2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MUS5112M The Recording Industry Now

30 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Stan Erraught
Email: s.erraught@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces students to the complex challenges faced by a recording industry in transition. On completion, students will understand the ways in the traditional model of a high value physical product, produced, manufactured and distributed by single industry companies has been replaced by complex system of interlocking tech- and context creating entities.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the recorded music industry in all its forms and to prepare them for the challenges faced by this industry through a period of significant technological, economic and social changes, whether as professionals within the recording industry or as artists or managers interacting with it. Placed in its historical, social and cultural context, the business of selling recorded music will be investigated through case studies and through analysis of the role played by recorded music in relation to live performance and to other media.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

1. Evaluate critically current developments and trends within the recording industry.

2. Analyse the successes and failures of the industry, both in terms of its own sustainability and in terms of sustaining and developing musical practice.

3. Reflect critically on case studies and examples discussed in the lectures.

4. Research real-life issues and outcomes within the recording industry.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

5. Compose and deliver an organised oral response using appropriate technologies, underpinned through appropriate evidence and which is suitable to the topic.

6. Verbally articulate an evidence-based solution to a complex problem

7. ·Identify and evaluate sources considering factors such as their currency, reliability, relevance, authorship or completeness.

Syllabus

Issues investigated may include:

The development of the recording industry and of the technologies that made it possible.

The history of the contested territory of mechanical copyright and performance rights with regard to recordings.

The challenge of digital: how the record industry has responded to file-sharing and piracy and to the challenge of streaming.

Collecting and managing revenue: blockchain and distributed ledgers. Revenue streams and practices beyond the direct sale of recorded product, whether physical or online: sync, branding partnerships etc. Managing the archive: preserving access to, and generating revenue from, historical recordings.

Artist and Repertoire management in the digital age.

Promoting and marketing recorded music.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	15	2.00	30.00
Private study hours			270.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Small group exercises within interactive lectures will simulate the assessment model and students will be given the opportunity to rehearse and film presentations.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	.	35.00
Presentation	.	65.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/01/2024

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