COURSE SYLLABUS 1

MUI 205 Music Industry I

Instructor Todd Herreman Phone 315-443-2191

Office 124 Crouse College E-mail [email protected]
Office
M/W 2:30-4PM
Hours

Stay Safe Pledge:

Syracuse University’s Stay Safe Pledge reflects the high value that we, as a university
community, place on the well-being of our community members. This pledge defines
norms for behavior that will promote community health and wellbeing. Classroom
expectations include the following: wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all
times, maintaining a distance of six feet from others, and staying away from class if you
feel unwell. Students who do not follow these norms will not be allowed to continue in
face-to-face classes; repeated violations will be treated as violations of the Code of
Student Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

Special Calendar for Fall 2020:

In order to maximize public health outcomes, the university has adopted a modified
calendar for the fall semester, in which regular instruction ends prior to Thanksgiving.
This semester’s calendar deviates from the university’s normal fall-semester calendar in
several ways:

• Monday classes will meet on Labor Day (September 7).

• Monday and Tuesday classes will meet on the week of Thanksgiving (November
23, 24).
• Classes will take place on three weekend days:
o Wednesday classes will meet at their normal times, in their assigned
rooms, on Saturday, September 5.
o Thursday classes will meet at their normal times, in their assigned rooms,
on Sunday, October 25.
o Friday classes will meet at their normal times, in their assigned rooms, on
Sunday, November 8.
• Final exams will be conducted online after the Thanksgiving holiday.

________________________________________________________________

Course Description:
The course emphasizes the historical, creative, sociological and business aspects of
music, songwriters and musical artists, music publishing, personal
management, booking/talent agencies, concert promotion, arts administration and music

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product merchandising. Attention is given to the history and basics of copyright

law, rights and licensing, unions, guilds and other professional organizations in the
music industry. Demonstrating a working knowledge of business terms that are integral
to the music industry is essential and required. The historical components are given a
contemporary examination for comparison in order to establish how the music business
has evolved and adapted to current technologies and trends.

Prerequisite / Co-requisite:
Music Industry Majors, Declared Music Industry Minors, Bandier Majors

Audience:
Music Industry Majors, Declared Music Industry Minors, Bandier Majors

Credits:
3

Learning Objectives:
After taking this course, students will be able to:
A) Describe the origins and milestones of the history of the business of music.
B) Explain the importance of the song, creators of music and the relationships with
publishing and licensing entities.
C) Describe the legal tenants of copyright law and the Bundle of Rights.
D) Explain recent changes in intellectual property rights, digital media, social media
and legal precedents pertaining to global rights.
E) Describe the music publishing process from the time a work is created to its usage
and exploitation including types of agreements/contracts.
F) Explain licensing of the use of music in all areas of the music industry.
G) Perform calculations of earnings and cash flow for publishers and composers/song
writers.
H) Describe Performing Rights, Mechanical Licensing and business entities that deal
with music use in various forms of media.
I) Explain the functions of unions, guilds and legal/professional organizations.
J) Explain the components of supply chain management, music product
merchandising, floor planning and product research and development relating to
amateur and professional musician’s needs.
K) Describe business concepts as they pertain to current industry mergers and
acquisitions, corporate structure and new/emerging entrepreneurial business
models.
L) Describe the history of music recording and how it has changed.
M) Analyze the components of a recording agreement.
N) Describe the career roles contained at a record label.
O) Explain the role a producer plays in the field of recorded music and the elements
of a producer's agreement.
P) Describe earnings and cash flow for record labels.

