Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CMNS 314 D200

Topics in Media Production and Aesthetics (4)

Audio Media Design

Class Number: 2681

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 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:

Topics on the cultural production of acoustic, visual, and/or multimodal communication. Explores cultural contexts of media production, media artifacts, media perceptions, and alternative media practices. Topics include: advertising, film, gaming, radio, television, and questions of representation in media professions. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times).

COURSE DETAILS:

Topic for Spring 2025:  Audio Media Design

This course provides an intensive analysis of the design and function of audio in all forms of acoustic media, including historical and contemporary forms of communication. Attention to is given to the analysis and production of sound design in film, television, radio, advertising, gaming, and online. The structure of broadcast media is considered as well as surrogate listening environments, the sound recording as document, patterns and functions of electroacoustic media usage in daily life, and alternative uses of audio media.

The format of the course will be seminars with accompanying labs to cover both the theoretical and applied aspects of audio media. Student work will include the development of audio media production skills along with a critical self-reflexive perspective on the sonic dimension of communication. The applied lab assignments are designed to build toward a final audio production.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Goals:

  • Understand how the history of recording sound, including production techniques and its commodification, affects how we listen and consume audio media.
  • Understand how listening can provide a deeper understanding of our environments.
  • Developing our personal audio media production capacity.

Applied Skills:

  • Sound recording in the studio and in the field.
  • Audio media production techniques (such as editing, processing, mixing, and compression).
  • Design and production of audio media (such as podcast, soundscape, and documentary).

Grading

  • Media Use Audit 10%
  • Research Outline 10%
  • Research Paper/Presentation 20%
  • Lab Assignments 30%
  • Final Applied Audio Project 30%

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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be provided on 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

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.