MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: Music Publishing:
Course # MBU 3450.01 – 11:00-11:50 MWF
& Meeting Times: Final Exam: Thursday December 11 @ 11:00
Credit Hrs: 3
Semester: Fall 2008
Class Location: MC 200A
Professor: Michael Puryear
Contact: puryearm@mail.belmont.edu
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 Purpose/Direction Credit
1. 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
2. Comprehensive Tests (2 @ 20@ each) 40%
Based on reading assignments, lectures, assigned websites, comprehensive tests will asses the depth of the student’s knowledge of the base topic. Each test is comprised of True & False, Multiple choice, Fill-in-the-blank questions supplemented by short-answer essay questions. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.
1. 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 the topic submitted has already been taken by another student, 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.
4. Final Exam: 20%
A comprehensive test comprising True & False and multiple-choice questions that will measure the depth of a student’s knowledge base of the topic and short-answer questions that will asses the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from lectures, readings and research.
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.
6. 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
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.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
© 2008 Belmont University