Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 258 D100

Sound Across Media (4)

Class Number: 2463

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to audio representation technology and a survey of the history of major sound-based media, including a discussion of the way sound design conventions have developed over time. Students both analyze sound in media and create audio-based applied projects. Specific techniques of field recording, interviewing, editing, sound processing, multi-tracking, and basic digital audio techniques will be explored using the school's studio facilities. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

How did the world change with the ability to record and play sound? How does sound function across different media? How are listening publics formed over time? What is the connection between the early telephone and Siri? This course surveys the history of sound in media, including the technical components of select mass media and telecommunication technologies such as: radio, the telephone, mobile technologies, as well as the use of sound in film, television, games and other digital media. The course aims to develop both a theoretical and a practical understanding of sound, and sound reproduction technologies, in a variety of media communication formats. Contemporary approaches to sound design will be evaluated and discussed through media analysis and production, emphasizing cultural aspects of sound and listening. Students will be introduced to the study of media soundscapes through basic audio recording and mixing techniques, communication analysis of digital media artifacts, and selected theoretical approaches to the study of sound. Assignments consist of short audio projects, short written analytical reports, one media analysis paper, and a final production project. Students will have access to high quality audio recorders, computers; and audio editing software through the school’s lab facilities.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Goals:

  • Understand the history of recording sound, including sound’s commodification
  • Understand listening as a cultural and perceptual technique
  • How media establish production conventions and create listening publics

Applied Skills:

  • Learn how to record sound using professional equipment in the field
  • Learn how to edit, mix, and optimize sound into audio projects
  • Learn to apply production techniques and create foley sound effects

Grading

  • Podcast Media Analysis 15%
  • 3 Audio Projects 30%
  • Movie Scene Analysis 15%
  • Final Audio Project 20%
  • Participation and In-class Activities 20%

NOTES:

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relationship to established university-wide practices. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html.

NOTE -- Labs do not start in Week 1 (3-9 September 2025) -- unless specified by the Instructor.  If your Lab is scheduled to occur prior to your first lecture -- please check with the course Canvas page, or with your Instructor (via email), to find out if you will have a Lab in the first week of Fall Semester 2025.   If your Lab occurs after the first lecture, then just ask in the first lecture whether or not there will be Labs during Week 1.

REQUIREMENTS:

All deadlines in this course are firm: 5% penalty per day will be taken off for late assignments. If you have a legitimate reason to be delayed, feel encouraged to come and discuss this with the Instructor well ahead of time to strategize for a solution. This course has a zero-tolerance policy for academic dishonesty or plagiarism. Please familiarize yourselves ahead of time with SFU’s policies and how to avoid it, and check with us if you’re unsure how to use or cite materials: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/writing/plagiarism. 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. Plan to ensure your assignments are submitted correctly on Canvas: SFU is NOT able to verify Canvas errors. 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).

Note to advanced students:

CMNS 258 is primarily designed for students with none or only rudimentary knowledge of audio production. Hence the assignments start as simple basic exercises, leading up to a more sophisticated media product. Sometimes students with some or a lot of production experience find their way into CMNS 258 and these students may use this course to hone and advance skills they already possess and fine tune their creative and analytical skills. If you are one of these students, please speak with the Instructor, and I will make arrangements for advanced work that will benefit you while remaining within the parameters of this course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The course readings will be listed in the syllabus and made available electronically via Canvas.

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.