Berklee In Valencia Global Studies Course List

Emerson students will take a full course load (12 - 16 credits) of classes during Fall and Spring semesters. Emerson students will be allowed to take any Berklee-Valencia course that is offered, assuming that they have the pre-requisites or are qualified.  In certain cases, this may mean a quick assessment of the student's skilll/knowledge level by Berklee faculty or administration.  Most courses are 1-3 credit courses. Classes run from 9am - 9pm on the Berklee Valencia campus.  

Course Offerings

Please contact David Griffin, Director, International Study & External Programs, if you have questions about these courses.

Music Business

MB-287 Business Communication -  2 Credits 

Prerequisites: None - An in-depth study of the nature of human and electronic communication. Students write and edit a variety of business documents including cover letters, memos, reports, and proposals, among others, as well as practice extemporaneous speaking, presenting to a group, planning and running meetings, and supervising teams.

MB-325 Principles of Marketing - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: MB-275, LMSC-251, and either MB-255 or MB-355 - An introduction to integrated marketing principles and practices within corporate and agency environments covering branding strategy and positioning, the value proposition, market research, customer relationships, target markets, buying behavior, the promotional mix, and related metrics. Students create an integrated marketing communication plan that reflects a comprehensive understanding of competitive strategy based on research findings as well as translating business objectives into effective marketing strategies and plans.

MB-331 Recording Company Operations - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: MB-201, MB-211, and LSOC-225 - A critical analysis of the anatomy of domestic and international record companies, focusing on the role of each department within the structure. Students become intricately acquainted with such areas of activity as artists and repertoire (A&R), promotions, marketing, distribution, product management, and business affairs. Special attention is given to contractual relationships with artists and producers as well as domestic and international licensing of masters.

MB-375 Music Intermediaries: Agents, Managers, and Attorneys - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: MB-201 and MB-211 - The role of the intermediary in advising, representing, and furthering the careers of artists, focusing on the establishment of mutually beneficial working relationships. Topics include the mechanics of talent booking and contracting, union and government regulations, fee/commission structures, contractual considerations, fiduciary duties, budgeting, the development of a client base, and finding success through honesty and fair dealing.

MB-P389 Managing Technology-Driven Business - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: MB-255 or MB-355 - - This course will explore the underlying technology and terminology required to effectively communicate and conduct business in the technology-driven marketplace. In today's business environment, it is essential for managers and executives to understand the basic concepts behind contemporary information systems and how they can be used effectively in business. Topics include hardware, software, network architecture, information security, data warehousing, customer interfaces, and online marketing opportunities. Students will have the opportunity to work with common open source applications used for content management, customer relationship management, online purchasing and payment systems, and more.

MB-P499 International Industry Seminar - 4 Credits

Prerequisites: None - This course is designed to immerse students in the European music industry and engage them in a variety of real-world professional settings. The term will begin with an overview of research writing and methodology related to field study. Students will interact with industry leaders, conduct interviews, and explore music business applications throughout the semester. Selected experiences include a trip to the world’s largest music industry conference, MIDEM; and visits to local music venues, companies, and agencies. Off-campus experiences will be partnered with weekly in-class seminar-style discussions to foster student reflections, evaluations, and comparisons between the European and U.S. music and entertainment business models and policy. Several artists and industry guest lecturers will visit classes throughout the term to supplement the instruction and provide a forum for professional networking and dialogue. Students will maintain journals to formulate questions and document experiences and reflections. In addition, they will identify an area of interest relevant to the European music industry and conduct field and library research on that topic. Students will write a formal paper, describe individual progress on their research in class meetings, and offer suggestions and feedback to their peers. The class will culminate with formal presentations of individual research and research findings.