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Bibliography/ Texts / Supplies – Required:

• All You Need to Know About the Music Business, Tenth Edition
Author: Donald S. Passman
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN-13: 978-1501122187
• The Passman book is available in the SU Bookstore or you can buy it from other
online booksellers such as Amazon including iPad/laptop versions. Note: this
textbook has chapters that pertain to materials in both MUI 205 and 206 so it will
be used in both classes.
• Students are required to purchase Billboard Magazine. The print edition or the
digital edition is available at Zinio.com or Billboard.com. As of this posting, there
are no offered “deals”. The least expensive is the digital version for laptop
or iPad. There are different purchase options/lengths. Note: you will be using
Billboard in MUI 206 so plan accordingly.
• The subscription website can be found
at: https://subscribe.billboard.com/sub/?p=BBL&f=sale&s=IB1404NS08
• The instructor's hard copy of Billboard will be placed in the study
lounge, Setnor Room 301. It must remain there! Copies are also available at Bird
Library. Don't rely on the hard copy as your only source. Access to the digital
version will be required during class.
• In addition to Billboard, sign up for (free) emails from Music Business
Worldwide (https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com) and Future of Music
Coalition (http://futureofmusic.org). These are valuable and current resources.
• Additional trade, news articles, reference materials and web-links will be added
when appropriate and relevant to the modules covered throughout the semester
and when possible, PDF versions will be posted in the assignments area.
• A working Wi-Fi enabled device such as a laptop computer, iPad, smart-phone,
etc. appropriate for in-class readings and assignments.
• Students should register for Spotify and have access to the class music playlist.

Course Requirements and Expectations:

Recording Agreement Team Negotiations: students will be placed in teams and
assigned portions of a recording agreement to analyze and present their side of the
negotiations in class. Teams will either represent the artist or record label and must
understand the negotiable points of the agreement in order to successfully participate.
The project requires timely analysis of the contract, team preparation and time
management. (Learning Objectives: L through P).

Current Events Quizzes – There are 2 scheduled quizzes that will take place during the
semester based upon assigned Billboard articles, news reports or other trade publications.
The materials are chosen by the instructor and are based upon articles that directly
correlate with the modules presented during the semester. (Learning Objectives: B
through P.

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Exam # 1 – measures the student’s understanding of the following course learning

objectives provided in the course modules covered by the Passman textbook and
supplemental readings: A through D.
Exam # 2 – measures the student’s understanding of the following course learning
objectives provided in the course modules covered by the Passman textbook and
supplemental readings: E through P.
Final Research Paper – The final research paper deals with a semester-long exploration
of a hit popular song, preferably chosen from past or present Billboard Hot 100 charts.
The song and related artist is of the students own choosing but there’s no duplications of
song/artist choice so each representative research project is distinct. Song choice is first-
come, first serve by email whereby a deadline date/time is provided to submit. The
project incorporates every aspect of monetization as it relates to the song and affiliated
artist. As modules are covered, students need to research the specific aspect of the music
industry pertaining to the song/artist choice. Depending upon the choice, some areas may
not be relevant but need to be reported as such. An example would be that the song has
not been used in a synchronization deal or the song is not held by a record label affiliated
publishing company, there are no lawsuits relating to the song such as copyright
infringement, etc. The paper with citations needs to be submitted as a word .docx via
email (electronic submissions only) by 5:00 PM on Friday, November 20. Late
submissions will be lowered by a letter grade for each day past the deadline date.
Learning Objectives: B through H, M.

Grading:
Label/Artist Agreement Team Negotiations 15%
Exam #1 20%
Quizzes 2 (total) 20%
Exam # 2 20%
Final Research Paper (Song Tracking/Monetization) 15%
Participation 10%
Total 100%

Grading Table

Grades Percentage Range

A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D 60-69
F 0-59
* source: http://www.syr.edu/registrar/students/grades/faq.html

Grades of D and D- may not be assigned to graduate students

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Course Specific Policies on attendance, late work, make up work, examinations if outside normal
class time, etc.:
Attendance is required. Verifiable absences for medical or family emergencies are excused, and the student
is responsible for the missed content. Two unexcused absences are allowed; every additional two
unexcused absences will result in a one-third letter grade deduction (i.e., from A to A-). Assignments are
expected to be delivered on time; late submissions will receive reduced grade points.

