MU-400 Music Business I

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's Programme in Popular Music
• Master's Programme in Music Management

Course contents

The focus of this course is to establish an understanding of how the music industry works, how it is built up and what the core stakeholders and their functions are. We will particularly look at copyright, and how copyright and licensing form the fundamentals of music business. The course will also focus on the economic principles that music business builds on and on the revenue streams that follows from these. We will also look at the live music industry and how it works.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, the student should:  

• understand the structures and dynamics of the music industries and be able explain how it works, who the key stakeholders are and what they do

• understand the historic background of copyright and have knowledge about intellectual property rights, author’s rights, patent law, contract law and company law 

• understand Intellectual Property within an arts management/cultural industry context 

• understand the music industry origin, development, and the connection between its different

revenue streams 

Examination requirements

• Two term papers 

• Compulsory attendance in the lectures. 

Further information is given at the beginning of the semester through Canvas.

Teaching methods

The course makes use of lectures, seminars, and group work. The course will include and build on different professional websites and online sources, in addition to the academic literature. Guest lecturers from the music industry may also be utilized and the course will include meeting-points with the professional music industries. 

 

Parts of the lessons are mandatory. These parts are communicated at the beginning of the semester through Canvas. The expected workload for students is 27 hours per credit. 

Assessment methods and criteria

One 5-hour individual written exam. 

Assessment: Graded