Performance and Mediterranean Music

ENMX-121 Mixed Styles Ensemble Rating 2 - 1 Credit

Prerequisites: overall ensemble rating 2 - An instrumental ensemble that focuses on performance in a variety of musical styles. Classes will cover performance techniques utilized in contemporary musical idioms such as jazz, rock, and blues. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in performing every song selected for the semester. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ISKB-P111-W Keyboard Fundamentals (online) - 1 Credit

Prerequisites: None - An online keyboard program for non-piano principals designed to give students skills in note reading, chord voicings, rhythmic interpretation, technique, and other instrumental skills. Using video clips, recorded play-alongs, chord-study exercises, weekly recorded assignments, and feedback from the teacher, students will be able to play simple accompaniments, read notes on the grand staff, realize a lead sheet, apply simple voice-leading techniques, and develop hand independence and a familiarity with different styles. Students will acquire the ability to use the keyboard as a resource in learning harmony, ear training, arranging, and technology applications such as notation and sequencing.

PFSS-P301 Survey of Mediterranean Music Styles - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: None - This course will examine the various tonalities, meters and compositional structures that characterize the various music styles from the Mediterranean region. This is a survey course focused on the folk music from the Mediterranean with a spotlight on how melody is the defining and dominant feature of the music. Students will explore modal systems with limited harmonic progression and tonalities not always consistent with western tonal systems and metric forms. The influence of religious music, the differing ethnic traditions, and the sociocultural differences of the principal music sources will be reviewed and studied. Listening, performing, songwriting, and sight singing are the main activities of this course.

PIXX-XXX Private Instruction -  2 credits - Students can take private lessons on any instrument with a Berklee Professor.   Cost is $2,586.

Core Music

COND-211 Conducting 1- 1 Credit

Prerequisites: ET-211 or ET-231 - Techniques of conducting vocal and instrumental music. Fundamental beat patterns. Discussion and study of terminology, problems of tempo, phrasing, and articulation.

COND-212 Conducting 2 - 1 Credit

Prerequisites: COND-211 or COND-216 - The course assumes basic beat pattern knowledge and covers three areas: (1) symphonic conducting with an instrumental soloist (concerto), (2) symphonic conducting with a vocal soloist (operatic aria), and (3) symphonic conducting of a major modern work involving complete meter changes. Works used include a romantic piano or violin concerto, an operatic excerpt, and a piece such as Petrouchka, The Rite of Spring, or Symphonies of Wind Instruments.

ET-211 Ear Training 3 - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: ET-112 - Development of ear training skills through performance and dictation. Study of melodies, intervals, harmony, and solfege in Lydian, Mixolydian, Dorian, and Phrygian modes, mixed modes, and harmonic and melodic minor. Continued study of rhythms, meters, conducting patterns, and notation.

HR-211 Harmony 3 - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: HR-112 - Continued analysis and application of major and minor key harmony; continued elaboration of subdominant minor and modal interchange; chord scale theory. Review of melodic construction and melody/harmony relationship; individual note analysis of melodies. Substitute dominant and related II-7 chords; diminished chord patterns; modulation.

LHAN-211 History of Western Music 1 - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: CM-211 and CP-210 or CP-211 - A survey of the major styles in Western music from about A.D. 600 to the conclusion of the baroque. This includes a summary of ancient music. Audiovisual examples of scores and photographs of related works of art.

LHAN-212 History of Western Music 2 - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: CM-212, and CP-210 or CP-212 - A survey of the major styles in Western music from the early classical period to the present. Audiovisual examples; correlation of characteristics of each period with activities in related arts.

Contemporary Writing and Production

PW-161 Technology Tools for the Writer - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: AR-111 and MTEC-111

Development of skills and concepts necessary for effective operation of a computer-based music writing workstation. Topics include usage of the computer, music software, synthesizers, and MIDI, as well as basic audio theory, equipment, and techniques. Emphasis is on technological needs of the contemporary writer. Students are required to have Digital Performer sequencing/digital audio software on their laptop. Students must use their own laptop in the Professional Writing Technology Lab. Writing majors are expected to also use the components of their major bundle, and are required to own Mark of the Unicorn's Digital Performer sequencing/digital audio software.

PW-365 Orchestral Mock-Up Production - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: CW-311 (CWPR majors); FS-340, FS-341, and FS-361 (FILM majors); EP-321 (ELPD majors) - In parallel with a student's development as a modern composer, arranger, and orchestrator, this course will develop his/her skills in emulating a live orchestra through effective use of software technologies. These skill areas include performance techniques (tracking), editing, automation (real-time and edited), mixing, production, and the creation of work templates.

