Music Business Courses (MBU)

MBU 630. The Recording Industry: Managerial Overview (2). The business of music is explored from a managerial perspective of structures, industry components, practical, political, and theoretical foundations. Emphasis is placed on management policies as applied to the creative and business industry standards. Copyrights, creativity, recording studio operations and processes, budgets, promotion, publicity, marketing, product development, and record label operations are detailed. Emphasis is placed on variable expenses and corresponding generated profits. Additional emphasis is placed on A&R, creative services, promotion, royalty distribution, in-house production, independent vs. major label issues and the effects of new technology.

MBU 631. Entertainment Economics (2). An application of microeconomic principles and techniques to the major industries that compose the entertainment sector of the U.S. economy. These industries include: music, movies, cable, toys and games, sports, internet, publishing, and broadcasting. The course will also examine the influence of macroeconomic forces, demography and public policy on these industries.

MBU 632. Contemporary Issues (2). Prerequisite: MBU 630. This course introduces students to major contemporary issues in the music business. Course content is presented by a combination of lectures by the instructor and lectures by experts in the current music business. Each week a speaker from the music business will give a lecture on a specific topic, followed by a give-and-take question and answer period where the students and experts interact on these issues. Among the topics covered will be executive decision-making, retail, technology, distribution, radio, publishing, international, digital transmission, entertainment law, special marketing, concert promotion, booking and management. The final project is a major research paper on "Futurism" with a specific topic in the music business.

MBU 633. Multi-Media Law (2). Prerequisite: MBU 630. This course introduces students to the legal principles governing multiple types of categories of works defined as multimedia works including, but not limited to, audio recordings, discs which store and distribute digital information, online systems, hybrid systems using combinations of disc and online media and other interactive technology. Specific legal issues, covered in this course, include intellectual property rights, licensing, distribution, state and federal government regulations, international treaties as well as ethical considerations affecting the use and exploitation of drafting will also be covered in this course.

MBU 634. Music Licensing (2). Prerequisite: MBU 630. This course will deal with contract issues related to various licenses in the music industry, including synchronization, performance, mechanical, film music and other licenses.

MBU 635. Technology in the Business of Music (2). Prerequisite: MBU 630. This course addresses computer-related technologies, such as MP3, Right Tracks, the internet, development of web pages and other technology-related issues in the music business.

MBU 639. Internship (2). Prerequisite: MBU 630. This is an internship in the music business where a student will gain experience in the music industry.