BELMONT UNIVERSITY - MBU 3450 - MUSIC PUBLISHING

SYLLABUS – Fall 2004

 

Course#:                                              MBU 3450

Instructor & Phone #:                           Mr. Daniel T. Keen

                                                            Adjunct Instructor, Music Business

                                                            742-5000 (ASCAP)

Credit:                                                  3 hours

Class Location:                         MBC 204

Meeting Time:                                       Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00am

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

Catalog Description

 

MBU 3450. Music Publishing (3). A study of music publishing.  The course deals with contracts, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company, demo sessions and licensing.

 

Course Rationale

 

Music Publishing is an integral part of the music industry.  It is important to have a working knowledge of music publishing because it impacts every area of the music business.

 

General Course Objectives

 

As a result of this course, the student:

 

1. Should be able to explain those activities conducted by the music publisher including catalog administration, contract negotiation, royalty accounting, song promotion, mechanical, synchronization, and print licensing, and foreign sub-publishing.

 

2. Should be able to explain the nature of copyright including history and basic forms.

 

3. Should have a good understanding of the Performing Rights Organizations and their function in music publishing.

 

4. Should be able to express the major tenets of key music publishing contracts including exclusive and single songwriter contracts, co-publishing and administration.


 

II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND CONTENT:

 

Required Materials

 

The required text is MUSIC, MONEY AND SUCCESS – 2002-2003 Edition  (Schirmer Books) by Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec.  The book can be purchased at the Belmont bookstore and several local bookstores.

 

Attendance

 

It is my expectation that you attend all of the class meetings for the best learning experience. Absence is permitted only in cases of illness, family emergencies, or other legitimate causes. For a complete explanation of the attendance policy see pages 57 and 58 of the current University Bulletin.

 

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 and Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.

 

Instructional Modes

 

Instruction will consist of several learning resources including, but not limited to the following:
1. lectures and discussions; 2. assigned text readings; 3. visual presentations; and 4. guest speakers.

Honor CODE:

 

As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will 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 fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

 

 

 

Requirements For The Course

 

EXAMINATIONS:

 

Each student will pass 1. 2 Tests; 2. 1 Mid Term; and 3. 1 Final Exam for a total of 4 exams.

BRING TWO (2) #2 PENCILS!

 

REPORTS

 

Each student will submit 3 Music Publishing Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under "COURSE CALENDAR."  Each submission must include one article relating to some aspect of music publishing attached to a sheet of paper that includes an analysis of the article. These reports may be discussed in class.  Reports turned in up to 24 hours after the deadline will have 10 points deducted from the grade automatically.  NO REPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATER THAN 24 HOURS PAST THE DEADLINE.

 

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

 

In this course 70% of your grade will come from performance on tests, mid-term, and final examinations.  The breakdown is as follows:

 

Examinations                                        Paper and Participation

 

Test #1             15%                             Reports            20%

Mid-term          20%                             Class participation        10%

Test #3             15%

Final                 20%

 

NOTE:

 

The class participation grade is based upon a student's attendance in class. Zero to 1 abs. = A; 2 abs. = B; 3 abs. = C; 4 abs. = D; 5 or more abs. = F.

 

The final grade for the course will be calculated as follows:

90 - 100 = A  80 - 89 = B  70 - 79 = C  60 - 69 = D

below 60 is failing

 

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.