Sound in Social Life

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Given the exceptional historical moment, the fall 2020 online version of Sound in Social Life will have a special emphasis on the relationship between sound, racial justice, and health. The goal of this interdisciplinary course is to provide students with a set of tools to think critically about the sonic dimensions of social life. Towards this end, students will produce both academic writing and recorded sound. Skills gained include an introductory reading and writing fluency in a set of academic disciplines including cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, sound studies, and social history. Students will also gain listening and production skills in various domains of the creative arts such as audio documentary, podcasting, sound art installations, sound design (including for film), noise, ambient and Electronic music. In addition to reading, writing, listening, and audio production assignments; as well as synchronous and asynchronous seminar discussions; the online version of this course will incorporate off-screen activities such as sound walks and maintaining a hand written listening journal.