Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - CMNS 353 D100

Topics in Science, Technology and Society (4)

Listening/Culture/Society.

Class Number: 3631

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of the emergence and shaping of information and communication technologies and science in the digital age. Explores new media and social change between everyday life, social institutions, and various enterprises. Emphasis is placed on social context and relations of power. This course can be repeated once for credit if second topic is different (up to a maximum of two times).

COURSE DETAILS:

Topic for Fall 2024:  Listening, Culture & Society

What do spectrograms, WWII and bird science have in common? How can we use listening and sonic methods to engage with the politics of space, cities and technology?  This course is an introduction to sound as a communicative medium, and the practice of listening as a cultural as well as a perceptual practice.  The course is designed to develop students’ perception and understanding of sound and its behaviour in the interpersonal, social, environmental, and technologically mediated spheres of cultural life.  We’ll explore a variety of themes related to:  sound and ways of knowing in the anthropocene; acoustics and architecture; voice; soundscape monitoring and analysis; acoustic ecology, sound and technology; noise and measurements; and urban design from an aural perspective.  Student work will consist of three substantial soundscape projects, short listening journals, a terminology quiz, in-class participation, and general engagement in the course content, including via dedicated channels on social media.

The lab portion of the course will involve (graded) activities that scaffold major assignments and help engage students in the weekly topics.  Examples of general areas in which projects may be based are:

· Media soundscape analysis, including psychological aspects of listening.

· Fieldwork in the areas of noise pollution, architectural acoustics, or issues in urban sound design.

· Uses of sound or listening in specific / professional domains (medicine, warfare, mental health, activism, politics, sports, etc.).

· Oral storytelling / indigenous perspectives of sound.

The course aims to further develop both a theoretical and a practical understanding of sound as a problematic across different fields and applications. In particular, the course asks students to critically examine the use of sound and sound technology in society, and then develop it in their own projects.

Grading

  • Soundscape Analysis Project 20%
  • Sound Journals 20%
  • Quiz 10%
  • Final Project 30%
  • Lab Work and Participation 20%

NOTES:

A Note on Plagiarism and AI

All writing in the course should be your own.  That means no augmentation with automated writing (e.g. Grammarly or Chat GPT).  If writing isn't your forte, come and ask what writing supports exist, or propose something in an alternative format.  We always try to give opportunities for students to use media making and other less textual approaches.  Should your work raise suspicions of plagiarism (either AI or direct copy) you will receive an email from SFU's academic integrity reporting system – CourSys - and a case will be triggered.

Class Conduct

Please note that you are expected to engage in professional behaviour and communication: your academic standing is your responsibility.  Take care to plan your term well and ask for help where needed ahead of time.  There are a multitude of resources available to you in the library’s Learning Commons, e.g. writing help, tutoring, and referencing help.  In the case of technological failure, the onus is on you to ensure the (right) assignment has been successfully submitted (online).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Schafer, R. Murray, Our Sonic Environment and the Soundscape: The Tuning of the World (available online via SFU library) Destiny Books, 1993.

Other required readings will be made available to students in the course Canvas in PDF format.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.