Film Scoring

FS-221 Introduction to Film Scoring - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: LENG-111 - Investigation of the aesthetic relationship between film and music. Discussion of the many functions of film music with analysis of its most effective application to dramatic situations. Exploration of career opportunities in film and television music.

Liberal Arts

LAHS-233 Art History: Art in Valencia - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: LENG-111 - This course introduces students to the visual art of Valencia, Spain. Students investigate developments in painting, sculpture, and architecture as lenses for understanding the city in which they are studying. Special attention is paid to works currently held in local collections. The city of Valencia becomes the classroom as students visit local museums and explore the architecture. This course uses the visual arts to examine modern notions about artistic individuality and the intellectual nature of the arts as a whole. Students employ textbooks, primary source readings, and museum experiences to become increasingly comfortable in thinking of the arts as pathways to understanding cultural development. This course is as much an investigation into the politics, theology, economics, and philosophy of Valencia and Spain as it is an investigation of Valencia’s visual arts.

LENG-201 Literature: Music and Words - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: LENG-111 - In this course, students explore the writing process by using music and musicians as their inspiration. This course examines the art and craft of nonfiction, fiction and poetry that has music and musicians as its central subjects. The works serve as examples for students to create their own written creative and analytic papers inspired by music, musicians and the creative process. Works studied and produced include memoir, poetry, opinion essays and creative journalism, with liberal interpretation of genres and sub-genres encouraged. Classes include discussion of published creative works, peer workshops, and creative exercises, among other activities.LHIS-223 History: History of Spanish Film

LSOC-211 General Psychology - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: LENG-111 - This course is a survey of the history, theory, and applications of general psychology, including the study of human behavior, factors in psychological development, methods of measurement, and the brain. Note: This course may be used to fulfill the social science requirement.

LSOC-225 Principles of Economics - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: Passing score on the Math Proficiency Exam, LMSC-130, or completion of college level precalculus or higher - An analysis of supply and demand in the international music marketplace, as affecting issues of pricing, employment, the output of goods and services, and competition. Emphasis is also placed on the techniques of financial management found within a music-oriented business, including planning and forecasting, allocation of resources, and profit analysis, as well as the monetary transmission mechanisms found in international business. Note: For MBUS majors, this course can be used to fulfill the social science requirement for degree students.

LSPN-161, 262, 363, 464 Spanish 1-4 - All  Spanish level courses are 3 credits

Level 1 - This course covers basic grammar, composition, and cultural reading selections. The emphasis is on pronunciation and conversational Spanish. Note: This course is not available for credit to students for whom this is a first language.

Level 2 - A continuation of LSPN-161, this course covers more advanced grammar, composition, and reading selections. Emphasis continues on pronunciation and conversational Spanish. Note: This course is not available for credit to students for whom this is a first language.

Level 3 - Spanish 3 develops the language skills built in Spanish 1 and 2. Students learn Latin American and Spanish culture, including music and literature. Exploring a variety of texts and disciplines, and focusing on conversation, students deepen their language skills. Grammar lessons are embedded in reading and writing assignments.

Level 4 - Spanish 4 is a continuation of Spanish 3 as students develop advanced language skills through readings and analyses of literature and cinema. This course focuses on representations of Latin American and Spanish culture including music, poetry, and fiction. Students explore a variety of texts as a means of deepening language skills through an integrated curriculum. Grammar lessons will be embedded in reading and writing assignments.

LMSC-221 Health and Wellness - 3 Credits

Prerequisites: LENG-111 - This course is designed to provide a scientific approach to issues of health and wellness necessary for the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Topics such as nutrition, exercise, stress, sexuality, substance abuse, eating disorders, and the physical environment will be examined in the context of human physiology. Note: This course may be used to fulfill the natural science requirement.

Professional Music

PM-P250 Movement for Musicians 1 - 2 Credits

Prerequisites: None - This class is designed to offer fundamentals of  movement and dance for musicians. Each session includes a brief warm up followed by a dance combination and/or work on body awareness, coordination, use of time and space, development of internal pulse, and stage presence, etc. No prior dance experience is necessary.

Subject to Change