1. DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPLEX STRUCTURES OF AND INTER-RELATIONS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, INCLUDING INDUSTRY EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT AND AUDIENCE BEHAVIOUR.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MAIN METHODS OF ENQUIRY WHEN EXPLORING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTS. CARRY OUT DETAILED AND TARGETED EXAMINATIONS OF IDENTIFIED SECTOR TOPICS, CONVEYING EFFECTIVELY YOUR FINDINGS AND CRITICAL OPINIONS.
[Enquiry; Communication]

Case Study (100%)
An individually negotiated case study of a particular sector of the music industry, presented in a format of your choice selected from the following list:
Written essay, report, presentation, demonstration, workshop, audio podcast, moving image with accompanying audio commentary, or an alternative negotiated with the module leader. Your submission must be representative of 3000 words or equivalent.
[Learning Outcomes 1 & 2]

Formative Assessment:
Contribution to discussions, debates and critical reviews in class
Review of draft case study in individually selected format

The purpose of this module is to gain an understanding of the complex history of the music industry. It will explore the ongoing social, political and technological developments that have shaped the industry into the contemporary sector we recognise today, allowing it to continually lead habits within popular culture.

Through this module you will focus on the five main areas of the music industry; live performance, record companies, music publishing, artist management, and manufacture and distribution.
The music industry is ever-changing; reliant on and in many ways trend setting in terms of audience and consumer listening habits and expectations, and advancing technology for the purpose of making and listening to music. You will examine changes that have occurred over the past four decades including music platforms, governing legislation, working practices, service providers and the influence of the internet, considering ways in which these transformations impact on creative products and their route to audience.

You will explore the way in which the digital revolution has facilitated a shift that enables audiences to control media, host media content, and interact and influence the work of musicians, music producers and record companies.

You will learn how to identify inter-dependencies between various industry sectors and their respective audiences, and how commerce and culture, business and creative ambition combine to produce cultural products that generate meaning and economic value.

The module will enable you to contextualise the industry as it stands today within a broad understanding of the development of mass media, as well as a sense in which your own creative work and career ambitions may fit into future developments. In this you will explore trends, ethics and impact of music products on audiences.

Focussing your attention on a particular aspect of this wider study, you will examine in detail a specific sector within the music industry that is of personal interest to you and your anticipated future progression intentions and produce a case study that reflects this exploration and demonstrates a critical understanding of the current industry environment and its impact locally, nationally and globally as appropriate.

You will develop understanding of the Music Industry through the following strategies:
¿ Initial briefing outlining the module requirements, including assessment explanations
¿ Visual screenings / audible sessions of music products
¿ Lectures in history, theory, key developments
¿ Seminars discussing organisational structures, business opportunity and audiences
¿ Formative written exercises, workshops, debates and discussions giving an opportunity for tutor feedback
¿ Library based independent study and research
¿ Group tutorials
¿ Individual tutorials
¿ Guest Speakers

Allen P. (2014) Artist Management for the Music Business: Routledge
Britten A. (2009) Working in the Music Industry: How To Books
Gammons H. (2011) The Art of Music Publishing: An Entrepreneurial Guide to Publishing and Copyright for the Music, Film, and Media Industries: Focal press
Harrison A. (2014) Music: The Business - 6th Edition: Fully revised and updated, including the latest changes to Copyright law: Virgin Books
Passman D. (2014) All You Need To Know About The Music Business: Viking
Pattenden S. (2007) How To Make it in the Music Business: Virgin Books
Riches N. (2012) Music Management Bible New Revised Edition: Music Sales Ltd
Rogers J. (2013) The Death and Life of the Music Industry in the Digital Age: Bloomsbury Academic
Wilkstrom P. (2013) The Music Industry: Music in the Cloud (DMS - Digital Media and Society): Polity Press

Video projector / audio facilities
Wide range of clips / audio clips
Seminar room