Berlin Field School

The SCA's Berlin Field School offers a broad introduction to Contemporary Arts in Berlin and their critical and theoretical context. Founded in the 12th century, Berlin has been both shaped and divided by history. Today, it is once again the capital of Germany, and is recognized as a global cultural hub; a city where history is intertwined with artistic intervention and innovation, and where international visual art, theatre, music, dance, and film thrive. Over six-weeks, a comprehension of the correspondence between the arts and their social, political, and material context will be enriched through simultaneous study, discussion, and experience of art and the urban fabric of this complex city.

See the webpage from the 2022 program here.

Important notes:

• Field School Director: Judy Radul. judy.radul@sfu.ca
• Application deadline: January 28th, 2024 (11:59pm PST)
• An academic reference is required
• Graduate students are welcome.
• Visiting students from institutions other than SFU are welcome.
• See application instructions here.

Info Sessions

Join Judy Radul, the SCA's Field School Director, for an Field School Info Session via Zoom.

• Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 11:00 AM (Vancouver time)
• Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 AM (Vancouver time)

Email judy.radul@sfu.ca for the link.  

General Info Session

Find the recording of our November 7th Info Session here.

Apply here

Apply to the Berlin Field School via the SFU Study Abroad application system.

Eligibility

Level of Study (at SFU)

Undergraduate, Graduate

Program Eligibility

I you do not meet one of the below eligibility requirements but are interested in participating, please contact the Field School Director to see if the requirement can be waived.

Undergraduate Eligibility Requirements

• Be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
• Have completed a minimum of 30 units of university courses
• Have a minimum 2.5 CGPA
• SFU Students: be in Good Academic Standing at the time of application

Graduate Eligibility Requirements

• Be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
• SFU Students: be in Good Academic Standing at the time of application

Selection Criteria

• Academic Standing
• Meeting the eligibility requirements
• Demonstrated interest in Berlin and Contemporary Arts
• Consent of the Field School Director

The Field School Selection Committee reserves the right to conduct intake interviews in addition to reviewing the completed application as part of the application process. The Field School Selection Committee for each Field School program will select qualified participants. Decisions are expected 2-4 weeks after the application deadline.

How to apply as a non-SFU student

Qualified graduate students from institutions other than SFU are eligible to apply. Visiting students must arrange for transfer credit with their home institution, as well as for a transcript after completion.

You will need to complete an application to this program in addition to a Visiting Student Field School Application, which is embedded within the program application. Both applications must be complete and submitted by the application deadline for your Field School. See more information here.

Academics

Language of Instruction

English

Subject Areas Available

Contemporary Arts

Exchanges: The names of the subject areas may be different at the partner. The above does not guarantee availability in a specific term or language, nor how courses taken on exchange will transfer back to SFU. This list may be subject to change. Use the above list as a guideline for exploring academic options at the partner.

Field School Program Information

Courses

Undergraduate Students: 11 or 13 Credits

Required:

• CA 308-4: Contemporary Arts Field School I (Theory/History) 
• CA 309-4: Contemporary Arts Field School II (Studio)

Choose one of:

• CA 305-3: Explorations in Contemporary Arts I
• CA 405-5: Explorations in Contemporary Arts II
  • CA 405 involves a more extensive project, thus grants more units.

Graduate Students: 5 or 10 Units

• CA 887-5: Contemporary Arts Field School I & II
• (optional) CA 889-5: Directed Studies 

For course descriptions, please see the SFU Course Calendar.

Dates

• late-February - mid-March: Mandatory self-paced virtual orientation program on Canvas
• March TBD: Pre-Departure Orientation
• May 16 - 25: Preparatory sessions*
• June 1 - July 14: Study in Berlin, Germany

*These dates are provided as guidelines and are subject to change

**To discuss attending these sessions virtually, please contact the Field School Director.

Cost and Funding

All costs are listed in CAD. You will pay: tuition; activity and other SFU fees; and a Field School Program Fee.

1. Tuition Fees*

a. Undergraduate (domestic): $2,286.68 (11 units) or $2,702.44 (13 units)

OR

b. Undergraduate (international): differential rates, between $10,637.33 and $14,319.76 (11-13units)

OR

c. Graduate: $2,066.11**.

Please discuss tuition arrangements with your supervisor and/or department prior to applying if not a Contemporary Arts student.

Non-degree students: will also pay a $90 or $125 Graduate Application Fee and $250 deposit to SFU if they are accepted into the Field School. The deposit will go towards tuition fees.

Western Dean's Agreement students: tuition paid at usual rate to home university.

* This calculation does not include other student fees. International students taking the undergraduate course pay differential tuition.
** Different fees will apply to students in other scenarios (e.g. MA students paying the continuing fee or in a subject area with a higher per-unit rate).

2. Student Activity Fee (off-campus)

Undergraduate: $86.35
Graduate: $37.84

3. Program Fees*

• $5,545; and
• Administrative Fee of $300 for SFU students, $400 for Visiting students.

• What's included
• Shared accommodation
• Field trips
• Most in-country transportation
• Some entrance fees
• Some group meals
• Pre-Departure Orientation; in-field/re-entry support

• What's not included**
• International return flight to/from Berlin: variable cost
• Most food: budget ~$50 per day
• Communication costs (i.e. cellphone): budget ~$50
• Entertainment and additional personal travel
• Any testing or documentation required for travel (e.g. COVID tests, translations, or notarizations of proof of vaccination, etc.)
• Vaccinations: may be required. Please consult a travel health doctor
• Visa: please research if required based on citizenship
• Mandatory health insurance***

* Final program costs are based on the total number of students and are subject to change. The highest number listed is the maximum it would cost. If the program reconciles with a surplus above $100 per student, the remaining surplus will be refunded to program participants

** This list is not comprehensive. You may have additional or varying needs.

Students must pay Tuition and Student Activity fees (numbers 1 & 2) directly to SFU Student Services by the due date as outlined in the SFU Calendar, in mid-May. Field School Program Fees (number 3) must be paid by Thursday, June 27th 2024.

Financial Aid

Full time students (enrolled in a term of 9+ units) participating in SFU field schools are eligible to apply for student loans.
Full time degree-seeking SFU students may also apply for bursaries, scholarships, awards, and International Exchange/Field School Bursaries, including the Suite of Study Abroad awards (valued: $1,000-$2,000) embedded in the program application.

For more information on funding your trip, please visit the SFU Study Abroad's Financial Aid page.

Conditions and Considerations

Medical Conditions

For people with (physical or mental) medical conditions, international travel can present significant challenges. Because SFU field schools take place in international locations where emergency services, and/or mental or physical support services may be limited, or non-existent, some field school placements will not be appropriate for everyone. Please speak with the program's Field School Director for information on specific conditions for this field school.

If you have a medical condition that poses limitations on your ability to function in certain environments, we strongly advise that you register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). CAL staff will ask that you provide documentation from a duly-qualified medical specialist, which contains a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Where appropriate, CAL staff will communicate with field school staff with regard to accommodation in the field. (Please note that, while Centre staff indicate to field school staff that a prospective participant requires accommodation for a medical condition, they do not disclose the nature of the medical condition.)

Because overseas arrangements can be complicated, we recommend that you contact the CAL at least three months prior to the commencement of the field school in which you wish to participate. Please note that failure to make proper arrangements in advance of travel could result in termination from the field school with costs and academic credit forfeited.

Other notes

All programs require a minimum number of students and are subject to cancellation if minimums are not met. You will not be charged any fees if your program is cancelled for this reason.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Study Abroad

Please see the SFU Study Abroad website on COVID-19 and Study Abroad for more information.

Summer 2022