Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - CMNS 458 D100

Advanced Topics in Sound, Media and Culture (4)

Soundscapes of the Future

Class Number: 3677

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Jun 19, 2026: Tue, Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 258 and two upper division CMNS courses with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced workshop in applied sound design, context-based composition, and theoretical exploration of cultural sound studies. Students will engage with self-directed literature review and research creation using advanced sound design techniques. This course can be repeated for credit once, if the topic studied is different.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will blend the cultural study of sound and media with an introduction to future studies and speculative creation. More specifically, we will go over a number of frameworks for thinking about futures and sustainability, and methods for engaging future imaginations in creative ways. We will cover theories and ideas for how soundscape creation can be a vehicle for communicating speculative futures, and through a set of cumulative activities we will move from theory to practice. Individually or in small groups students will pick a topic of significance, and conduct research on it, collect recordings and samples to represent a future vision of that issue, and as a final outcome of the course, create a soundscape composition. Don’t worry if you lack experience with sound design! Students will be introduced to the study of media soundscapes through basic audio recording, mixing and composition techniques using Audacity, Logic Pro, or any software students are familiar with. Assignments consist of research, communication prototyping, describing, and a final soundscape project on a chosen issue. Students will have access to high quality audio recorders if they wish, computers with Logic Pro and Audacity, a voice recording booth, and technical help. This course is modeled after the “Future Soundscapes Lab” series running in the renowned Center for Future Studies in Mexico City (https://futuressoundscapes.bandcamp.com/)

Broad course themes:

  • Futures imagination and speculative media
  • Context-based soundscape design
  • Research creation

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course aims to introduce students to theories of futures imagination, sustainability literacy, and futures thinking more generally with an eye towards developing a sound-based media work of speculative fiction on a major current/futures issue.

By the end of the term students will be able to:

  • Define futures thinking, sustainability frameworks, and speculative creation
  • Confidently extrapolate the future implications of their chosen topic
  • Understand and apply a process of research creation using sound and composition to the mediated representation of a chosen topic
  • Edit, mix, and manipulate sound in a multi-channel mix using software

Grading

  • Topic and Annotated Bibliography 15%
  • Sonic Moodboard 20%
  • Future Soundscape Draft 20%
  • Participation and Peer Feedback 15%
  • Final Future Soundscape 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

REQUIREMENTS:

Late assignments: You have a reserve of 3 late days max for the semester that you can use in any combination for “free”. After that, deadlines are firm and we’ll take 5% penalty per day for late assignments. If you have a valid/medical reason to be more significantly delayed please come and discuss this with us well ahead of time to strategize for a solution.

Academic Integrity: This course has a zero-tolerance policy for academic dishonesty or plagiarism. Cases of plagiarism will be entered in the Coursys platform and remain on your file. SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

Class Conduct: This course depends on equipment sign-out for completing some of the course work. Please note that you are expected to engage in professional behavior and communication: treat the equipment and audio facilities with respect and care. 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.

AI Policy: The spirit of the course is around your discovery and engagement, so your active participation in the process is essential to your learning. I don’t see where it would make sense to use AI in a productive way so I don’t recommend you do so. If, however, your project is focused on AI and its use is necessary to your project, talk to me.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The course readings will be listed in the syllabus and made available electronically via Canvas. Students are advised to obtain an audio editing software they are comfortable with.

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.