pp 28-29

9/9; 14

Overview of Revenue Streams; Copyrights -- The Exclusive Rights

Wacholtz, pp. 30-31; 45; Passman pp 197-205

9/16; 23

Copyright Legislative History

Wacholtz, pp. 45-55

9/23; 25

 

Defining Copyrights; Authorship; Ownership

Wacholtz pp. 57-63; Passman pp. 285-300

9/30

Exam #1

 

10/2

Copyright Ownership

Wacholtz pp. 57-63; Passman pp. 285-300

10/7

Fall Break

 

10/9

Copyright Ownership; Duration; Copyright Registration & Notice

Wacholtz pp. 57-63; Passman pp. 270; 285-300; 310-312

10/14

Copyright Registration; International Copyright

Wacholtz pp. 57-63 Passman pp. 285-300; 310-312

10/16; 21

Copyright Infringement & Defenses (e.g., Fair Use)

Wacholtz pp. 57-63; Passman pp. 312-313

10/23

Songwriting; Emotional communication; Deals

Wacholtz pp. 72-79; Passman pp. 250- 269

10/28

Songwriting Deals & Music Publishing

Wacholtz pp. 79-88; 100; Passman pp. 206-249; 273-284

10/30

Exam #2

 

11/4

Music Publishing; Licensing

Wacholtz pp. 79-88; 90-94; Passman pp. 206-249; 273-284

11/4; 11/6

Licensing & Performance Rights Organizations

Wacholtz pp. 95-104; Passman pp. 224-228

11/6; 11/11

Record Labels, Contracts & Deals

Passman pp. 61-196; Wacholtz pp. 124-131; 138-176

11/13

Recording Processes and Studios; Unions

Wacholtz pp. 187-211

11/18

Distribution; Internet Models of Distribution

Wacholtz pp. 131-137

11/20

Exam #3

 

11/25

Concert Promotion/Tours; Merchandising and Marketing;

Wacholtz pp. 234-242; Passman, pp. 339-376; 

 

 

 

11/25

Artist Management; Management Contracts; Measuring Artistic Success (Charts, SoundScan)

Wacholtz pp. 222-234; Passman pp. 11-53

11/25

Essays Due

 

11/27

Thanksgiving Break

 

12/2

Mainstream Industry & Participants

Wacholtz, pp. 114-123

12/4

Exam #4

 

12/9

Emerging Business Models; Genre Business Issues (if schedule permits)

 

Wacholtz, pp. 245-253; Passman, pp. 377-380

 

* FINAL EXAM – SEE P. 1 OF SYLLABUS FOR FINAL EXAM DATES*