Module: Music Business

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Music Business
Module Code	MC413 (ITS) / MPA1076 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	Cormac O'Brien
Module Teachers	Jenna Harris, Matthew Jacobson
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

A module designed to give learners the skills to promote their music through the press and online, and to further their careers through developing projects and making funding applications. Areas covered will include PR and self-promotion, (including the creation of an Electronic Press Kit), understanding copyright laws and publishing rights, and how to make a coherent and effective grant application

Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to develop their own press kits and promote themselves through the media and online via social media
2. Gain the technical knowledge to self-produce their own albums
3. Have the ability to prepare funding applications
4. Acquire valuable entrepreneurial skills which can be used in their professional life

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly, A one-hour weekly lecture-workshop
Independent Study	101	Developing an EPK, writing a grant application, research on the mechanics of performing rights
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Section one
Section one looks at PR and self-promotion and ways of presenting the artist, or artist’s group to the press and to social media.

Section two
Section two focuses on aspects of music recording from both an artist and record label side of production, as well as looking at musicians' rights, contracts, copyright laws, publishing deals etc.

Section three
Section three looks at funding opportunities in Ireland and abroad and addresses the skills required to put applications together for various projects.

Areas covered
° Producing an Electronic Press Kit ° Understanding Performing Rights ° Understanding copyright law ° Understanding contracts ° Development of skill sets in making grant applications ° Using Social Media as a marketing tool ° The effective use of websites as a promotional tool

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Project	PR and self-promotion project including setting up of an artist Facebook Page and the creation of an EPK	35%	Week 8
Essay	A 500-word essay, summarising the topics covered in the module relating to recording, including musicians’ rights, contracts and copyright laws	30%	Other
Assignment	Demonstration of skill-set on how to make a coherent and effective grant application	35%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Peter Spellman: 0, The self-promoting musician, Boston, MA; Berklee Press, 0876391390
Mike King: 0, Music Marketing: Press, Promotion, Distribution, and Retail, Hal Leonard, 087639098X
George Howard: 0, Music Publishing 101, Berklee Press, 0876390629

Other Resources

0, Website, 0, IMRO FAQs on Irish Copyright Law, https://www.imro.ie/music-creators/about-copyright/faqs-on-copyright/,