Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English.

Recommended previous knowledge

MU-400 Music Business I (15 sp)

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, the student should:

  • understand how music-economics have changed, with new business models and new consumer behaviour
  • have a broad and deep understanding of the streaming economy and its effects on the music industries
  • be able to assess and discuss how streaming affects discovery, gatekeeping functions and traditional music industry value chains and functions
  • understand and be able to deploy relevant academic theories to assess and discuss these changes
  • be able to use academic theories and models to assess and plan activities, projects, and businesses

Contents

The course’s focus is on digital change and how change affects the music industries and their stakeholders. The course expands and focuses on the structures and dynamics of the larger ecosystem that the music industries are part of and investigates how digitalization affects these structures and systems. The course will deploy and make use of theoretical frameworks on disruptive innovations and their effects on value-chains and industry-ecosystems, such as the cultural industries or the creative industries. A core element of the course is to understand and discuss the business and logics of new digital platforms, and in particular on-demand, subscription-based streaming, and how these stakeholders affect the traditional music industries.

Teaching and learning methods

The course makes use of lectures, seminars, and group work. The course will include and build on different professional websites and online sources, in addition to the academic literature. Guest lecturers from the music industry may also be utilized and the course will include meeting-points with the professional music industries.

Parts of the lessons are mandatory. These parts are communicated at the beginning of the semester through Canvas. The expected workload for students is 27 hours per credit.

Examination requirements

  • Two term papers
  • Compulsory attendance in the lectures.

Further information is given at the beginning of the semester through Canvas.

Examinations

One written individual take-home examination. Scope: 4000-7000 words. Duration: 5 days.

Assessment: Graded

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 7:27:18 PM