VPA488 acoustemology

The course will introduce students to the practice of "deep listening,” acoustic ecology and other practices such as soundwalks which will enhance awareness of the surrounding {noisy} sonic environment. The analysis of field recordings by the students and artists, sonic walks and various readings with attention to hearing will enhance the students understanding of "a sonic way of knowing a place," a way of attending to hearing, a way of absorbing an environment. Projects such as The Sonic Memorial and World Soundscape Project will be used as model for understanding our own environment and the complex urban and suburban soundscape as a language the student will learn. Students will work in collaboration with one another in the course and with a group of students from a local high school or community college. As a means of documenting the process of the course an audio blog will be set up, which will be accessible by cell phone. Students and outside participants will have the ability to use their cell phones to capture specific sonic moments, logging and mapping place through a sound file. The website documents the process of the students exploration in their environment. Students will also be introduced to the potential of setting up a Podcast compilation, which will be available to national and international audiences.