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Curriculum

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Overview


The Recording Industry major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Recording Industry. The 120-semester-hour program is divided into:


  • 48 hours of Recording Industry (RIM) courses*
  • 18 hours of required core courses
  • 12-15 hours of required sub-core courses specific to each concentration
  • 15-18 hours of major elective courses from lists specific to each concentration
  • 41 hours of University General Studies courses
  • 15 - 24 hours from an approved minor (see right sidebar)*
  • 4 - 12 hours of general electives

* these hours are determined by the chosen minor.

University General Studies Requirements for RI majors:


  • MATH 1710 College Algebra (or higher math) for the General Studies Math requirement
  • RIM/JOUR/EMC 1020 American Media and Social Institutions will count in both the General Studies program and in the RI major
  • Computer Literacy, INFS 2200, or a computer science minor


Each Recording Industry major must choose one of three concentrations.

Course requirements for the 45 hours of RIM courses are determined by the concentration elected by the student:


  • Audio Production
  • Music Business
  • Commercial Songwriting

Core Courses


The core courses, required for all concentrations, make up 18 of the 45 hours of RIM courses.




Required Sub-Core courses by Concentration

Audio Production: 15 hours.



Commercial Songwriting: 15 hours


Music Business: 12 hours.



Electives


Each concentration has a list of approved elective courses. Students may take up to 9 hours from any of the elective lists. The remaining major electives must be from the list approved for their concentration. No more than six hours of internship and/or practicum courses may be counted toward the major electives.


Audio Production electives



Commercial Songwriting electives



Music Business electives



Of the 15 hours of electives, 3 hours may be selected from:

  • MUHL 3670: History of Popular Music in America
  • P S 3530: Legal Writing & Research
  • Jour 2710: Media Writing
  • ENGL 3810: British Popular Culture
  • SOC 4170: Social Context of Southern Music
Concentrations And Minors

Choose one of the following concentrations:


  • Music Business
  • Commercial Songwriting
  • Audio Production & Technology

One minor is required for all Recording Industry majors.

Music Business

students must minor in one of the following:


  • Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Mass Comm. Journalism
  • Mass Comm. Media Management
  • Mass Comm. Public Relations

Commercial Songwriting

students must minor in one of the following:


  • Music
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Writing

Audio Production & Technology

students may minor in any MTSU minor area. Recommended minors are:


  • Computer Science
  • Electro-Acoustics
  • Electronics
  • Entertainment Technology
  • Mass Comm. – any area
  • Music Industry
  • Theatrical Design

The following is a brief description of some minors:

Business Administration:

Preparation for general business careers. The study of accounting methods, management, finance, and marketing.


Computer Science:

A blend of theory, abstraction and design in the application of computers and computer programming.


Electronics:

The study of electrical circuits, electronic components, circuit design, microprocessors, and applications.


Electro-Acoustics:

The study of Physics, Electronics and Acoustics.


Entertainment Technology:

Cross-departmental study intended to give the student a broad background in the technology used to produce a variety of media including Theatre and Video.


Entrepreneurship:

Preparation to organize and assume the risk of a business or enterprise.


Mass Communication:

This minor can include study in any of the Mass Communication areas: Advertising, Digital Imaging, Graphics, Journalism, Media Management, Photography, Public Relations, Radio-Television Production and Management. Business concentration students must choose between Journalism, Media Management and Public Relations.


Marketing:

Preparation to assume marketing responsibilities including sales management, retailing, advertising/promotion, market research, and product development.


Music Industry:

Application of musical principles intended to further the study of students with a formal music background. Emphasis on commercial music.


Theatrical Design:

The design and application of theatre technology.