Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
Course Syllabus
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Course # / Title: |
MBU 2130: History of the Recording Industry |
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Semester: |
Spring, 2008 |
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Instructor: |
Dr. Don Cusic, D.Arts |
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Instructor Contacts: |
PHONE: 615.460.5438; email: cusicd@mail.belmont.edu
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Instructor Office Hours: |
TR 8-11:30 a.m.; M: 8-11:30 a.m.
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Course Credit: |
Three (3) credits |
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Class Location: |
Massey Business Center (MBC) |
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Meeting Time(s): |
TR 12:30-1:45 p.m. |
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Final Exam: |
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. |
Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business: 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 foundations of the recorded music business, which includes the development of recording labels, technology-driven changes, and recordings from 1877 to the present. Also discussed is the formation of the major recording labels and the development of the marketing structure whereby recorded music is exposed and sold to consumers.
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course the student shall be able to:
*explain the emergence of the different genres of music
*understand how the recording industry developed in terms of music, business and technology
*demonstrate mastery of the history of the recording industry through examinations
*appreciate the breadth and depth of the contemporary recording industry
Performance Criteria: At the end of this course the student shall be able to:
*explain how music is a significant influence on society
*contrast recording technology from 1877 to the present
*examine the foundations of the recording music business by probing the development of independent record companies and contrasting them to major corporations of today
*describe the marketing structure of music and how it was exposed and sold to the consumer
*analyze how music affected society socially, culturally, economically and politically
*summarize how music has driven technology and how technology has responded to change
*describe how popular music reflects the mood, circumstances and cultural influences of society.
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:
A. Attendance: Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.
POP QUIZZES (Unannounced) (5 pts each)
Attendance: Will be computed from Pop Quizzes.
Prepared Assignments:
Testing: 5 Exams.
B. Materials: The American Recording Industry by Don Cusic (Course Pack)
C. Outside Assignments: None
D. Testing:
Thu: Jan 31: EXAM #1
Tue: Feb 26: EXAM #2
Tue: Apr 1: EXAM #3
Thu: Apr 24: EXAM #4
E. Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.
EXAM #1 (100 pts)
EXAM #2 (100 pts)
EXAM #3 (100 pts)
EXAM #4 (100 pts)
EXAM #5 (FINAL) (100 pts)
POP QUIZZES (Unannounced) (5 pts each)
EXAMS: 67%
FINAL EXAM: 16.67% (but could be 33%)
POP QUIZZES: 16.67%
TOTAL: 100%
Coursepack material covered on Exams:
EXAM #1: 1800-1929: pp 1-143
EXAM #2: 1930-1954: pp. 144-269
EXAM #3: 1955-1977: pp 270-362
EXAM #4: 1978-2001: pp 363-406
TOTAL POINTS: 600 max. Grading: A=93-100%; A-=90-92%; B+=87-89%, B=83-86%, B-=80-82%; C+=77-79%, C=73-76%; C-=70-72%; D+=67-69%, D=63-66% D-=60-62%; F=59% & below..
MAKE-UPS: In accordance with Music Business policy, there will be no make-up Exams given in this course; if you miss an Exam, the Final Exam will count double. If you miss two Exams, the Final will count triple. Also, when I give Exams back, I go over them in class and you may ask any questions you wish. I will not go over Exams individually in my office. Also note:
You may choose to "skip" an Exam and let the Final count double; however, you are not allowed to begin an Exam, decide you don't want to finish and opt out. Once you begin the Exam, you must complete it.
If you take all of the Exams, I will drop the lowest grade and count the Final double, if it is to your advantage.
The Final Exam is mandatory.
Please bring a No. 2 lead pencil with you on Exam day.
DOING WELL IN THE COURSE: I have found that students who do best in the course (1) do not believe I have done everything for them when I post the overheads but also take notes in class; (2) re-copy your notes after the lecture--expanding on the material while it is still fresh in your mind; (3) join "study groups" to go over the Study Guides; (4) purchase the books and read them; (5) do not wait until the night before the Exam to read the books but read the and mark them as the course progresses; (6) go over the material several times before the Exam; (7) get a good night's sleep before the Exam.
CELL PHONES: You don't have to turn them off; however, if they ring, I answer them
COMPUTERS: You are welcome to use your computer for notes in class; however, if you want to sit in class and check your email and/or surf the net, please sit in the back. (Personally, I don't believe spending $1,000 to check emails is a good use of money.)
