Belmont University: MBU 3330: International Music Business
SYLLABUS: Summer Semester, 2005
Instructor: Dr. Don Cusic
OFFICE: MBC 223
Phone: 460.5438
FAX: 460.5516
e-mail: cusicd@mail.belmont.edu
Office Hours: MTWRF 1-4:30 p.m.
Course Number: MBU 3330.01 (CRN 30006)
Credit: Three (3) hours
Class Location: MC 413
Meeting Time: MTWRF 9:30 a.m.-11:15 p.m.
Course Description: An exploration of issues confronting entertainment and Music Business firms in a competitive global environment. Particular emphasis includes the manufacturing, marketing, management or financing of entertainment and promotion of the music and entertainment industries which are additional areas of study.
Course Objective: To provide students with an overview of the international music industry.
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
As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences be free of behaviors which compromise value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work. Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:
"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 faud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of the 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 Tammye Tanksley, Director of Counseling & Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.
Course Requirements: 3 Exams, pop quizzes, impression memos & research paper
Attendance: Belmont University is committed to the idea that regular class attendance is essential to successful scholastic achievement. When the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week (25% of meetings during Summer term), the student is involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of "WF."
Materials:
TEXT: Internationally Sound (coursepack) by Don Cusic
Prepared Assignments: 1 Research Paper; 10 Impression papers
Testing: There are three (3) Exams in this course.
Course Requirements:
Mon: Jun 13: 2 impression papers due
Wed: Jun 15: 2 impression papers due
Fri: Jun 17: 2 impression papers due
Mon: Jun 20: EXAM #1
Wed: Jun 22: 2 impression papers due
Mon: Jun 27: 2 impression papers due
Wed: Jun 29: EXAM #2
Thu: Jun 30: Research Day
Fri: Jul 1: RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
Mon: Jul 4: HOLIDAY
Tue: Jul 5: LATE RESEARCH PAPERS DUE (one letter grade lower)
Wed: Jul 6: CLASS 22: LAST CLASS: FINAL EXAM
Thu: Jul 7: CLASS 23: CANCELLED
POP QUIZZES (Unannounced) (5 pts each)
Impression Papers: 10 points each (100 points)
Attendance: Will be computed from Pop Quizzes.
Basis of Grade Evaluation:
EXAMS (3): 100 pts. each
POP QUIZZES: 100 pts.
IMPRESSION MEMOS: 10 pts each (5 pts. if late)
RESEARCH PAPER: 100 pts. (90 maximum if late)
TOTAL: 600 points
A+ 97-100%
A 93-96%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
F 59% and below
FINAL EXAM: Wed: Jul 6:
Some notes and observations:
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.
PLEASE NOTE: "Excused absences" do not excuse you from Pop Quizzes.
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.
You have two "due dates" for your research paper. The first date is the expected date; the second will mean your paper's grade will be lowered one letter grade (or 10 points). If you miss the "late" date, you will receive an "I" for the course and your research paper will have two letter grades (20 points) lowered.
NOTE: This course ends a one day earlier than other Summer Session I courses because I will be traveling with students to London for a course. Therefore, I do not have any lee-way for "grace" periods concerning late late papers. In other words, catching the plane has the higher priority.
MBU 333: International Recording Industry: Dr. Cusic
RESEARCH PAPER
You are to write a market plan/research paper on marketing a musical act in a foreign country or area. Your paper should include an overview of the country: the media and music industry on a specific country, leader, and brief history. The paper should also include general, world trends in media, retailing, and import/exports re: music business in addition to that specific country (e.g. piracy).
The country you choose must be approved by me.
The paper should be 10-15 pages (typed, double-spaced) with at least five different sources used. (Note: Billboard counts for one source, although you may use several different issues. Also The International Recording Industry may be used as a source but does NOT count as one of your five sources). For style and form use the MLA Handbook.
Your research should include trade magazines, consumer publications, technical magazine articles, personal interviews, books, and any other sources pertinent to the topics. You should include a variety of sources to present a variety of viewpoints, basing your conclusions on documented souces. (Conclusions not opinions!)
The first page of the paper will look like this:
Your Name:
Name of Country:
Population:
Location: (surrounding countries)
Language:
Type of Government:
Leader of Government:
If you would like to put together a tape of music from your country, that would be wonderful and will probably help your grade.
Impression Papers
You are to find an article related to the International music industry and write a summary of that article (include a copy of the article with your summary). Sources include Billboard, Music and Media, Music Week, RIAA, IFPI, The Economist, and related internet sites. At least 2 articles must come from Billboard, and 2 from Music and Media; also, at least 2 must be about Europe, 2 about Asia, and 2 about Latin America
WORKING SCHEDULE: MBU 333 SUMMER, 2005: Dr. Cusic
Mon: Jun 6: CLASS 1: Leaders, cities/countries & maps; Overview of course;
Tue: Jun 7: CLASS 2: Overview: International music industry
Wed: Jun 8: CLASS 3: Doing Business Abroad
Thu: Jun 9: CLASS 4: Types of capitalism
Fri: Jun 10: CLASS 5: United States & Canada
Mon: Jun 13: CLASS 6: Europe (2 impression papers due)
Tue: Jun 14: CLASS 7: Europe
Wed: Jun 15: CLASS 8: Europe (2 impression papers due)
Thu: Jun 16: CLASS 9: Europe
Fri: Jun 17: CLASS 10: Europe (2 impression papers due)
Mon: Jun 20: CLASS 11: EXAM #1
Tue: Jun 21: CLASS 12: Asia: CANCELLED
Wed: Jun 22: CLASS 13: Asia (2 impression papers due)
Thu: Jun 23: CLASS 14: Asia
Fri: Jun 24: CLASS 15: Asia
Mon: Jun 27: CLASS 16: Latin America (2 impression papers due)
Tue: Jun 28: CLASS 17: Latin America
Wed: Jun 29: CLASS 18: EXAM #2
Thu: Jun 30: CLASS 19: Research Day
Fri: Jul 1: CLASS 20: RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
Mon: Jul 4: HOLIDAY
Tue: Jul 5: CLASS 21: LATE RESEARCH PAPERS DUE (one letter grade lower) Third World (World Music)
Wed: Jul 6: CLASS 22: LAST CLASS: FINAL EXAM
Thu: Jul 7: CLASS 23: CANCELLED
Don Cusic: Bio
Don Cusic is a pioneer in the field of music business education, developing courses, curriculum and material for the music business programs at Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University. As an author, teacher, historian, musician, songwriter and executive, Cusic has been actively involved in the music business since 1973.
