BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:                 Music Publishing

Course #:                     MBU 3450.01

Credit Hrs:                   3         

Semester:                     Spring 2007

Class Location: MC 200B                   

Meeting Times: Tuesday – Thursday 8:00-9:15 AM

Final Exam:                   May 3rd 8:00AM

Professor:                     Dan Keen      

Contacts:                      Email: DKeen@ascap.com

 

Course Description:

 

A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, music licensing, foreign publishing, catalog development, demo sessions and other activities conducted by music publishers.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

·        A student will be able to define the role of music publishing in the entertainment & music business.

 

·        A student will be able to perform the administration tasks of a music publisher.

 

·        A student will be able to illustrate the creative tasks of a music publisher.

 

·        A student will be able to exploit intellectual property.

 

Performance Criteria:

 

o       Students will identify the major global music publishing companies.

 

o       Students will demonstrate the application of copyright owner’s exclusive rights.

 

o       Students will demonstrate the major income streams of music publishers.

 

o       Students will compute mechanical royalties.

 

o       Students will solve research problems through the application of music publishing industry methods.

 

o       Students will demonstrate the key tenets of songwriter contracts.

 

o       Students will demonstrate the methods utilized by the Performing Rights Organizations to collect and distribute performance royalties.

 

 

GOALS OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

 

The following objectives will be applied toward course completion:

 

To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership,

                innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

                To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility,

                make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.

                To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

 

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.”

 

Course Requirements:

 

1.      Attendance:  It is my recommendation that you attend all of the class meetings for the best learning experience.  Absence is permitted only in case of illness or family emergencies.  For a complete explanation of the attendance policy see the Belmont University Bulletin online.

 

2.      Materials:

 

       Music, Money and Success by Jeffrey & Todd Brabec, 5th  Edition, Schirmer Books.

 

3.      Prepared assignments:

 

Research Speech: 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 emailed to the professor on or before April 3rd. 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 out line of the speech must be submitted on Thursday April 12th in class.  A minimum of three sources are required and must be cited on the outline. The course text book may not be used as one of the three sources.

 

4.      Testing:

  4 tests will be given in the class on the dates stated under class schedule.    NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.

 

5.      Basis of grade evaluation: 

Test 1 15%, Mid Term 25%, Test 3 15%, Final 25%, Speech = 20 %

 

Grading scale:  97-100 = A+, 93-96 = A, 90-92 =A-, 87-89 = B+, 83-86 = B,

80-82= B-, 77-79 = C+, 73-76 = C, 70-72 = C-, 67-69 = D+, 63-66 + D, 60-62 = D-,

59 and below = F

 

6.       Class Schedule:

MUSIC PUBLISHING, BELMONT UNIVERSITY

Spring 2007 Course Calendar

 

Jan.    16 - read Preface and pgs. 1-9 of Chapter 1

          18 - read pgs. 30-56 of Chapter 1

          23 - read Chapter 4

25 -    TEST #1

30 - read pgs. 149-158 of Chapter 5

Feb.    1 - read Chapter 10

          13 - read Chapter 11

          20 - read Chapter 7

          22 -  read Chapter 8 & (

          27 -    MID TERM

Mar.   1 -  Interactive exercise MANDATORY

          6 - 8 Spring Break NO CLASS

          15 - read Chapter 13

          22 - read pgs. 11-27 of Chapter 1

          29 - read Chapter 2

Apr    3 -   Speech Topic Due by email

                 read chapter 15

          5 -   Easter Break – No Classes

          10 - TEST #3

          12 – Speeches (Submit Speech Outline)

          17 - Speeches

          19 - read Chapter 3

          24 - read Chapter 12

          26 - read Chapter 14

May    1 - read Chapter 17

          3 - Final

 

IMPORTANT – DO NOT buy a plane ticket or otherwise make plans to leave school early before Spring Break or before the Final. DO NOT ask me if you can take the Final early. Don’t even ask.