Belmont University - MBU 3990.01

Christianity in the Music Industry

Syllabus - Fall, 2005

 

Course #:  MBU 3990.01

Instructor:  Don Cason 

Phone:  615-300-4501

E-mail:  d.cason@comcast.net

 don.cason@wordentertainment.com

Credit:  3 hours

Class Location:  203B

Meeting time:  Thursday 3:30 - 6:00 pm

 

 

Course Description:  The course will primarily examine today’s Christian Music industry, and will feature presentations by and discussions with key decision-makers in the industry.  Specifically, the course will delve into the business practices of various facets of the industry (e.g. Artists, A&R, Marketing, Publishing, Distribution, Radio, and Management), and how they interrelate.  It will also explore the conflicts between art, ministry and commerce that are common to the Christian Music industry.  Additionally, the course will examine briefly the role Christians play in other genres of the Music Industry. It will also focus briefly on current movies, television, and books, and how our culture is being influenced by a Christian worldview. 

 

Course Objectives:

1.  To provide students with an overview of all business and creative facets of the Christian Music industry through presentations and discussions with top industry leaders. 2.  To provide students with an understanding of the artistic and spiritual basis for Christian music, and the conflicts that are often created from the business expectations intrinsic to the industry

3.  To give students an opportunity to consider their own personal perspectives on the balance between art, ministry and commerce

 

Attendance:  Class attendance policy follows the guidelines presented in the current Belmont University Catalog. 

 

Class participation:  Students are expected to show a sincere effort of cooperation, participation and self-application during the course of study.  Students are expected to read the assigned texts, recommended readings and handouts and to fully complete all class projects and assignments.  Additionally, student participation in class discussions with industry leaders, instructor, and fellow students is expected.

 

Text:  There is no official text book for this course.  However, the students will be expected to read the following book during the course:

 

ROARING LAMBS, Bob Briner, Zondervan, 1993 (available in bookstore)

 

Mid-Term Exam: A mid-term exam will be given during our last class period prior to Fall Break and will cover discussions and materials from all class periods up to that point.  We will have a review during the class period prior to the date of the exam in preparation for this test.

 

Roaring Lambs Test:  Students will receive a comprehensive set of questions in the form of a take-home test based on Roaring Lambs.  Each will be encouraged to answer the questions as the book is read, but will be required to turn in the test on a designated date.  Many answers will be subjective, based on the material read; however, some will be objective and will be based on the concepts learned from the reading.  Higher credit will be given to answers that demonstrate the student has considered the question(s) in light of the comments made by Briner and is offering an original, well thought-out response.

 

Culture Shaper Paper and Presentation:  Choose one of the “Culture Shapers” identified in the Time Magazine article, January 30, 2005, entitled “The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America”.  You will be required to write a full 3-page paper, with a 4th page listing your source information, citing the traits of a “roaring lamb” that you see exhibited in their work and accomplishments.  Provide some biographical or professional information on this person, giving some context to their accomplishments.  Determine what impact they are having and why that is significant.  Grading will be given for accuracy, breadth of information compiled in your paper, relevancy to the course content, as well as originality.  Each student will be required to present their paper in a 10+ minute class presentation near the end of the semester.  Instructions about the selection of your chosen person and the due date for the paper will be discussed in the class.

 

Final Exam: A final exam will be given at the end of the semester and will cover discussions and materials from all class periods.  We will have a class review on the final day of class in preparation for this test.

 

Grades: Grading will be made on the follow basis:

 

Attendance / Class participation                        15%

(12 class periods excluding 1st class and Final Exam)

Mid-Term Exam                                               15%

ROARING LAMBS Test                                 25%

Culture Shaper Paper                                       15%

            Culture Paper Presentation                      5%

Final Exam                                                       25%

Total                                                                100%