Cusic is the author of fourteen books, including the biography Eddy Arnold: I'll Hold You In My Heart and an encyclopedia of cowboys, Cowboys and the Wild West: An A-Z Guide from the Chisholm Trail to the Silver Screen. Other books include Music in the Market, Willie Nelson: Lyrics 1959-1994, Hank Williams: The Complete Lyrics, Reba McEntire: Country Music's Queen, Randy Travis: King of the New Traditionalists, The Poet as Performer, The Sound of Light: A History of Gospel Music, and Sandi Patti: The Voice of Gospel. He has written chapters in the anthologies Reading Country Music and The Cooperstown Symposium, 1999. He has also contributed entries to the Grove Dictionary of Music, The Encyclopedia of United States Popular Culture, The Protestant Encyclopedia, The Grove Encyclopedia of Blues and Gospel, The Tennessee Encyclopedia and the Country Music Encyclopedia published by the Country Music Foundation.
In Fall, 2001, Cusic is scheduled to have three books published: The Sound of Light: A History of Gospel and Christian Music (an updated version of his earlier work), Merle Haggard: Lyrics and Baseball and Country Music.
Don Cusic has had over 500 articles published since he began writing. He has been the Country and Gospel Editor for Record World and Cashbox, a columnist for Music City News and album reviewer and special correspondent for Billboard. In addition to these publication, he has had articles published in Country Music, Country Rhythms, Country Song Round-Up, Journal of Country Music, Popular Music and Society, Journal of American Culture, Musical Express, Hank, Contemporary Christian Music, Christian Retailer, Christian Life and numerous others.
He has written album liner notes for Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Sonny James, Gary Paxton, George Beverly Shea, Sheb Wooley and Floyd Cramer. He assisted with the Time-Life series on Country Music and wrote the booklet notes on the songs for Tammy Wynette. He wrote the liner notes for the Reader's Digest album on George Beverly Shea.
Don Cusic has presented academic papers for the Popular Culture Association, the Popular Culture Association of the South, the American Studies Association, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, the International Country Music Conference, the International Popular Culture Conference (in Oxford, England), the Tennessee Philological Society, the Tennessee Folklore Society, the Western Music Association, the Baseball Symposium, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music and the Music Educators Industry and Entertainment Association (MEIEA)
In addition to his articles, liner notes and papers, Don Cusic has had songs recorded by the Lewis Family, Lynn Morris, Linda Davis, Pam Mark Hall, Carroll Baker, Darrell McCall and Chris Ledoux. His photography won a Tennessee Press Association award in l973 and he did the cover and liner photography for a Word album by Teddy Huffam and the Gems. He has hosted a television show, "The Music Biz," written for The Nashville Network and appeared a number of times on TNN programs, including "The Life and Times" of Eddy Arnold" and the A&E Biography Series (on Hank Williams).
Don Cusic was born in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He attended St. Mary's College and the University of Maryland where he received a B.S. in Journalism. Cusic moved to Tennessee in 1972. Cusic's first job in the music industry was with the Country Music Association as a staff writer, then with Record World, a trade publication as Nashville editor. From there he joined Monument Records where he served as head of Artist Development and International Liaison (Monument was distributed by CBS International). After leaving Monument, Cusic and Dan Beck formed a management and public relations company where they managed Riders in the Sky and Dickie Lee. After the management/pr company Cusic became the first Nashville editor for Contemporary Christian Music magazine, then joined Cashbox as Country and Gospel Editor. During this period he served for three years on the Gospel Music Association's Board of Directors.
Don Cusic joined the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University in 1982 teaching courses in the music business. He earned a Masters and Doctorate in Literature from MTSU. Since August, 1994 he has been Professor of Music Business at Belmont University.
Cusic is the founding member and Chair of the Belmont Book Award, given each year to the best book in country music, and a member of the Ray and Pat Browne Book Award committee for the best book in popular culture from the Popular Culture Association. He is Editor of "The Singing Wire," the newsletter of the Western Music Association and on the Editorial Boards of two academic journals, Studies in Popular Culture and Popular Music and Society.
Cusic is an active Little League baseball coach and involved in Boy Scouts. He is listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, International Authors and Writers Who's Who and Contemporary Authors. He is a member of the Country Music Association (Lifetime), the Gospel Music Association (Lifetime), the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the Western Music Association, the Popular Culture Association, the Tennessee Folklore Society, the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Music Educators Industry and Entertainment Association (MEIEA).