Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 245 D102

Creative Sound Studio III (3)

Class Number: 6243

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 1:30–4:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA 140, 144, and achieving a B (or higher) in CA 145 and CA 146.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Project based composition tutorials, putting into practice personal tools accumulated in music/sound labs. Projects can engage any combination of resources/approaches, including DIY performance, fixed media, installation, live electronics, the Ensemble in Residence, or in collaboration with students in other disciplines. Students will be required to attend a weekly area-wide seminar where the practice of composition will be discussed.

COURSE DETAILS:

Project-based studio tutorials at the core of this course will serve as a composition 'home room'. Students are encouraged to dream up their own projects that aren't bound by any category of method or means but put into action a number of tools they've accumulated in their personal 'kit'. This can include expanding on work from other lab courses (Eg. Live Electronics Lab, EiR Lab). Projects can engage any combination of resources/approaches, including DIY performance (solo or with other students), fixed media, installation, musicians from this year’s Ensemble in Residence, live electronics, etc. These are significant projects, either full-term or as arranged between the student and their assigned studio instructor. Students gain mentored practice in custom-combining any of their desired tools as well as initiating and managing the full production of their project.

The Creative Sound Seminar (Thursdays at 9:30) will be used solely for presentations by students, faculty, and Guest Artists invited from around the globe. Rather than traditional artist talks, these will take the form of live interviews, sometimes incorporating hands-on demos to demonstrate unique practices. This seminar will be attended by students from all the Creative Sound Seminar classes (145-445) and thus will be a full community event. 

4th year STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

All 4th year students will participate in presentations following the same model as our regular Guest Artist sessions. Original music by interviewees will be posted the week before and everyone (1st-4th year) will submit questions. The interviewers will curate conversations based around the submitted questions. 

TUTORIALS

Students in 245/246/345/346: You will meet in tutorials (maximum 3 students per group). Check your email for the tutorial day/time and faculty member you have been assigned to.

Students in 445/446: You will meet in a weekly tutorial of your 445/446 peers. Students may optionally request additional mentoring sessions with that same faculty or any other faculty thereafter, schedules permitting. Check your email for your assigned faculty. Please contact individual faculty to book mentoring sessions.

 

Grading

  • Creative Projects 60%
  • Questions for Presenters 20%
  • Participation/Attendance 20%

Materials

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.