MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course #/ Title: MBU 3450.21, Music Publishing
Credit Hours: 3
Semester: Summer 1 2009
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 9, 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.
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.
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 8 Music Publishing History
Tue. June 9 Music Publishers and What They Do Read Chapter 1
Inner Workings of a Music Publisher
Wed. June 10 Songwriter Contracts/Income sources
Thur. June 11 Co-Publishing and Administration Read Chapter 2
Co-Ventures and Joint Ventures Read Chapter 3
Copyright Law Read Chapter 4
Fri. June 12 Recording Artist Publishing Agreements Read Chapter 5
Mechanical Licensing/Print Licensing pages 479-480
Mon. June 15 Test 1
Tue. June 16 Sampling Read Chapter 6
Music, Money, and Television Read Chapter 7
Television series license pages 472-474
Wed. June 17 Discuss Research Research # 1 Due
Thur. June 18 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 19 Performing Rights Organizations Read Chapter 10
ASCAP www.ascap.com
Mon. June 22 BMI www.bmi.com
SESAC www.sesac.com
Tue. June 23 Mid Term
Wed. June 24 Music, Money, and Broadway Read Chapter 11
Thur. June 25 Music, Money, Internet, Video Games Read Chapter 12
Cell Phones, and New Media pages 481-484
Fri. June 26 Discuss Research Research # 2 Due
Mon. July 29 Music, Money, and Foreign Countries Read Chapter 13 Subpublishing agreements
Tue. June 30 Putting It All Together Read Chapter 14
Royalty Accounting
Wed. July 1 Music, Money, and the Buying and Read Chapter 15
Selling of Songs
Thur. July 2 Song Plugging/Catalog Exploitation
Fri. July 3 No class – Happy July 4th!
Mon. July 6 Demos
Tue. July 7 Starting Publishing Company
Current Issues/Discuss Research Research # 3 Due
Wed. July 8 The Future of Music Publishing
Review for the final
Thur. July 9 Final Exam