TOPICS: SOUND STUDIES in Spring 2025 (CM3091A)

Sound studies explores sound from an interdisciplinary perspective, considering its techniques and technologies, the social and political aspects of sound/music production and consumption, and the phenomenology of listening and acoustics, among other topics. This class combines hands-on practice-based projects, core theoretical texts, and visits to concerts, gallery shows, and other sound and music related events to introduce students to the core questions of sound studies and to cultivate basic skills for making sound art/digital music. Practice-based lessons cover: speakers, various mics, deep listening, soundwalks/sound in space, field recording, and digital audio editing. This is coupled with readings and discussions of contemporary sound art and new music, race and gender in sound and music, and the politics of listening. Students will produce a final project in sound/music using the critical and technical skills developed in the course and will be prepared for future projects and more advanced courses in sound/music. This course includes an additional fee of 20 euros per student to cover visits and materials.