Overview
About the course
Particular emphasis in this Berlin - Music and Sound in the Digital Age course at Freie Universität Berlin will be made on the past and present of techno, (experimental) electronica and electronic dance music. What makes Berlin a magnet not only for thrill-seeking club-goers, but also for DJs, musicians, producers and developers?
How does this relate to the recent past of Berlin since the fall of the Berlin Wall, especially given the gentrification processes? To what extent is Berlin's creative scene at the same time internationally networked and can its conditions only be understood in a global context?
Beyond the Berlin perspective, the course examines the current conditions of production and consumption as well as the performance and distribution of music. How do legal/illegal file sharing and streaming services affect listening to music? What is changing in music culture through sampling, remixing, mashup and approaches to interactive music in video games? What opposing trends are out there?
And last but not least: To what extent has the time of the pandemic in 2020/21 changed the conditions of production, distribution and consumption of music – in Berlin and globally?
Housing
Wheelchair-accessible housing is available upon request. Please see our website for a full description of the furnished single-occupancy studio apartment and note that the registration deadline for this housing option is one month before the regular registration deadline!
About FUBiS
The Freie Universität Berlin International Summer and Winter University (FUBiS) is an intensive, academic program through which students can earn credits that may be counted towards their degrees at their home institutions. FUBiS sessions run for three to six weeks and take place both in summer and winter.
Courses
Students can choose between subject courses (mostly taught in English) and German language and culture courses. The 50+ subject courses are offered within the fields of Architecture, Art History, Politics, Law, History, Media Studies, Economics, Sustainability, Literature, Philosophy, Film, and Music. German language and culture courses are available for up to five different levels of proficiency.
Field Trips
Field trips are an integral part of all our courses. In addition, FUBiS offers excursions such as to the Berlin Reichstag building (seat of the German Parliament) and a guided tour through the underworlds of Berlin, or a day trip to Potsdam.
Programme Structure
Topics include:
- Term 'digital age'
- Distinction between analog/digital
- Music and sound
- Is there a 'sound of Berlin'?
- The history of 'analog' and 'digital' music devices and sound-recording media
- Developments in the distribution and consumption of music: legal/illegal file sharing, streaming services, blogs and self-promotion
- What is sound art?
Audience
Student Testimonials
- "I've obtained new perspectives and insights throughout the course and it's really good for my development!"
- "I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time and every penny of my money felt well spent on this class."
- "Overall, the professor was fantastic! He was extremely knowledgeable about the subjects and created a very comfortable learning environment."
- "The course was comprehensive, straight-forward, and incredibly well taught and the excursions presented were incredible as well. I'm so grateful to have taken this class."
Key information
Duration
- Part-time
- 8 days
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Deadline passed
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- Starting
- Apply before
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- Starting
- Apply before
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Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Area & Cultural Studies Music Sound EngineeringWhat students do after studying
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Freie Universität Berlin and/or in Germany, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Other requirements
General requirements
- Students must be at least 18 years of age and should have completed at least one year of higher education (college or university) at the beginning of the FUBiS program. However, registrants to the FUBiS program do not have to be enrolled in any program at the point of their registration. FUBiS also accepts registrations by adult learners and professionals. Please note that credits can only be awarded if you are currently/ have been enrolled at a university.
- This course is intended for students of any disciplines. No prior music and technology background is required. The course aims to provide an insight into the relationship between aesthetic, social and technical developments regarding music and sound in the digital age, with a special focus on the conditions in Berlin in relation to other cities. It also examines current production methods of electronic music, but does not teach the specific programming or composing of music.
Tuition Fee
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International
1300 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1300 EUR for the full programme during 8 days. -
EU/EEA
1300 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1300 EUR for the full programme during 8 days.
Living costs for Berlin
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.