Course content.
With a strong connection to the interdisciplinary fields of sound art and sound studies, the minor “Sound: Auditory Cultures and Sonic Arts - basic” is interested in aesthetic, social, cultural and political dimensions of sound from a perspective that goes beyond music – in specific contexts of production, processing and signification and, last but not least, in its perception, i.e.: in listening.
In this minor, you will familiarise yourself with positions in sound art and sound studies and develop your own interests in these two fields. You will reflect on sound and audio practices in terms of their cultural markings, their historicity and narratives as well as their emancipatory potential. The study programme combines artistic practices, discourse and technology and thus aims to acquire a wide range of skills. Depending on your interests, your engagement with the programme can be artistic-practical or theoretical in nature and take a wide variety of forms in individual or collaborative projects.
The two minors “Sound: Auditory Cultures and Sonic Arts” (basic & advanced) offer students from all disciplines opportunities to engage with sound and listening in artistic-practical and discursive ways. In a transdisciplinary approach, the minor programmes explore sound-artistic approaches and strategies as well as theoretical reflection and provide access to specific technologies.

Skills acquired in the course.
Students learn:
–  to critically reflect on sound and listening in their aesthetic, social and political dimensions
–  to differentiate and describe relevant positions in sound art and sound studies
–  to articulate their own artistic and/or theoretical interest in sound and listening and realise this in an individual or collaborative project
–  to acquire the necessary knowledge for the realisation of their own projects.

Admissions requirements.
The “Sound: Auditory Cultures and Sonic Arts – basic” minor is suitable for BA and MA students from all disciplines at ZHdK.

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  German und English: to be able to follow a discussion
–  German oder English: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  German und English: to understand a text
–  German oder English: to write a text

Benefits of studying this minor.
“Sound: Auditory Cultures and Sonic Arts” is a consecutive minor worth 30 credits that can also be studied on two different levels as a small minor, each worth 15 credits.

→ More information about this minor (PDF download)

At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.