University Attendance Policy

Attendance in classes is expected in all courses at Syracuse University. It is a federal requirement that faculty
promptly notify the university of students who do not attend or cease to attend any class. Faculty will use
Early-Semester Progress Reports and Mid-Semester Progress Reports in Orange SUccess to alert the
Registrar and Financial Aid Office on non-attendance. For more information visit: Information for Students:
Non-attendance or Stopped Attending

Students may contact their home school/college Dean’s Office or the Case Management staff in Dean of
Students Office when they are absent from class for an extended period of time (48 hours or more). The Case
Management staff will require documentation for the absence and will utilize Orange SUccess to send
notifications to faculty to verify that documentation has been received for the stated absence.

Barnes Center at the Arch (Health, Counseling, etc.) staff will not provide medical excuse notes for
students. When Barnes Center staff determine it is medically necessary to remove a student from classes,
they will coordinate with the case management staff to provide absence notification to faculty through Orange
Success. For absences lasting less than 48 hours, students are encouraged to discuss academic arrangements
directly with their faculty.

Syracuse University Policies:

Syracuse University has a variety of other policies designed to guarantee that students live and study in a
community respectful of their needs and those of fellow students. Some of the most important of these concern:

Academic Integrity Policy:

Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy reflects the high value that we, as a university community,
place on honesty in academic work. The policy defines our expectations for academic honesty and holds
students accountable for the integrity of all work they submit. Students should understand that it is their
responsibility to learn about course-specific expectations, as well as about university-wide academic integrity
expectations. The policy governs appropriate citation and use of sources, the integrity of work submitted in
exams and assignments, and the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of
participation in class activities. The policy also prohibits students from submitting the same work in more
than one class without receiving written authorization in advance from both instructors. Under the policy,
students found in violation are subject to grade sanctions determined by the course instructor and non -grade
sanctions determined by the School or College where the course is offered as described in the Violation and
Sanction Classification Rubric. Syracuse University students are required to read an online summary of the
University’s academic integrity expectations and provide an electronic signature agreeing to abide by them
twice a year during pre-term check- in on MySlice.

Academic Integrity Online:

All academic integrity expectations that apply to in-person quizzes and exams also apply to online quizzes
and exams. In this course, all work submitted for quizzes and exams must be yours alone. Discussing quiz
or exam questions with anyone during the quiz or exam period violates academic integrity expectations for
this course.

Use of Class Materials and Recordings:

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Original class materials (handouts, assignments, tests, etc.) and recordings of class sessions are the
intellectual property of the course instructor. You may download these materials for your use in this class.
However, you may not provide these materials to other parties (e.g., web sites, social media, other students)
without permission. Doing so is a violation of intellectual property law and of the student code of conduct.

Disability-Related Accommodations:
Syracuse University values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full
participation. There may be aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your
inclusion and full participation in this course. I invite any student to contact me to discuss strategies and/or
accommodations (academic adjustments) that may be essential to your success and to collaborate with the
Center for Disability Resources (CDR) in this process.

If you would like to discuss disability-accommodations or register with CDR, please visit Center for
Disability Resources. Please call (315) 443-4498 or email [email protected] for more detailed
information.

The CDR is responsible for coordinating disability-related a cademic accommodations and will work with the
student to develop an access plan. Since academic accommodations may require early planning and generally
are not provided retroactively, please contact CDR as soon as possible to begin this process.

Discrimination or Harassment:
The University does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected
category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy,
disability, marital status, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic
violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender.

Any complaint of discrimination or harassment related to any of these protected bases should be reported to
Sheila Johnson-Willis, the University’s Chief Equal Opportunity & Title IX Officer. She is responsible for
coordinating compliance efforts under various laws including Titles VI, VII, IX and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act. She can be contacted at Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services, 005 Steele
Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1120; by email: [email protected]; or by telephone: 315-443-
0211.

Faith Tradition Observances

Syracuse University does not set aside days for any religious holiday. Students must notify instructors by
the end of the second week of classes for regular session classes and by the submission deadline for flexibly
formatted classes when they will be observing their religious holiday(s). Please remind students in class of
their obligations to do so. Students will have access to an online notifica tion form through MySlice for two
weeks beginning on the first day of class.

