MUSB 1305
SURVEY OF MUSIC BUSINESS
CRN: 87483  Summer II 2011
HCC Central Campus
SIS Building: Rm #249
Lecture: T/TH 5:00-10:00pm
Instructor Information:
Steve Ames (713) 718-5602
stephen.ames@hccs.edu
Office Hours: T/TH by appointment.
Text & Materials:
Music Business Handbook and Career Guide, 9th edition, David Baskerville.
Course Objective:
An overview of the music industry including songwriting, live performance, the record industry, music
merchandising, contracts and licenses, and career opportunities. Upon completion of course, students
will be able to explain basic music industry principles including copyright, publishing, and
performance rights; explain the business of live performance to include artist management, unions and
guilds, entertainment agencies, venues, and concessions; identify the record industry systems from
record producers, recording studios, manufacturing production, and distribution companies;
summarize the use of contracts and licenses in the music industry; and discuss career opportunities in
the music industry.
Grading Policy:
Final grades are based on the following grading system. A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60,
F=59-0. Final Grades in this class are based on the following criteria:
Class Attendance/Participation
Quizzes & Projects
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
20%
10%
30%
40%
Make-up Policy:
Make-ups for tests will not normally be given unless the student has informed the instructor of his/her
intention to be absent prior to the test date. Lab assignments missed will need to be completed outside
of class time and submitted in a timely fashion.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policy:
Students who have been absent from class for three hours or three sessions may be dropped by the
instructor for nonattendance, with grades of “F” or “W2.” Please talk with the instructor if you know
you will be absent from a class.
Academic Misconduct:
HCC commits itself to the preparation of music industry professionals and scholars. Such a mission
demands the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty,
including but not limited to plagiarism, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft are not
tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions are outlined in the Student Handbook.
Don’t take any chances with this; it’s simply not worth it.
Classroom Policies
Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom. This includes all food, snacks, candy, etc., and
all drinks whether opened or not.
Cell phones and pagers should be turned off or placed on silent during class time. If you feel strongly
that you need to take a call or send a text, please do so outside the classroom.
Use of Cameras, Recording Devices & Class Copyright Disclaimer
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where
instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a
recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for
Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
The reformatting, editing, copying, or duplication of this class and its contents are strictly prohibited
without written consent of the section designer.
Students With Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability
Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide
only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate (most
convenient) DSS office for assistance:
Disability Support Services Offices:
System – (713) 718.5165
Central – (713) 718.6164 – also for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Students
Outside of the HCC District service areas.
Northwest – (713) 718.5422
Northeast – (713) 718.8420
Southeast – (713) 718.7218
Southwest – (713) 718.7909
Important Dates:
First Day of Class:
Final Exam
July 12 th
Aug 11 th
Course Calendar
Course Calendar subject to change
Week One
The Music Business System, Record Labels,
The Record Deal Part One,
Legal Aspects Part One
Week Four
Copyright Law, Music Publishing
Music Licensing, Music Business Contracts
Week Two
The Record Deal Part Two,
The Recording Process, Job Descriptions,
The Record Release
Week Five
Sync License, Legal Aspects Part Two,
Final Review
Final Exam
Week Three
Marketing and Publicity,
Career Management
Midterm Exam