COP3 - Urban Culture in Theory and Action

8 August 2016 – 20 August 2016
Hosted by University of Copenhagen

This summer school presents students with a unique opportunity to experience urban culture in theory and action in Copenhagen

The program focuses on cultural entrepreneurship and social innovation in the city by combining urban theory with hands-on practice. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and field trips, the student will engage with cultural practitioners, social activists and urban theorists. Bringing academic knowledge of urban life together with empirical know-how generated by actors, the program do-it-yourself approach will help students develop their own ideas into project proposals that can inspire entrepreneurship and innovation in their home cities.

The program is tied together with the simultaneous STRØM electronic music festival and embedded within Copenhagen’s alternative spaces, including the co-creative community PB43.

Using Copenhagen as a laboratory for studying the creative and innovative use or development of urban space, the summer school also opens up to cross-cultural and global perspectives through presentations of research from Asia and the Middle East.

Field Trip

The course includes numerous field trips and workshops throughout Copenhagen, some of which are organized by the STRØM music festival and the PB43 community.

Target Audience/ Prerequisites

The target audience is Master students, but the course is open to 3rd or 4th year undergraduate students and graduate students.

Master students from any discipline with an interest in cities and culture are encouraged to apply. Good English skills are required.

After enrollment, students must no later than 27 July 2016 submit an outline (max. 250 words) of an idea for a cultural or social project (e.g. an alternative use of public space, a community development initiative, a festival, event, happening, exhibition, installation, performance, showcase, competition, intervention etc. – all creative ideas are welcome). Students will then be paired in groups based on the affinity of their project ideas, and together, they will develop hypothetical projects.

Delivery Method & Learning Outcomes

The program consists of lectures and talks by Danish and international scholars of standing; seminars and group tutorials run by the summer school team; and field trips and fieldwork assignments outside the university.

Students are expected to:

• Be prepared by having studied the required reading before the summer school begins;
• Attend all sessions;
• Actively participate in group work, discussions and field trips.

The program seeks to cultivate a knowledge of:

• Relevant problems in the study of the relationship between cities and culture;
• Practical approaches to entrepreneurship, social innovation and project work in networks, businesses, organizations and institutions engaged with urban culture and space;
• Creative, innovative and artistic approaches to change, development and improvement of urban societies, particularly the alternative use of urban space.

Students should develop general skills in:

• Applying relevant theories, methods and tools of the program in project development;
• Identifying, analyzing and understanding the potentials and challenges contained within a city or a specific urban space;
• Contributing to creative processes in new or established networks, businesses, organizations and institutions.

Students will be trained in:

• Formulating and presenting an idea for an urban cultural entrepreneurship or social innovation project;
• Discussing the idea in relation to cross-cultural and comparative perspectives.

Assessment

Active participation, understood as:

1. Active class attendance (75% attendance as documented in the attendance records);
2. Submission of project idea (see Prerequisites) no later than 27 July 2016;
3. Participation in group work, including:

• Submission of group project synopsis (5 pages); and
• Oral presentation of project proposal (5-10 minutes pr. group member)

Credit equivalent at host university & contact hours

7,5 ECTS (30 credits is a full semester load)
70 total contact hours (classroom) + 20 field trip hours (excluding self-study hours)

Lecturer(s) / Tutor(s)

Rasmus Christian Elling (Assistant Professor) and several guest lecturers, entrepreneurial experts and cultural practitioners from Denmark and abroad TBA

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through http://housingfoundation.ku.dk and/or http://studies.ku.dk/summer/housing-for-summer-course , where:

Students must arrive by Friday, 5 August 2016.
Students will be able to check in from Monday, 1 August 2016.
Check-out date Wednesday, 31 August 2016.

Students have the option to stay longer upon request.

However students may find accommodation on their own, but must arrive one day prior course start.

Costs

Figures are estimates only. Click on each item for details.

Required and/or Recommended Insurance(s)

http://studies.ku.dk/welcome/living-in-copenhagen/health-and-safety/insurance

Further required Application Material

The applicants are encouraged to write and submit a letter of motivation that can indicate areas of interest and plans for future studies.

Further Information

Visit: urban.tors.ku.dk