Syracuse University’s Religious Observances Policy recognizes the diversity of faiths represented in the
campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days
according to their traditions. Under the policy, students should have an opportunity to make up any
examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they
notify their instructors no later than the end of the second week of classes for regular session classes and by
the submission deadline for flexibility formatted classes. Student deadlines a re posted in MySlice under
Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances/Add a Notification. I ask you to include this
information, as well as your expectations for how and when academic requirements will be made up, in your
syllabus. I also ask you to remind students during the first week of classes about the notification deadline.
Instructors may access a list of their students who have submitted a notification in the MySlice Faculty
Center. Note that the religious observances icon will not appear unless a student in that class has submitted
a notification.

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Course Schedule: Week/ lecture, topic for the week/lecture, and required
reading are in the appropriate columns below.

Required Reading and

Week/Lecture Topic
Assignments
Introduction, The Song,
Syllabus Review, Abbreviated History of the
Aug 24 Week 1
Expectations, requirements Music Industry; Post RIAA
Year End Reports
History of the Music Passman: Part I: Your Team
Aug 26
Industry of Advisors (1.2.3.4.5.6)
Monetization – the artist
Copyright, Passman: Part III:
Aug 31 Week 2 and the song, art v.
(15)
commerce
Monetization – Ed Sheeran Shape of You
Sept 2 understanding revenue Case Study; Hand out Song
streams – case study Tracking Assignment
Saturday, Sept. 5 Make up class day Regular class time
Monetization –
Sept 7 Week 3 understanding revenue
streams
For next week: Passman Ch.
Sept 9 Intro to copyright law 19-20

Copyright law, licenses Passman Ch. 19-20

Sept 14 Week 4
and royalties;
Copyright law, infringement
Copyright and Current
Sept 16 (types), damages; quiz
Events; post quiz review
review
Sept 21 Week 5 Infringement, continued Quiz review in class
Global rights, RIAA mid- Quiz #1
Sept 23
year report Song Tracking Choice due
Go over quiz #1; begin
Publsihing; Passman Ch.
Sept. 28 Week 6 songwriting and publishing
16-18
income streams

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Publishing contract terms;

Sept. 30 Music Publishing Agreement
DMCA, DPRSRA, PRO’s
Types of publishing
agreements; co- Music Publishing, review
Oct 5 Week 7 publishing. Multinational v. Passman Part III: 16-18
Independent, sub-
publishing; Copyright
Registration; PRO’s
Finish PRO’s, Consent
Oct 7 Post study guide for Test #1
Decrees - DOJ

Oct 12 Week 8 Review for Test #1

Oct 14 Test #1
Test Review; Review
Oct 19 Week 9 Monetization Case Study
and paper example
1st Amendment; Trademark
Oct 21
and ROP
Passman Part II ch. 7-10

The business of record

Recording Contract Handout
Oct 26 Week 10 labels; structure; signing
(Gordon) and Krasilovsky
artists; advances,
checklist handout

Artist Exclusivity,
Passman Part IV -21, 22
Oct. 28 Restrictions (Contract
And review Part II 7-10
Terms), Group Issues
The Human and Music
Teams, “the package”; Passman Part II – Ch. 11
Nov. 2 Week 11
producer and engineer
deals
Recording Agreement
Financial Considerations,
Passman Part II – 12,13,14
Nov 4 Monetization Recording
Team Assignments
Agreement Analysis /
Overview

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Recording Agreement Split class between label

Nov 9 Week 12
Analysis - negotiation and artist groups
Recording Agreement
Nov 11
Team Negotiations
Recording Agreement
Final Paper on Song
Team Negotiations
Nov 16 Week 13 Tracking and Monetization
Hand out final exam
due Friday, Nov. 20
review
Nov 18 Final Exam Review Hand out final exam review
Nov. 23 Week
Final Exam Review
14
Nov. 30 Reading Day
Monday, Dec 7 Final Exam

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