American Music Industry:
Understanding the Industry of Music

Overview
American Music Industry examines the multi-faceted, billion-dollar music industry. This course will examine the history and evolution of the industry, business structures of recording and auxiliary companies, music publishing and distribution, artistic management, live entertainment, copyright, and business and consumer-facing digital services.
Why Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is the heart of the entertainment industry, from musicians, to record labels, to music producers. To get a truly behind the scenes look at the music industry, Los Angeles provides a one of a kind experience, with full access to stars and industry pioneers alike.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain channels of distribution for music—traditional and contemporary.
- Recognize business structures and models within the music industry, and change agents threatening them.
- Discuss U.S. and international copyright laws, trade agreements and performing rights organizations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how artists and businesses make money from the production and distribution of music.
- Analyze growth opportunities for the music industry made possible through advances in technology.
- Describe ethical issues and solutions related to products in the music industry.
Customize Your Program
Our team is here to understand your vision, and to develop a study away program that aligns with your institutional and academic goals. Speak with one of our Partnership Development members today, and begin your journey!
Featured Experiences
Yangshan Deep Water Port
The Yangshan Deep Water Port is one of the three major constituents of the Shanghai Port, one of the busiest port facilities in the world. Considered as the world’s largest deep water port, Yangshan is built on the islands of Greater and Lesser Yangshan and is connected to the mainland through the world’s largest sea bridge – Donghai Bridge.
The Bund
The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District. From the 1860s to the 1930s, it was the rich and powerful center of the foreign establishment in Shanghai, operating as a legally protected treaty port.
Yu Gardens
A classical garden complete with period style buildings in central Shanghai. The Garden was created by Pan Yunduan a Government Officer for his family finishing in 1577.
Forbidden City
Consisting of more than 9,000 rooms and spread over 250 acres, this huge palace complex was built in the 15th century and later extensively renovated and restored during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century.
The Great Wall
The Great Wall is the collective name of a series of fortification systems generally built across the historical northern borders of China to protect and consolidate territories of Chinese states and empires against various nomadic groups of the steppe and their polities.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing. It was an imperial garden in the Qing dynasty. Mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, it covers an expanse of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is an imperial complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a rich harvest.
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