INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC INDUSTRY STUDIES, Credit

Hours: 3

MUGN M 110, Fall 2009, MWF 12:30-1:20

Instructor: John Snyder; phone: 865-3984: email:

jsnyder@loyno.edu

Office: 300 F, Music/Communications Complex; office hours: 10-5,

daily; call for appointment

Research Instructor: Alicia Hanson; phone: 864-7118, email:

ahanson@loyno.edu

Office: Music Library; office hours: 10-5, daily

Catalog Description:

This course provides students with an overview of the music

industry, including the many careers it offers. The following topics
will be addressed: the artist’s “team” (managers, lawyers, agents,
PR, producers), legal issues (recording contracts, songwriting
contracts, licenses, etc.), touring, merchandising, motion picture
music, group issues, music on the Internet, entrepreneurship, the
future of the business, and ethics.

Expected Outcomes of the Class/Course Objectives:

• Students will have a clear understanding of the

history and current economic, legal, and
technological state of many facets of the music
business.

• Students will gain a broad understanding of the

individual elements of the music industry as well
as grasp how these pieces connect and relate to
each other.

• Students will gain a general knowledge of the

structure of music companies and how their
various departments work, including recording
companies, publishers, management and
production companies.

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 • Students will understand the context and details of
many careers in the music industry, including self-
made careers.

• Students will gain improved research, writing and

public speaking skills, including a detailed
understanding of Microsoft Word, Power Point and
Excel.
Texts:

All You Need To Know About The Music Business (6th Edition) – by
Donald S. Passman; Getting Signed – by George Howard; Music
Publishing 101 – by George Howard. Reference
Website: www.artistshousemusic.org

Special or Unique Student Materials:

Students should purchase their own "Response Card" from

TurningPoint Technologies (their "clicker") from the University
bookstore. This device is necessary in order to participate in this
course.

Several pamphlets published by ASCAP regarding performance

rights issues and motion picture music will be provided to the
students at no cost. Other supplemental readings will either be
provided in Blackboard or easily found online.

Special or Unique University Facilities:

A multi-media classroom with Internet access, DVD player, projector

and screen.

Instructional Methods:

Lectures, student presentations, guest speakers, power point outlines,

current event reports, use of DVDs and the Internet; student projects,
student participation and group interaction. This class will be
conducted in a highly interactive manner. Laptops and other electronic
devices are not are permitted in class.

All of the course materials, assignments, and announcements will be

posted online in the Blackboard account for this course. Classes will
not be lectures or presentations of the reading materials. Student
should check Blackboard regularly for assignments and

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announcements. All assignments must be typed.

There will be many links to video segments of industry

professionals. The information included in these video segments will be
a part of the class materials and included in tests and assignments.

Classroom activities will include student presentations (students

will be required to make current event presentations in class),
discussion of the reading assignments, and question and answer
sessions.

Structure of Class:

Quizzes will be given at the start of every class using the

TurningPoint Response System to test your knowledge of the
reading material for that day's. This will count for 30% of your final
grade. Attendance will be taken according to who takes the daily
quizzes. Late students will not be permitted to retake missed
quizzes. More information on the TurningPoint Response System
can be found online at www.turningtechnologies.com.

Each student will be responsible for leading a discussion of a

current event. In conjunction with this discussion, the student will
present a 200 – 300 word summary of the current event with a
copy of the article itself. Both the oral and written presentations
will be graded.

The assignments and reading will require a minimum of 5-6 hours of

work out side of class per week. Do NOT wait until the night before to
prepare for class – it will not be possible. The scheduling of this class
requires students to plan ahead. This is the starting course of a 4-year
curriculum. It is important that you learn the material and do well in
this class because it may very well define your future in the music
industry studies program.

Each student will also be required to produce a Semester Project

from to the projects list attached to this syllabus. This document
should be carefully considered for it’s multiple due dates and
presentation requirements.

There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam and they will be
short answer and essay questions. These questions will be based
on the texts, class discussion, PowerPoint’s, and any other
materials that are part of the course. Other tests will be given at
the discretion of the instructor.

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Attendance Policy:

Students are required to come to ALL classes and ON

TIME. Absences will only be excused with a letter from a physician
or parent and must be submitted within one week of the absence.
Every two unexcused absences will drop your grade by a
letter. In order to determine who is allowed to proceed in the
program, the attendance policy is strictly enforced.

Methods for Evaluating Outcomes:

Research, Presentations..…..............…20% (this includes Alicia's assignments and

current events presentations)
Reading Assignment Daily Quizzes.....30%
Mid Term Exam…...…….…................15%
Final Exam.…………………...............15%
Project..……...…………...........….......20%

Course grades will be assigned on the following scale:

A = 90 or above
B+ = 85 - 89
B = 80 - 84
C+ = 75 - 79
C = 70 - 74
D+ = 65 - 69
D = 60 - 64
F = less than 60

Special Needs:

A student with a disability that qualifies for accommodations should

contact Sarah Mead Smith, Director of Disability Services, at 865-2990
(Academic Resource Center, Room 405, Monroe Hall). A student
wishing to receive test accommodations (e.g., extended test time)
should provide the instructor with an official Accommodation Form
from Disability Services in advance of the scheduled test date.

English As A Second Language:

A somewhat technical vocabulary is used in this course. Understanding

the specific meaning of words and concepts is critical for
success. Because of this necessity, individuals for whom English is not
his/her first language may need additional assistance. Many common
dictionaries are inadequate in describing the technical meaning of a

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word as used in the course. The teaching assistants and the instructor
will gladly define and explain the meaning of concepts when asked. If
words, terms or concepts are confusing, please seek assistance. No
electronic dictionaries or devices can be used during an examination.

Academic Integrity:

All work you do for this class is expected to be your own, and academic
dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism on papers or
cheating on exams) will be punished. Students who engage in this
activity will be expelled from the class. A summary of the University’s
definitions and procedures concerning academic integrity can be found
in the Undergraduate Bulletin. You will be instructed in the initial weeks
of the class how to cite references and credit sources so that you might
avoid inadvertent breaches.

Limited Use of Instructional Materials:

The lecture content and all instructional materials used in this course
are copyrighted material. As such, no individual may use any lecture
content or instructional materials for any purpose other than his/her
immediate education. Taking of notes for someone else or an
organization, especially for sale or profit, is strictly prohibited.

Appeal of Grade:

After grades have been posted, they may be appealed initially by

contacting the instructor and then, if that course of action is
unsatisfactory, they may be appealed pursuant to University policy as
set forth in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Asking for a Grade of "Incomplete":

The College of Music and Fine Arts and Loyola University allow a
student to receive a grade of "Incomplete" in those extremely rare
circumstances in which a student, who is currently passing, cannot
complete the course toward the end of the class because of a
documented excuse. Normally, a student should withdraw from the
university when a student cannot complete the course. A grade of
"Incomplete" cannot be given to avoid failing the course. Do not ask
the instructor for an "Incomplete" grade if (1) you are failing the
course, (2) it is past mid-semester, and (3) you do not have an
extraordinary and compelling reason not to finish the class.

Evacuation Statement:

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Students must log on to the College emergency web site
(www.loyno.la) and the University Blackboard site
(http://loyno.blackboard.com/ ) within 48 hours of any University
evacuation to receive further information regarding contacting course
instructors for assignments, etc. Students will be required to do
assigned course work for any evacuation of more than 48
hours. Students should also monitor the University site
(www.loyno.edu) for general information.