Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 3750
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Survey of Music Business
Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2024
End Semester: Fall 2024
Catalog Description: This course is a general overview and study of the business of making money from music. It covers the general aspects of the music industry including the major functional areas, governmental regulations, and revenue streams. It also presents a balanced focus towards discussing the practical career paths, common practices, and history of the music industry.
Semesters Offered:
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 2; Lab: 1
Justification: Many music programs around the country, and especially programs with a Commercial Music element, offer a Survey of Music Business type course. This course is offered to educate students of the many ways that money can be made with music so that they will better be prepared for success in their careers. It also educates students about how to legally protect themselves and their music from entities that may take advantage of their artistic and creative abilities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Be knowledgeable of the role and necessity for record labels and music publishers in the music industry. Demonstrate knowledge of the role and necessity for record labels and music publishers in the music industry through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of the legal protection of music including copyright, intellectual property, and contracts. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal protection of music including copyright, intellectual property, and contracts through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of various revenue streams and types of royalties. Demonstrate knowledge of various revenue streams and types of royalties through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of the multitude of career paths available to pursue in the music industry. Demonstrate knowledge of the multitude of career paths available to pursue in the music industry through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of various ways music is marketed, sold, and promoted in the music industry. Demonstrate knowledge of the various ways music is marketed, sold, and promoted in the music industry through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of the history of the music business and the development of record labels, music publishers, and copyright law. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the music business and the development of record labels, music publishers, and copyright law through objective written examinations.
Be knowledgeable of entrepreneurship and business planning. Demonstrate knowledge of entrepreneurship and business planning through participation in in-class exercises.
Be knowledgeable of current topics/issues in the music industry. Demonstrate knowledge of current topics/issues in the music industry through the completion of various essays.
Have an advanced knowledge of at least one career path in the music industry. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of at least one specific career path in the music industry through research and a group presentation.
Content:
• What the Music Industry Is• Jobs/Careers• Entrepreneurship• History of Record Labels• Record Label Organization• The Record Deal• Songwriting• Copyright• Publishing• Music Licensing• Concert Promotion• Merchandizing• Serious Music• Music in Broadcasting, Film and Theater
Key Performance Indicators:
Student performance will be assessed through the completion of in-class exercises, essays, presentations and scores on examinations.
In-Class Exercises 20 to 30%
Essays 20 to 40%
Group Presentations 10 to 20%
Examinations 20 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Music Business Handbook and Career Guide (Current Edition) by David Baskerville
All You Need to Know About the Music Business (Current Edition) by Donald S. Passman
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will be delivered in a classroom equipped with a whiteboard/blackboard, video projection, and speakers. The instructor will employ a combination of lecture, group discussion, and in-class group activities to cover the concepts and help the students discover various aspects of the music industry.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 35
Optimum Class Size: 24
