Germany

There is hardly any musical style, genre, or context which has not been significantly affected by the pervasive digitalization of recent decades. From digital audio workstations to computer-generated music, from laptop performances to fan remixes, from cloud computing to commercial distribution channels – digital technology has profoundly changed the ways in which music is produced, performed, disseminated, and consumed. This course examines the nature of these shifts and samples salient and productive intersections of music and technology. Through specific case studies, the course tackles the following questions: How have digital technologies enabled unprecedented modes of making, using and perceiving music? In what ways has digital mediatization shaped our experiences with musical content and style? And how do we reconcile the long-established connections between music, performance and liveness in an era when the paradigm of reproduction seems to be omnipresent? In the first five sessions the course considers the impact of digital technologies on the production of music. After an introducing outline of basic shifts in music and musicianship caused by digitalization and the computer, the course looks at concrete musical examples in order to understand the influence of digital technologies both on the creative process of music making and on the aesthetic reflection on it. The second half of the course starts with exemplary examinations of digital music technologies in music-related genres and domains, such as film, video games, or sound art. At the end of the semester the course extends the scope and considers cultural issues that are entailed by digital possibilities of sharing, disseminating, and consuming music. In particular, we discuss the intertwining of digitization and commodification as well as its impact on the experience of music in everyday life.

This seminar deals with the linguistic subfield of syntax. Concepts and terms of syntactic analysis are introduced and applied to Romance languages. Students learn about different generative and usage-based syntax theories and analyze specific syntactic phenomena in detail. In addition to these basics, a main focus of the seminar is to work out the points of contact and interfaces of syntax with other areas of linguistics, such as morphology, semantics, information structure, and pragmatics.

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics in everyday situations and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the A1 level according to CEFR, students are introduced to basic grammar points and learn basic vocabulary. All four skills are developed and applied to everyday situations and some study-related situations. The A1 level is split into two courses, the A1.1 course covers the first half of the level and the A1.2 course covers the second half of the level.

This pre-semester course prepares foreign students for academic study at a German university. The focus is on the improvement of oral and written expression as well as grammar and lexical proficiency. The course covers selected topics on German politics and society within a historical context. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural topics in everyday situations and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the B2 level according to CEFR, students consolidate their knowledge of grammar and study complex structures. They systematically expand their vocabulary and include abstract terms and topics. The course includes exercises to improve oral and written communication such as doing research, structuring, presenting, and discussing. Writing skills are enhanced through different types of academic texts and handouts. The B2 level is split into two courses, the B2.1 course covers the first half of the level and the B2.2 course covers the second half of the level.

In this bridge class on the A2/B1 level according to CEFR, students review, consolidate, and are further introduced to basic grammar points and vocabulary. All four skills are further developed and expanded upon. Topics are taken from Berlin and German history and culture and also include politics as well as intercultural topics and current events.