Music 136 - Adventures in Music

This course delves into the intricate world of auditory perception, exploring how humans interpret, experience, and make sense of sound. Students will journey through the art of hearing, discuss the sensations of hearing, how sound colors our perception of the world, and how the sound worlds we live in are increasingly curated and constructed. The course will cover a range of topics, including historical definitions of pitch, time, and sound forms, and the influence of cultural and environmental factors on how we perceive sound. We will also investigate the role of hearing in communication, music, and soundscapes, and consider how technological advancements are transforming the way we interact with sound. Through hands-on experiments, critical listening sessions, and interdisciplinary readings, students will gain a holistic understanding of sound perception, learning to appreciate its profound impact on human experience. By the end of the course, participants will have developed an enhanced awareness of the role sound plays in shaping our environment and our lives.