MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course #/ Title:                   MBU 3450.21, Music Publishing                    

Credit Hours:                        3             

Semester:                              Summer 1 2008                                                                                  

Professor:                             James I. Elliott, M.A.          

Office: 34 Music Square East

Professor Contacts:            460-5513, elliottj@mail.belmont.edu           

Professor Office Hours:     By appointment

Class Location:                    MSEast 201

Meeting Time:                      M-F 7:30-9:15

Final Exam:                          July 2, 2008

 

Course Description:

 

A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company, demo sessions and licensing.

 

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

 

·         Explain what music publishers do

·         Explain the revenue streams of music publishers

·         Discuss the administration tasks of a music publisher

·         Identify the major tenets of songwriter contracts

·         Explain the creative tasks of a music publisher

·         Discuss how musical works are exploited

·         Explain how musical works are licensed

·         Compute variable mechanical royalties

·         Compare the Performing Rights Organizations in the U.S.

·         Discuss the current issues in music publishing

 

Performance Tasks: Students this course, the student will:

 

·         Describe the income streams of music publishers

·         Describe the inner workings of a music publisher

·         Identity the major global music publishers

·         Describe how musical works are licensed by music publishers

·         Differentiate between single song and exclusive songwriter contracts

·         Describe how music publishers secure uses of their copyrights

·         Solve research problems through the application of music publishing industry methods.

·         Demonstrate the key tenets of songwriter contracts.

·         Demonstrate the methods utilized by the Performing Rights Organizations to collect performance royalties

 

 

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

 

·         Written responses comprising short answer and original short-form essays

·         True and False and multiple-choice tests

·         Written analysis of original research of music publishing issues

·         Verbal presentation of research findings

·         Group discussion of music publishing licensing and legal issues

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

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

                          2. Websites listed on class schedules

 

 

Activity                                                                                                                Credit                    Purpose/Description

 

1.             Research Reports:                                                                                                                               25%      

Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class Schedule.  The combined 3 reports are worth 25% of your grade. Each report must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing stapled to a one to two page typed analysis of the article written by the student. Suggested print and online sources include Billboard, Radio & Records, Music Row, The Tennessean, Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Your paper should give a brief description of the article’s main points and how it relates to Music Publishing (If not obvious).  If it is not related to music publishing in any way, it will be given a zero. These reports will assess the student’s ability to identify and explain the activities of music publishers and the current issues they are facing. 

1) MUST be typed and at least one page (single or double-spaced).

2) MUST be stapled. (No bending of corners or paper clips).

3) MUST include a copy of the article.  I need a copy of the article, NOT a web link.

4) MUST be turned in at class – No e-mailed papers will be accepted.

5) MUST include your name.

6) MUST NOT BE LATE. 

These reports may be discussed in class

2.             Comprehensive Tests (2)                                                                                                                  50%      

Based on reading assignments, lectures, assigned websites, comprehensive tests will asses the depth of the student’s knowledge of the base topic. Each test is comprised of True & False, Multiple choice, Fill-in-the-blank questions supplemented by short-answer essay questions. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.

 

 

 

 

3.             Final Exam:                                                                                                                                          25%      

A comprehensive test comprising True & False and multiple-choice questions that will measure the depth of a student’s knowledge base of the topic and short-answer questions that will asses the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from lectures, readings and research.

 

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.

 

Cell Phones and Computers:        All cell phones; ipods and other hand-held electronics devices must be turned off during class. Computers are permitted in the classroom for note taking only.

 

Materials:

 

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

 2. Websites listed on class schedules

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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:

 

Mon.             June 2                                  Music Publishing History

                                               

Tue.              June 3                                  Music Publishers and What They Do                                     Read Chapter 1

Inner Workings of a Music Publisher

 

Wed.             June 4                                  Songwriter Contracts

                                                                        Sources of Income for Publishers

 

Thur.           June 5                                  Co-Publishing and Administration                                         Read Chapter 2

                                                                        Co-Ventures and Joint Ventures                                                                       Read Chapter 3

                                                                        Copyright Law                                                                                      Read Chapter 4

 

Fri.                June 6                                  Recording Artist Publishing Agreements                           Read Chapter 5

                                                                        Mechanical Licensing/Print Licensing                                  pages 479-480

 

Mon.             June 9                                  Test 1

 

Tue.              June 10                               Sampling                                                                                                   Read Chapter 6

                                                                        Music, Money, and Television                                                    Read Chapter 7

                                                                        Television series license                                                                pages 472-474

 

Wed.             June 11                               Discuss Research                                                                                Research # 1 Due

 

Thur.           June 12                               Music, Money, and Motion Pictures                                       Read Chapter 8

                                                                        Motion Picture License                                                                   pages 468-471

                                                                        Music, Money, and Commercials                                                                      Read Chapter 9

                                                                        Advertising commercial license                                                                       pages 475-478

 

Fri.                June 13                               Performing Rights Organizations                                                                    Read Chapter 10

                                                                        ASCAP                                                                                                         www.ascap.com

 

Mon.             June 16                               BMI                                                                                                              www.bmi.com

                                                                        SESAC                                                                                                          www.sesac.com

 

Tue.              June 17                               Mid Term

 

Wed.             June 18                               Music, Money, and Broadway                                                    Read Chapter 11

 

Thur.           June 19                               Music, Money, Internet, Video Games                                   Read Chapter 12

                                                                        Cell Phones, and New Media                                                        pages 481-484

 

Fri.                June 20                               Discuss Research                                                                                Research # 2 Due

Mon.             July 23                                Music, Money, and Foreign Countries                                   Read Chapter 13                                                                                                                                  Subpublishing agreements

 

Tue.              June 24                               Putting It All Together                                                                                            Read Chapter 14

                                                                        Royalty Accounting

                                                                                               

Wed.             June 25                               Music, Money, and the Buying and                                          Read Chapter 15

                                                                        Selling of Songs

 

Thur.           June 26                               Song Plugging

                                                                        Catalog Exploitation


Fri.                June 27                               Demos

 

Mon.             June 30                               Starting Publishing Company

                                                                        Current Issues/Discuss Research                                                                   Research # 3 Due

 

Tue.              July 1                                   The Future of Music Publishing

                                                                        Review for the final

                                               

Wed.             July 2                                   Final Exam