This summer semester 2026, many experts from the music and media industry and research will once again do us the honour of guest lecturing on our study programmes.
Thomas Venker - City, Scene, Sound: Music scenes as social spaces and their effect on artists' biographies
We are delighted to once again welcome music journalist Thomas Venker to our study programme.
In his seminar "City, Scene, Sound: Music Scenes as Social Spaces and their Impact on Artists' Biographies", students delve deep into the interactions between urban space, musical communities and the music industry.
From Motown in industrial Detroit and the DIY-driven grunge scene in Seattle to techno between Detroit and Berlin or punk in Los Angeles: specific examples are used to analyse how social structures, economic conditions and media narratives intertwine.
There is also a special focus on journalistic communication: how can these complex interrelationships be presented in an understandable, critical and narrative way?
Dr André Rottgeri - Transformations of Popular Music in Analysis
Dr André Rottgeri will devote his seminar to the diverse forms of reshaping popular music.
The focus will be on processes such as sampling, cover versions, interpolation or stylistic appropriation, both on a musical, textual and visual level. Chord progressions, beats, lyrics, but also performances and music videos are analysed.
Against the backdrop of current developments such as artificial intelligence and the increased use of back catalogues by the music industry, the topic is gaining additional relevance. Questions of authorship and legal conflicts can also play a role here.
Dr Sarah Mengede - Feminism, Solidarity and Shared Positionality in Contemporary Rock Journalism
In her seminar, Dr Sarah Mengede deals with feminist perspectives on contemporary music journalism.
The focus is on questions of gender equality, solidarity and diversity as well as the responsibility of music journalists in the context of digital media cultures. At the same time, patriarchal structures and neoliberal dynamics are critically analysed.
Based on current research, students learn about feminist theories and methods and apply them to their own examples.
Jörg Maas - Planning, shooting and editing moving images at the Freak Valley Festival 2026 in collaboration with WDR Rockpalast
Jörg Maas' seminar will take a practical approach to the planning, shooting and editing of moving images for the Freak Valley Festival 2026.
After a preparatory phase in Paderborn, students will go on an excursion to the Freak Valley Festival to produce their own video material. At the same time, the students gain insights into professional production processes in the music television sector. For some time now, the co-operation with the Freak Valley Festival and Jörg Maas (WDR) has been a successful and instructive time, about which the students always report positively.
Dr Hannes Liechti - Trackology 2: Tracing the history of pop music
With "Trackology 2: Tracing the History of Pop Music", Dr Hannes Liechti continues his examination of the history of pop music.
Starting with early songs from the 20th century, the development is traced right up to the present day. The focus is on the paths of individual songs through different times, genres and cultural contexts.
Issues discussed include distribution, technological developments and concepts of identity, gender and cultural change.
Stephan Benn - Legal foundations of the music industry
In Stephan Benn's seminar, students will gain insights into the legal framework of the music and media industry.
The seminar will cover copyright basics, typical contractual constellations and current developments and thus central aspects that are relevant for artistic and commercial work in the music industry.
We look forward to an exciting semester, inspiring insights and many new perspectives!