MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course #/Title:                     MBU 3450, Music Publishing        

Course Credit Hours         3

Semester:                             Fall 2008

Instructor:                            James I. Elliott, M.A.

Instructor Contacts:          460-5513, elliottj@mail.belmont.edu

                                                Office location: 34 Music Square East, 214

Instructor Office Hours:    Monday – 8:00-10:00, 2:30-4:00, Tuesday – 9:30-

                                                12:30, Wednesday – 8:00-9:30

Class Location:                  MC 200A

Meeting Times:                   MBU 3450.02 – 12:00-12:50

                                                MBU 3450.03 – 1:00-1:50

Final Exam:                          MBU 3450.02 – Tue. Dec 16 @ 11:00

                                                MBU 3450.03 – Fri. Dec. 12 @ 2:00        

 

Course Description:

 

A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company, demo sessions and licensing.

 

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

 

·         Explain what music publishers do

·         Explain the revenue streams of music publishers

·         Identify the major tenets of songwriter contracts

·         Explain the creative and administrative tasks of music publishers

·         Discuss how musical works are exploited

·         Explain how musical works are licensed

·         Compare the Performing Rights Organizations in the U.S.

 

Performance Tasks: Students this course, the student will:

 

·         Describe the income streams of music publishers

·         Identity the major global music publishers

·         Describe how musical works are licensed by music publishers

·         Differentiate between single song and exclusive songwriter contracts

·         Describe how music publishers secure uses of their copyrights

·         Solve research problems through the application of music publishing industry methods.

·         Demonstrate the methods utilized by the Performing Rights Organizations to collect and distribute performance royalties

 

 

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

 

·         Written responses comprising short answer and original short-form essays

·         True and False and multiple-choice tests

·         Written analysis of original research of music publishing issues

·         Verbal presentation of research findings

·         Group discussion of music publishing licensing and legal issues

 

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

 

Activity

Credit

Purpose/Description

1. Comprehensive Tests (2)

40 %

Based on reading assignments, lectures, assigned websites, comprehensive tests will asses the depth of knowledge of the base topic. Each test is comprised of True & False, Fill-in-the-blank questions supplemented by short-answer essay questions. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN

2. Research Speech

20%

Each student is required to prepare and present a three to five minute speech on some aspect of music publishing. The speech should be an informative speech delivered extemporaneously from a prepared outline. The student may choose any subject matter that relates to music publishing with the exception of an overview of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, NMPA or HFA. A paper on a specific area of a PRO may be permissible, i.e. comparing the Internet licensing of the PROs. Other options for research include copyright legislation, international music publishing issues, industry trade groups, specific publishing companies, new media publishing issues, etc. Speech topics must be submitted to the professor on or before October22. If another student has already taken the topic submitted, you will receive an email from the professor informing you that another topic must be chosen. An outline of the speech must be submitted to the professor on Monday, November 10. A minimum of three sources is required and must be cited on the outline. The course textbook may not be used as one of the three sources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Research Reports

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class Schedule.  The combined 3 reports are worth 20% of your grade. Each report must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing stapled to a one to two page typed analysis of the article written by the student. Suggested print and online sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, The Tennessean, Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Your paper should give a brief description of the article’s main points and how it relates to Music Publishing (If not obvious).  If it is not related to music publishing in any way, it will be given a zero. These reports will assess the student’s ability to identify and explain the activities of music publishers and the current issues they are facing. 

1) MUST be typed and at least one page (single or double-spaced).

2) MUST be stapled. (No bending of corners or paper clips).

3) MUST include a copy of the article.  I need a copy of the article, NOT a web link.

4) MUST be turned in at class – No e-mailed papers will be accepted.

5) MUST include your name.

6) MUST NOT BE LATE. 

These reports will be discussed in class

4.  Final Exam

20 %

A comprehensive test comprising multiple-choice question that will measure the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the topic and short-answer questions that will assess the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from lectures and readings.

 

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.

