About us
The Department of Music Sociology at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna was founded in 1965 on the initiative of Kurt Blaukopf and has since that time represented the subject area of music sociology in its full range. In the Austrian tradition of empirical research in the arts and culture, our department is committed to the following principles:
- Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working methods
- Maintaining a close relationship with artistic practice
- Research with cultural and socio-political relevance
- Integrating research and teaching
- International cooperation
Mission
In its research, the department is committed to observing and documenting current developments in musical life and to analysing and assessing them against the background of historical developments. In view of the rapid technological, economic, legal, and cultural policy changes that musical life is currently subject to (the digital mediamorphosis), this represents a considerable scientific challenge. In this regard, the department’s main research tasks include the analysis of the cultural labour market (especially the music labour market), reception studies, the investigation of gender-specific aspects of music production and acquisition, and the analysis of media, culture, and music policy.
In its teaching, the focus is on conveying and deepening our current understanding of the practice of music making and music teaching. Students are provided not only with fundamental knowledge, but also with research skills, with the aim of bringing art and science closer together. The Department of Music Sociology mentors bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD theses in the subjects of music sociology, cultural sociology, and cultural institution studies.
Memberships
Austrian Association for Sociology (ÖGS)
Working Group for Sociology of Art, Section for Cultural Sociology at the German Sociological Association (DGS)
Section for Cultural Sociology at the German Sociological Association (DGS)
Archiv der Jugendkulturen e.V.
Research Network Sociology of the Arts at the European Sociological Association (ESA)
Research Network Implicit Knowledge (FORIM)
German Society for Popular Music Studies
International Association for Music Business Research
German-Speaking Branch (IASPM D-A-CH) at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music
International Society for Metal Music Studies (ISMMS)
Sociology of Arts Research Committee at the International Sociological Association (ISA)
International Gustav Mahler Society
Formats of Participation
Our department is committed to the following formats of participation:
Regular department meetings
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Setting of dates and preparation of the agenda with the involvement of all department members
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Draft minutes of the meetings are sent to all department members by email for completion and control
Special department meetings to plan teaching and budget for the upcoming year
Department forums for scientific exchange
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Workshops on selected topics (internal to department members)
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IMS lecture series "Music and Society in Discourse"
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Invitations of speakers are made upon suggestions of department members
Working groups at the mdw on cross-departmental topics