College of Business

Survey of Music Business

BMGT 2003/MUAR 2003 (3 credits)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An Introductory overview of the music industry business, including songwriting, live performance, the
record industry, music merchandising, contracts and licenses, and career opportunities.
INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Jeff Lockhart
Office Hours: M-W-F 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Office Location: Barton 210
Office Phone: 425.889.5206
Cellphone: 425.761.9549
Email: jeff.lockhart@northwestu.edu
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Jeff Lockhart is a Professor in the Northwest University College of Business. He also currently serves as
the Executive Director of the Kirkland Performance Center (KPC). He founded Creatio at NU and
codeveloped and launched its 2 fully accredited B.A. degrees (B.A. Music Business and B.F.A. Recording
Arts Technology), as well as co-implemented Creatios recording studios. Lockhart was formerly the V.P.
of Advancement at NU as well as serving as the liaison between NU and the Seattle Seahawks for the
Seahawks NFL summer training at the University from 2006-08. Lockhart co-founded, manages, and
plays drums in Crme Tangerine, along with co-founding its supporting management company Easytone
LLC. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.)
REQUIRED TEXT:
Passman, D. (2012). All you need to know about the music business (8th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press.
ISBN: 978-1-4516-8246-5
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify marketing techniques used by record labels and music acts.
2. Develop an understanding of the structure of the recording industry.
3. Develop an understanding about product distribution.

4. Gain knowledge of copyrighting, songwriting, publishing, and royalties.

5. Identify the role of managers, agents, and agencies in the music industry.
6. Gain an awareness of present and future music industry trends.
GRADING AND EVALUATION:
Students are expected to participate in class. Assignments will be graded and returned within one week of
submission. Grading will be based on a point system. You will receive a later grade at the end of the class
based on the points you earned. There is no optional extra credit.
Method for Evaluation/Student deliverables:
75
50
50
50
50
25
300

10 page paper or project

Mid-term exam
Final exam (comprehensive)
Talking points
Guest speaker reaction paper
Weekly participation
Total points

Grading Scale
GRADES & POINTS
282 - 300 = A
219 - 230 = C
270 - 281 = A- 210 - 218 = C- 261 - 269 =
B+
201 - 209 = D+
249 - 260 = B
189 - 200 = D
240 - 248 = B180 - 188 = D231 - 239 = C+
Below 179 = F

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

Preparation: Be prepared when class begins. This means that you are in your seat, ready to learn
before class begins. Class discussion and participation are critical to the learning process,
especially in the dynamic environment of this course.
Be prepared to discuss the material. This is not just a lecture course. Regular attendance and
active participation in class discussions will enhance your learning.

Professionalism: Written communications are a reflection on each student. Expectations of

interactions during this course are for every student to represent himself or herself in a
professional manner. This means students need to use appropriate vocabulary (no slang or text
talk or profanity); use appropriate grammar; and write in a manner that is respectful to others.
Email communications should be formatted similar to a business letter (recipients name, the
body of the message, and a closing citation including the senders name). Include what course
you are enrolled in that is pertinent to the message.

Papers will be presentable and professional. Papers will be typed in Times New Roman font, 12
pt., double-spaced.

Laptop Use: Laptops may only be used during class sessions with the permission of the
professor. When approved, be courteous to other students while using the computer during class.

Cell Phones: Cell phones should always off during class sessions.

Academic Honesty and Student Behavior: Students are expected to follow University policy
with regards to issues of academic honesty (e.g. cheating, plagiarism) and proper conduct in the
classroom, as detailed in the Academic Catalog. Disciplinary action for violation of these policies
will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will be in accordan ce with University policy.

