Table of Contents
Instructor Information
Course Description
Course Objectives
Texts
Field Trips
Assignments
Course Policies
Course Schedule and Readings
Final Examination

Course Description
The subject of this special topics course is "Recording Music." The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with various ways in which scholars have viewed the process of music recording. The recording process is not viewed as simply a matter of storing sonic information, but a distinct act with its own aesthetic, creative, economic, social and political/ideological imperatives. In addition, the the music recoding industry is a volatile site in the development of music as cultural practice.
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Course Objectives
Therefore, students in this course will read and discuss scholarly and popular works that will allow students:

1. to understand the technologies employed in recording music
2. to understand music recording as an industrial process; and
3. to articulate music recording as cultural and social practice.

Texts

• Repeated Takes by Michael Chanan
• Off The Record by David Morton
• Any sound you can imagine: Making music/consuming technology by Paul Thérberge
• Media Communication Terms
• Additional readings as assigned.

Field Trips
During the course of the semester, two field trips will be arranged (dates to be determined). Each trip will be to a recording studio in Fort Wayne. The two studios provide a contrast in terms of mode of operation. Sweetwater Sound is a well-known full service company, offering everything from studio time to musical instruments and recording equipment. Temple Studios is an entrepeneur based company which offers a range of audio recording services. Click here for details.

Assignments
All assignment must be completed.

1. Listening Journal: Each student will compile a "Listening Journal" during the semester. The Journal should be brought to every class (except field trip days). Students will be called upon randomly to talk about their listening activities. The journal will be handed in at the end of the semester for full credit (100 points). Note: Students are encourage to keep an electronic version of the journal for submission.
2. Recording Report: Each student will offer an "in-depth" analysis of a specific recording, either contemporary or historical. The recording may be a commercially available release or a "home recording." The report should evaluate the aesthetics of the recording within an apppropriate context.
3. Midterm Examination: An in-class examination on the applicable terminology of the music recording industry.
4. Magazine/web site report: Each student will present a written report on a magazine (popular or trade) or a Web site that presents information that pertains to the music recording industry. Students will also offer a short oral presentation at which time the magazine or website will be shown to the class.
5. Research paper: Each student will conceptualize, research and write a research project on a topic in the area of music recording. The research paper will be informed by a specific research perspective (historical, technological, cultural, etc.).
   The research paper will be completed according to the following schedule:
   • February 6: Research Topic Due
   • March 4: Preliminary Bibliography and Outline Due
   • April 10: First Draft of Research Paper Due
   • May 1: Research Paper Due
   • Final Examination: A take-home essay exam due at the Final Examination time on Thursday May 8, 1-3 PM.

Grading
Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:

Listening Journal Due April 24	100 points
Recording Report Due March 20	200 points
Midterm Examination February 27	100 points
Magazine/web report Due April 3	100 points
Research Project	300 points
Final Examination	200 points
Total	1000 points

The final grade will be based on the following scale:

Points	Grade
1000-890 points	A
889-790 points	B
789-700 points	C
699-600 points	D
599 points-below	F

Course Policies
1. You are expected to attend class.
2. All assignments must be turned in. Failure to turn in an assigment will result in a grade of "F" for the course.
3. No late assignments will be accepted. Due dates are stated in the syllabus.
4. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.

Campus Services

URL:http://users.ipfw.edu/tankel/syllabi/Spring2003/com491.htm
Revised: 10 January 2003