Course Syllabus
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Course # / Title: |
MBU 2130: History of the Recording Industry |
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Semester: |
Summer, 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: |
By appointment (I should be in my office most days from the end
of class until 4:30 p.m.) |
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Course Credit: |
Three (3) credits |
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Class Location: |
Massey Business Center (MBC) 200A |
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Meeting Time(s): |
MTWRF 7:30-9:15 p.m. |
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Final Exam: |
Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 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 history of the recorded music business from 1877 to the present
with emphasis on the development of independent and major recording labels and
corporations, popular recordings, social, cultural, economic and political
influences, and the stylistic differences of notable historic time periods such
as the “acoustic” and “electronic” recording eras.
Course Outcomes: At
the end of this course the student shall be able to:
*Recall historic facts, details,
information about recording labels and popular music recordings from 1877 to
the present.
*Describe the development, growth, and
maturation of independent and major recording companies.
*Explain how popular music is a
significant social, cultural, economic, and political influence.
*Recognize stylistic differences between
historic recording eras of American popular music.
Performance
Criteria: During this course the student will:
*Select and
craft appropriate answers on quizzes and tests.
*Listen to
samples of popular music recordings from 1877 to the present.
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery
will be evaluated by:
*Quizzes and
multiple-choice tests comprised of who, what, where, when and why questions.
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,
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:
Mon: Jun 9:
EXAM #1
Mon: Jun 16:
EXAM #2
Mon: Jun 23:
EXAM #3
Tue: Jul 1: 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:
16.5% (but could be 33%)
POP QUIZZES:
16.5%
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: SUMMER 2008:
Mon: Jun 2: CLASS 1:
19th century; Minstrel Shows, Civil War, Vaudeville (pp 1-15)
Tue: Jun 3: CLASS 2:
Industrial Revolution, Invention of Phonograph, Graphophone,
Gramophone, Development of Victor and Columbia labels, Earliest recordings (pp
16-45)
Wed: Jun 4: CLASS 3: Tin
Pan Alley, Creation of ASCAP, 1909 Copyright Law, Invention of movies, Development
of Radio, World War I (pp 46-68)
Thu: Jun 5 : CLASS 4: The 1920s, Broadway musicals,
Harlem Renaissance, Development of Jazz (pp 69-105) Development of Blues and
Country (black and white) music (pp 106-133)
Fri: Jun 6: CLASS 5: Creation of RCA, Development
of networks on radio, Recording companies of 1920s, "talkies" (pp
134-143)
Mon: Jun 9: CLASS 6: EXAM
#1 (pp 1-143)
Tue: Jun 10: CLASS 7: The
Great Depression, Development of Decca, EMI, and Columbia Records with CBS,
Radio in 1930s, Bing Crosby (pp 144-165) Blues and Country Music in 1930s;
development of jukeboxes, Singing Cowboys (pp 166-187)
Wed: Jun 11: CLASS 8: World
War II; Black gospel (pp 188-199) World War II and post-World War II (pp
220-237)
Thu: Jun 12 : CLASS 9: World War II; formation of Capitol;
V-Discs, Frank Sinatra; R&B and Country music (pp 200-219)
Fri: Jun 13: CLASS 10: TV:
Rhythm and Blues and early Rock and Roll (pp 238-269)
Mon: Jun 16: CLASS 11: EXAM
#2 (pp 144-269)
Tue: Jun 17: CLASS 12:
The Rock Revolution, creation of Warner Brothers; (pp 270-293) creation of
organizations; Folk Music, Brill Building, payola (pp 294-309)
Wed: Jun 18: The '60's:
Part 1 (pp 309-359)
Thu: Jun 19: CLASS 13: The
'60's: Part 2 (pp 309-359)
Fri: Jun 20: CLASS 14: The
1970s; Tape, Disco, Deaths of Elvis and Bing Crosby (pp 360-362)
Mon: Jun 23: CLASS 15: EXAM
#3 (pp 270-362)
Tue: Jun 24: CLASS 16: Disco/Dance;
CCM, Early rap; Punk music (pp 363-372)
Wed: Jun 25: CLASS 17: Digital
Technology (CDs), MTV and Video, Cable TV; Synthesizers; Hip Hop/Rap &
country music (pp 373-378)
Thu: Jun 26 : CLASS 18: History
of Major Labels (consolidation); Independent labels of 1980s & 90s (pp
379-390)
Fri: Jun 27: CLASS 19: Creation
of Internet; Radio consolidation; development of cell phones (pp 391-400)
Mon: Jun 30: CLASS 20: Population
trends; Retail & Wal-Mart; Soundscan; BDS; RIAA
sales figures; Napster (pp 401-406)
Tue: Jul 1: CLASS 21:
EXAM #4 (pp 363-406)
Wed: Jul 2: CLASS 22: LAST
DAY OF CLASS
Thu: Jul 3: CLASS 23:
FINAL EXAM