This seminar will be an in-depth study of sound collections at the Center for World Music in Hildesheim. We will delve deep into issues surrounding colonialism, nationalism, orientalism and the history of sound collection in western Europe, particularly Germany. Along with practical aspects such as accessing sound collections which include musical instruments, several recording and digitisation technology/equipment as well as books, we will also explore the theoretical dimensions of archives and history itself. By doing so, we will be able to critically reflect on the presents and futures of archives as institutions that preserve and at the same time erase, marginalise and manipulate history thereby putting into question their fundamental rationality. Thus, one of the goals and “assessments” of this seminar will be an exhibition of themes and objects covered in this course.

PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE OF THIS SEMINAR AREFULLY AS IT WILL BE A COMBINATION OF REGULAR AND BLOCK SEMINARS.