Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0201 - The Tuning of the World

This course invites participants from diverse disciplines to investigate the interconnections of listeners and their sonic environments. A soundscape is an environment of sounds with emphasis on the way it is perceived, understood, and inhabited by an individual, a group, or by an entire society. The term may refer to actual environments, or to abstract constructions such as musical compositions and tape montages, particularly when considered as an artificial environment. In this course we will learn the basic tenets of soundscape studies, examine the concepts and issues associated with sound, its perception, and listening strategies. We will read and discuss important texts in acoustic ecology, acoustics, sound studies, and soundscape composition. Students will be given a wide range of areas for course projects such as conservation, ecology and environmental studies, cultural perspectives, creative writing, art-making, and sound composition.

Arts, Design, and Media Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend approximately 14 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time