SYLLABUS
Course Title: MBU 1110.07 - SURVEY OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS (3)
Semester: Spring 2007
Location: Massy 103
Instructor: Mark Volman, B.A.,M.F.A.
Phone/Fax: 615-794-5801
E-mail:
volmanm@mail.belmont.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
Meeting Time: Tuesday &
Thursday - 8:00AM – 9:15AM
Final Exam: May 3
Educational Objectives of the
Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music: 1) To provide a
personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes
leadership, innovation, private enterprise and entrepreneurship. 2) To equip students with the tools
to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make
successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments. 3) To emphasize
quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian
principles.
Course Description: A study of
the major areas of Music Business. Attention is given to the practical
application as well as the theoretical foundations. Provide an In-depth study
of the Music related organizations and a general overview of the Entertainment
Industry.
Performance criteria: 1.
Provide and assess the information necessary to compete in the music industry;
2. Explain the areas where music and business intersect; 3. Explain career
possibilities in the music industry; 4. Analyze the business-related knowledge
and skills necessary for effectively maintaining a professional music career;
5. Compare the vocabulary and
terminology of the music industry and the distinction between music and business
at the corporate level.
Learning Outcomes:
Through homework, quizzes and a student driven research driven project, the
students will synthesize all course outcome through understanding of common
business practices related to the complex study of music business and
Entertainment related topics.
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.
Attendance:
Missing classes are UNACCEPTABLE
and WILL affect your final grade. Lectures are only given once, and it is the
students responsibility to obtain any missed notes from a fellow student. You are responsible for all material covered
in class and class readings.. MISSED
CLASSES WILL LOWER YOUR GRADE.
Notebook: Students should keep a notebook. You will want to keep a notebook of this
material, which will not be available in the textbook. It could be on the quizzes.
Textbooks: “All You need to know about the
Music Business”
By: Donald Passman
"All Area Access - Intro to the Music
Business"
by: Mark Volman
Grading Procedure: There will be 5 quizzes given during the
semester based on weekly lectures. Each
quiz is worth points that accumulate till the end of the year. If the student misses a quiz, there are no
make up quizzes given,
Term paper: You
will be required to complete a research paper.
This paper will be a minimum of
10 pages long and will be due the day of the Final Exam. This paper must include a bibliography of at
least five sources. An outline of your
paper is not optional and will be worth points toward your final grade. You are
required to complete an outline and it is due by April 3rd. The outline should include:
·
The
topic/thesis (must be "music business" related)
·
Your
expected content…in outline form
·
A
summary of sources you plan to use (at least 5 sources)
·
What
you hope to learn from this paper
The
research paper will be due on the day of your
final exam.
The research paper should include:
·
Technical
requirements:
1). Must be
typed!
2). Minimum 10 pages
3). 12 pt.
"Times" font
4). Margins: 1" top and bottom; 1.25" left and
right
·
Your
outline (attached to the back of your paper)
·
It
should follow your outline content
·
Bibliography
with at five sources
Some suggested Thesis/Topics for Term Paper:
1.
An interview with a person(s) in the music industry (i.e. managers,
agents, producers, business managers, artists, record company executives,
A& R person, promotion, etc.). This
paper should have a thesis related to an area of the business that personally
interests you.
2.
A research paper on a group or solo artist including the inception and
pitfalls of their music business career. This does not need to be a successful musical
artist, just a "real" story of an artist, songwriter, etc. This is not to be a
biography on the artist.
3. Compare and contrast radio formats. Use a minimum of six different styles and
examine the techniques of how they successfully make themselves different (i.e.
programming, sales, promotion).
Interview a radio disc jockey, music director, etc.
4. A research
paper of one song from any period in rock.
You may relate the song to the history of rock. You should consider:
*Lyrics
and/ or the music. *Background vocals *Success
*Instrumentation *Form *Social
implications
*Solo
vs. ensemble *Video
*Placement
of song on album *Marketing
Homework
Assignments: There also will be homework assignments given
for more point credit.
Grading
Scale: Final grades will be
points accumulated from: attendance, homework, quizzes, extra credit, and your
final paper.
96 -100%
= A 90 -
95% = A-
85 - 89%
= B+ 80
- 84% = B
77 - 79%
= B- 74
- 76% = C+
69 - 73%
= C 65
- 68% = C-
60 - 64%
= D+ 56
- 59% = D
50 - 55%
= D- Below
50% = Fail
Topics and Lectures: This
schedule is subject to change, but we will try and cover:
1/11 Opening - Terms
1/16 Terms - Business Systems -
Corporations
1/18 Income/Expenses - Personal
manager
1/23 Manager
- Business Manager/Bookkeeper - Attorneys
1/25 Agents – Analyze management
Contract - quiz
1/30 Label Departments
2/1 Major Versus Indies -
Starting Your Own Label
2/6 Types of Record deals -
Controlled Composition,
2/8 Analyze
record contract - Demo Diversity
2/13 Recording terms - Recording
Team,
2/15 The
jobs of the Record Producer - quiz
2/20 Etiquette - Pre-Production
2/22 Creative Budget
2/27 Creative & Business Budget,
3/1 Business Budgets - Breaking
Even
3/6 Publicity,
Press Kits
3/8 Promoting to the Radio –
Internet Web Design
3/13 Spring Break
3/15 Spring Break
3/20 Partnerships – Trademarks
3/22 Copyrights
3/27 Touring team - quiz
3/29 tips
for the road – Finding Shows & Contract Riders
4/3 Easter Break
4/5 Planning the Show, What
Artist and Promoter should look out for
4/10 Publishing Deals – What
publishers do - Performing Rights Organization
4/12 Songwriting Form - quiz
4/17 Inspiration – Ideas
4/19 No Class
4/24 Poetic Devices - Writing
Principals
4/26 The themes of love
5/1 Networking, Career Planning, Final overview
5/3 Final Quiz and Final
Paper Due