Course # / Title:	CRN 20345, AET 4380.01 - The Recording Engineer
Course Credit Hours:	3 hrs.
Semester:	Spring 2009
Instructor:	Russ Long
Instructor Contacts:	RussLong1@earthlink.net
Instructor Office Hours:	By appointment
Class Location:	Ocean Way Studio, Studio C
Meeting Time(s):	Tuesday  6:30 pm – 9:15 pm and other times as required
Final Exam:	May 12, 2009, Ocean Way Studio C, 7:00 pm

Course Description: Prerequisites: AET 3090, and three hours from AET 3190, AET 3370, AET 4400, or AET 3560, and permission of instructor. A study of the many roles of the modern recording engineer. Topics include studio ownership and management, clients, unions, current tax laws, and the impact of electronic and acoustic innovations and patents. Research project and lab hours required

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

• demonstrate an understanding of accounting skills required in the role of the recording engineer.
• identify industry delivery requirements, the importance of submitting accurate documentation, and the impact on getting paid for services rendered.
• identify knowledge, management, and industry skills required in the role of a recording studio manager.
• present a business plan proposal based on the student’s career choice as an audio professional.
• examine the importance of building community in relationships, the classroom, and the music industry.

Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:

ú write and organize a weekly journal.

ú research and prepare pertinent questions for guest speakers.

ú plan and write a career business plan.

ú observe the analysis process psychologically and physiologically as provided through a live tracking session using industry professionals.

ú practice effective communication in the classroom and in the studio environment.

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

• quizzes based on lectures and assigned readings.
• weekly class journal.
• presentation of a 10 page business plan proposal.
• final written exam.

Testing & Assignments:

Activity	Credit	Purpose / Description
1.  Quizzes	15%	Based on reading assignments and lectures, scheduled and unscheduled quizzes will assess the student’s knowledge base and understanding of the topic.  Quiz format will be multiple choice and short-answer.
2.  Journal	25%	Based on a weekly class journal kept by student with 300 words minimum per class.  Journal entries are a reflective paper, typed, double-spaced, with a 12-point standard Times New Roman font. The entries must be emailed weekly before class and a hard copy of the entire semester’s journal must be provided for the instructor at the day of the final.
4.  Business Plan Proposal	20%	A written minimum 10-page business plan proposal based on the career path of the individual student.  Allows students the opportunity to incorporate assigned readings, individual research, course lecture material, and assimilation of knowledge gained as applied to the supposition of a career interest.
5.  Oral Presentation	15%	a 15-minute oral presentation of your business plan proposal.
6.  Final Written Exam	25%	a comprehensive test of multiple-choice questions and short answers is used to measure the student’s composite knowledge of topics covered from lectures, readings, and class discussion.

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. Roll will be taken during every class. Points (%) will be deducted from the final grade for unexcused absences. 1 absence, 2 %; 2 absences, 4 %; 3 absences, 6 %; 4 absences, 8 %; 5 absences, the student will be dropped from the class with a failing grade (WF).

Materials:

Standard classroom materials such as a notebook and writing utensils will be needed.  A class journal with individual entries in duplicate is required.  One copy is to keep in an ongoing folder, and the other is to hand in. 

Assignments: You will need to check Blackboard each week before you come to class. You will be required to research and prepare questions for guest speakers.

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

Grade	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*:

Key Dates	Activity
Jan 20 - Tues	Introduction
Jan 27 - Tues	Creating a career plan Why a producer calls you back (or doesn’t), guest, Don Chaffer
Feb 3 - Tues	Mastering, it’s purpose, importance and what you can do to make it a great experience, guest, Hank Williams
Feb 10 - Tues	An engineer’s story, guest, Shane Wilson
Feb 17 - Tues	Saving for retirement, it will be here before you realize it, guest, Tracy Hackney
Feb 24 - Tues	Tax laws, bookkeeping, guest, Gene Riley, CPA
Mar 3 - Tues	Studio management and industry skills Guest speaker, Pat McMakin
Mar 10 – Tues	Rough draft of business plan due: will meet with each student during class for 10-minute review of research paper draft
Mar 17 - Tues	Spring Break – No Class
Mar 24 - Tues	Class tracking session – the psychology of recording
Mar 31 - Tues	An engineer’s story, guest, Reid Shippen
Apr 7 - Tues	The mix - making the client happy, guest, Michael Baker
Apr 14 - Tues	Invoicing, PO’s, rates, delivery requirements
Apr 21 - Tues	Class presentation of 1^st 6 business plan proposals
Apr 28 - Tues	Class presentation of 2^nd 6 business plan proposals
May 5 - Tues	Final Exam, Ocean Way Studio C, 6:30 pm Turn in typed hard copy of Journal

*scheduled topics & guest speakers are subject to change