PLEASE NOTE: "Excused absences" must be approved by the Provost (athletics and music performances) or Tammy Whitaker (sickness).
After you have finished an Exam, please don't ask me about questions on the Exam, or advising questions, or other questions that require more than a nod because other students are taking Exams and do not like the distraction. Each semester there are complaints from students who are trying to finish an Exam while another student is engaging the teacher in questions or conversation. Therefore, I will not answer questions or engage in discussions during the Exam time while others are taking Exams.
CLASS SCHEDULE: SPRING 2008:
Thu: Jan 10: CLASS 1: 19th century; Minstrel Shows, Civil War, Vaudeville (pp 1-15)
Tue: Jan 15: CLASS 2: Industrial Revolution, Invention of Phonograph, Graphophone, Gramophone, Development of Victor and Columbia labels, Earliest recordings (pp 16-45)
Thu: Jan 17: CLASS 3: Tin Pan Alley, Creation of ASCAP, 1909 Copyright Law, Invention of movies, Development of Radio, World War I (pp 46-68)
Tue: Jan 22: CLASS 4: The 1920s, Broadway musicals, Harlem Renaissance, Development of Jazz (pp 69-105)
Thu: Jan 24: CLASS 5: Development of Blues and Country (black and white) music (pp 106-133)
Tue: Jan 29: CLASS 6: Creation of RCA, Development of networks on radio, Recording companies of 1920s, "talkies" (pp 134-143)
Thu: Jan 31: CLASS 7: EXAM #1 (pp 1-133)
Tue: Feb 5: CLASS 8: The Great Depression, Development of Decca, EMI, and Columbia Records with CBS, Radio in 1930s, Bing Crosby (pp 144-165)
Thu: Feb 7: CLASS 9: Blues and Country Music in 1930s; development of jukeboxes, Singing Cowboys (pp 166-187)
Tue: Feb 12: CLASS 10: World War II; Black gospel (pp 188-199)
Thu: Feb 14: CLASS 11: World War II; formation of Capitol; V-Discs, Frank Sinatra; R&B and Country music (pp 200-219)
Tue: Feb 19: CLASS 12: World War II and post-World War II (pp 220-237)
Thu: Feb 21: CLASS 13: TV: Rhythm and Blues and early Rock and Roll (pp 238-269)
Tue: Feb 26: CLASS 14: EXAM #2 (pp 144-269)
Thu: Feb 28: CLASS 15: The Rock Revolution, creation of Warner Brothers;
(pp 270-293)
Tue: Mar 4: CLASS 16: creation of organizations; Folk Music, Brill Building, payola (pp 294-309)
Thu: Mar 6: CLASS 17: The '60's: Part 1 (pp 317-359)
Tue: Mar 11: CLASS 18: The '60's: Part 2 (pp 317-359)
Tue: Mar 13: CLASS 19: The '60's: Part 3 (pp 317-359)
Thu: Mar 18: CLASS 20: The 1970s; Tape, Disco, Deaths of Elvis and Bing Crosby (pp 360-362)
Thu: Mar 20: EASTER BREAK
Mar 24-28: Spring Break
Tue: Apr 1: CLASS 21: EXAM #3 (pp 270-362)
Thu: Apr 3: CLASS 22: Disco/Dance; CCM, Early rap; Punk music (pp 363-372)
Tue: Apr 8: CLASS 23: Digital Technology (CDs), MTV and Video, Cable TV; Synthesizers; Hip Hop/Rap & country music(pp 373-378)
Thu: Apr 10: CLASS 24: History of Major Labels (consolidation); Independent labels of 1980s & 90s (pp 379-390)
Tue: Apr 15: CLASS 25: Creation of Internet; Radio consolidation; development of cell phones (pp 391-400)
Thu: Apr 17: CLASS 26: Population trends; Retail & Wal-Mart; Soundscan; BDS; RIAA sales figures; Napster (pp 401-406)
Tue: Apr 27: CLASS 27: EXAM #4 (pp 363-406)
Thu: Apr 24: CLASS 28: LAST DAY OF CLASSE: Review
Wed: Wed Apr 30: Academic Preparation Day
Fri: May 2: CLASS 29: FINAL EXAM
Fri: May 2: FINAL EXAM: 11 a.m. for 12:30 p.m. class
Thu: May 3: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m.: for 2 p.m. class
Tue: May 8: FINAL EXAM: 2 p.m. for 3:30 class