 

Cell Phones and Computers:        All cell phones; ipods and other hand-held electronics devices must be turned off during class. Computers are permitted in the classroom for note taking only.

 

Materials:

 

 1. Music, Money and Success by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec, 6th Edition, Schirmer Books.

 2. Websites listed on class schedules

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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:

 

Wed.   Aug. 27           Introduction/class syllabus

Fri.      Aug. 29           Music Publishing History

Mon.    Sept. 1             Labor Day Holiday – No class        

Wed.   Sept. 4             Music Publishers and What They Do                     Read pages 1-11

                                    Inner Workings of a Music Publisher

                                    Songwriter-Music Publisher Relationship

Fri.      Sept. 5             Income sources for Music Publishers                    Read pages 30-56

Mon.    Sept. 8             Deal proposals/Songwriter contracts                    Read Chapter 2        

Wed.   Sept. 10          Co-Publishing and Administration             

Fri.      Sept. 12          Co-Ventures and Joint Ventures                 Read Chapter 3

Mon.    Sept. 15          Copyright Law                                                           Read Chapter 4

Wed.   Sept. 17          Recording Artist Publishing Agreements   Read Chapter 5

                                    Print Licensing                                                          www.ccli.com

Fri.      Sept. 19          Mechanical Licensing                                                pages 485-486

www.nmpa.org/hfa

                                    Sampling                                                        Read Chapter 6

Mon.    Sept. 22          Test 1

Wed.   Sept. 24          Music, Money, and Television                      Read Chapter 7

                                    Television series license                              pages 472-474

Fri.      Sept. 26          Music, Money, and Motion Pictures                        Read Chapter 8

                                    Motion picture license                                              pages 468-471

Mon.    Sept. 29          Music, Money, and commercials                  Read Chapter 9

                                    Advertising commercial license                   pages 475-478

Wed.   Oct. 1               Performing Rights Organizations                Read Chapter 10

                                    ASCAP                                                             www.ascap.com        

Fri.      Oct. 3               BMI                                                                 www.bmi.com

Oct. 6 – 10                  FALL BREAK

 

Mon.    Oct. 13                        SESAC                                                             www.sesac.com

Wed.   Oct. 15                        Mid Term

Fri.      Oct. 17                        Discuss Research Reports                                    Research # 1 Due

Mon.    Oct. 20                        Music, Money, and Broadway                      Read Chapter11

Wed.   Oct. 22                        Music, Money, Internet, Video Games,        Read Chapter 12

                                    Cell Phones, and New Media                                    pages 481-484

                                                                                                            Speech Topics Due

Fri.      Oct. 24                        Music, Money, and Foreign Countries        Read Chapter 13

                                                                                                            www.wipo.org

                                                                                                            www.ifpi.com

Mon.    Oct. 27                        Subpublishing agreements                                     

Wed.   Oct. 29                        Putting It All Together                                              Read Chapter 14

                                    Royalty Accounting

Fri.      Oct. 31                        Discuss Research Reports                                    Research # 2 Due

Mon.    Nov. 3             Music, Money, and the Buying                     Read Chapter 15

                                    And Selling of Songs

Wed.   Nov. 5             Catalog Acquisition              

Fri.      Nov. 7             Songplugging                                    

Mon.    Nov. 10           Speeches                                                       Speech outlines

Wed.   Nov. 12           Speeches

Fri.      Nov. 14           Speeches

Mon.    Nov. 17           Speeches

Wed.   Nov. 19           Demo Budgets & planning - AFM

Fri.      Nov. 21           Guest Speaker                      

Mon.    Nov. 24           From Demo to Hit – Listening to songs     

Nov. 26 – 28              THANKSGIVING BREAK

Mon.    Dec. 1              Marketing strategies for Music Publishers

Wed.   Dec. 3              Starting a Music Publishing company        

Fri.      Dec. 5              Discuss Research Reports                                    Research # 3 Due

Mon.    Dec. 8              Review for final exam

 

           

 

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