Music Business Courses (MBU)

MBU 1110. Survey of Music Business (3). This course is a general overview and a study of the major functional areas of the music business. Attention is given to the theoretical foundations and practical application of current business practices in the music industry including supporting organizations and the revenue flow from music consumer to creator.

MBU 2000. Internship and Career Foundations (1). Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. This career development course addresses personal and professional development, career and job strategies, interviewing and networking skills, and internship participation expectations.

MBU 2130. History of the Recording Business (3). A study of the history of the recorded music business from 1877 to the present with emphasis on the development of independent and major recording labels, popular recordings, social, cultural, economic and political influences, and the stylistic differences of notable historic time periods.

MBU 2520. Copyright Law (3). Prerequisite: MBU 1110 or EIS 1220. This course provides an in-depth study of copyright law in the entertainment industry including its origins, rationale, protections, and limitations.

MBU 2610. Radio Promotions (1). Prerequisite: MBU 1110 or EIS 1220. A study of the major areas of radio promotion as it relates to the music industry. Students receive an in-depth look at the label's use of charting, demographics, release plans, sales and the role of research in the life of a radio single.

MBU 2620. Influencing Culture as a Christian in the Entertainment Industry (3). This course examines the role and influence of Christianity within the entertainment industries with an emphasis on how the Christian faith and Christian ethics influences business practices, marketing and the development of entertainment products and the creative arts, and the role that Christians play as creatives and in professional entertainment workplaces.  Emphasis will be placed on raising awareness of strategies for maintaining one’s Christian identity and influencing culture when working in the entertainment industry.

MBU 2730.  Electronic Media in the Music Industry (3).  Prerequisite:  MBU 1110 or EIS 1220.  This course investigates the integration of electronic media and the media's role in promoting music-oriented artists.  Emphasis is given to current events, personal, and professional change, and predicting the future influence of electronic media industries.

MBU 3000. Music Business Internship (1-6). Prerequisites: MBU 2000, MBU 3450, junior standing, a minimum of 2.0 Belmont cumulative G.P.A. This formal career education experience enables students to intern at entertainment business organizations for a selected period of time. Grade is pass/fail.  (May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credit hours.) 
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I - Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

MBU 3330. International Music Business (3). Prerequisite: MBU 1110 or permission of instructor. An exploration of issues confronting entertainment and Music Business firms in a competitive global environment. Particular emphasis includes the manufacturing, marketing, management or financing of entertainment and promotion of the music and entertainment industries which are additional areas of study.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G - Global Studies).

MBU 3360. Entertainment Career Development (3). Prerequisite: MBU 1110. A study of personal entertainment career development and management including educational, promotional, and financial concerns of the professional entertainer. Various unions, guilds, and associations are studied from the entertainer's viewpoint.

MBU 3450. Music Publishing (3). Prerequisite: MBU 2520. This course is a study of music publishing income streams, contracts and licensing, foreign publishing, catalog development, setting up a publishing company.


MBU 3550. Music Industry Contract Law (3).  Prerequisite MBU 2520 & MGT 2410.  This course examines the background and principles of contract law as applied to the negotiation, creation, interpretation, and enforcement of binding agreements in the music industry.

MBU 3620. Marketing of Recorded Music (3). Prerequisites: MBU 1110, MKT 3210 or permission of instructor. A study of the theories and techniques used in the marketing of recorded music by major and independent labels and artists to consumers. Topics include market structure and analysis, distribution methods, promotional strategies, charts, airplay, pricing, research and legal issues specific to entertainment marketing. 
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (C - Community Based Research).

MBU 3720. Public Relations in the Music Industry (3). Prerequisite: MBU 1110. An applied based overview of the functions and tools of public relations (PR) techniques used to affect public perception and image of an artist within the music industry. Topics include the analysis of media strategy and crisis control, the development of press releases, print and electronic press kits, promotional events and artist-oriented news for media distribution.

MBU 3740. Music Supervision In Film and Television (3). Prerequisite: MBU 2520 and junior standing.  This course presents the role of the Music Supervisor through an analysis of scripts and the exploration of the musical, financial, legal, and production aspects of placing music in film, television, and other entertainment media.

MBU 3760. A & R Administration (3). Prerequisite: MBU 2520.  This course presents the artist and repertoire (A & R) operations of recording companies including how contractual obligations impact activities and profitability and how music products are delivered and archived for future re-purposing.

MBU 3990-4990. Independent Studies (1-3). Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes.

MBU 3895-4895. Special Topics (1-3). Special Topics or pilot courses.

MBU 3950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

MBU 4015. Senior Capstone (1). Prerequisite: Junior Cornerstone Seminar and ENG 3010, Third-Year Writing. This course is a culminating experience in the major, which also addresses the goals for the Senior Capstone as defined in the course description for GND 4015. These goals include reflection on the students' whole educational experiences and on their transition from the university setting to post-graduation.


MBU 4200. Record Company Operations (3). Prerequisites: MBU 3450.  Practicum-based course applying the operational principles of independent record labels.  Gen. Ed. Designation:  EL (I- Interships, Clinicals, Practica).
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I - Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

MBU 4630. Legal Issues in the Entertainment Industry (3). Prerequisites: MBU 2520. This course presents an overview of current and emerging legal trends that have significant implications in the entertainment industries.

MBU 4800. Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry (3). Prerequisite: MBU 1110. Entertainment entrepreneurship is based on the process of identifying opportunities in the entertainment marketplace, exploring potential resources to pursue those opportunities, and committing to action the resources necessary to exploit the opportunities for long-term gain.

MBU 4820. Artist Management (3). Prerequisites: MBU 3450, MBU 2520, MGT 3110, or permission of instructor. An analysis of the various aspects of artist management including talent agencies, personal management, performance and recording contracts, tours, and artist promotion.

MBU 4830. Concert Promotion and Booking (3). Prerequisites: MBU 2520 or permission of instructor. A study of the role of the concert promoter and the organization of concert promoting, including contracts, riders, venues, audience projections/demographics, and finance (budgets, corporate sponsorships, gate receipts, etc.).
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I - Internships, Clinicals, Practica).