Turn in all work on time. Late papers will not be accepted without previous permission from the
Instructor.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Tentative Class Schedule*
Scheduled/Topics (per week):
1. Overview/History/State of the Industry/Glossary/ Individual Goals
2. Copyright: Chapter 15
3. Publishing: Chapters 16, 17, 19
4. Songwriting: Chapters 18, 20, 21, 29, 30 Mid-Term Exam
5. Licensing, Royalties and Collection: Chapters 31, 13
6. BDS/Sound Scan pp: 148 149
7. Record Labels and Organizations: Chapter 7
8. Record Contracts: Chapters 8, 9, 12, 22
9. Distribution, Retail: Chapter 14
10. Producers, Mixers: Chapter 11
11. Agents and Managers: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
12. Record Marketing: Chapters 24, 25
13. Projects/presentations Guest speaker reaction due
14. Projects/presentations
15. Final
* Schedule may vary depending upon the needs of the class.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Adaptability Expectation
Note that at least one assignment in this course will be modified so that students can practice
becoming flexible, resilient and adaptable learners in the business environment.
Talking Points
Students will come to each Thursday prepared to discuss 2 talking points based on the required
class reading. Talking points are points of interest, opinions, observations, questions, etc. These

must be typed, and be at least 4 paragraphs long (2 paragraphs for each talking point). Students
will be randomly called on to discuss their talking points for class discussion, as well as discuss
observations in a group setting. The talking points must be submitted via email to the instructor
before the start of class. None will be accepted after class. Students must bring a copy of their
talking points to use in class (either hard copy or electronically).
Guest Speaker Reaction
A 2 page reaction paper will be assigned that will cover an aspect of a guest speaker topic or highlight one
or more guest speaker presentations.
Paper/Project
A 10 page paper or project will be assigned that must cover one of the weekly topics discussed in class.
Each student will be expected to present and discuss their findings with the class.
Mid-Term and Final Exam
A comprehensive mid-term and final exam will be given to students in this course.
Class Participation:

Participation: Throughout this course, students are expected to be present and prepared to discuss issues
relevant to the course and to participate in-group activities. For these activities, students will be required
to be actively involved to receive credit (i.e., making substantive comments, answering questions,
working in teams, and preparing presentations). Seating placement will be at the sole and exclusive
discretion of the instructor. Each class we will focus on issues covered in the reviewed materials. Your
input and participation are key to a successful discussion. You will be called upon randomly and will be
fully expected to share during those times. It is important to note that there will be insufficient time to
cover every issue in depth during this survey course. Students should bring their textbook to class as part
of their participation grade.

Attendance: A missed class is a missed class, regardless of the reason. Participation points are not given
for this class, but your grade will be impacted for unexcused absences. Makeup work is permitted for
excused absences with at least 24 hours of notice given to the instructor prior to the absence and prior
approval from the instructor. Missing more than 3 unexcused absences may lower your entire grade for
the course. If you miss 25 percent of the course, you may be asked to withdraw from the class. Excused
absences are pre-approved University activities and it is incumbent upon the student to notify the
instructor prior to the missed class of an approved absence. Arrivals after attendance is taken will be
marked as late with participation points deducted. The number of points deducted is made at the
discretion of the professor. Arrivals after 15 minutes from class start are counted as absent.
Grade Descriptors: 2016 - 17 Academic Catalog
Grade

Quality of Performance

A 4.0

Superior performance in all aspects of the course with work

exemplifying the highest quality. Unquestionably prepared for
subsequent courses in field.

A- 3.7

Superior performance in most aspects of the course; high quality work in

the remainder. Unquestionably prepared for subsequent courses in field.

B+ 3.3

High quality performance in all or most aspects of the course. Very good
chance of success in subsequent courses in field.
High quality performance in some of the course; satisfactory
performance in the remainder. Good chance of success in subsequent
courses in field.

B 3.0

B- 2.7

Satisfactory performance in the course. Evidence of sufficient learning to

succeed in subsequent courses in field.

C+ 2.3

Satisfactory performance in most of the course, with the remainder being

somewhat substandard. Evidence of sufficient learning to succeed in
subsequent courses in field with effort.

C 2.0

Evidence of some learning but generally marginal performance.

Marginal chance of success in subsequent courses in field.

C- 1.7

Minimal learning and substandard performance throughout the course.

Doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses.

D+ 1.3

Minimal learning and low quality performance throughout the course.

Doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses.

D 1.0

Very minimal learning and very low quality performance in all aspects of
the course. Highly doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses in
field.

D- 0.7

Little evidence of learning. Poor performance in all aspects of the course.

Almost totally unprepared for subsequent courses in field.

F 0.0

Failure to meet requirements of the course. Unprepared for subsequent

courses in the field.