COURSE SYLLABUS

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YEAR COURSE OFFERED: 2019

SEMESTER COURSE OFFERED: Fall

DEPARTMENT: Art, Interdisciplinary Arts

COURSE NUMBER: 3384

NAME OF COURSE: Sound Art Laboratory (online)

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Abinadi Meza (ameza@central.uh.edu)

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The information contained in this class syllabus is subject to change without notice.
Students are expected to be aware of any additional course policies presented by the
instructor during the course.
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This class is focused on sound art, a contemporary, interdisciplinary, and emerging field of
practice. Students will read about sound and sound art, and complete assignments that include
producing sound works as well as completing sonic exercises with written components. This
course is delivered online, and includes some basic audio production tutorials using the cross-
platform, open-source freeware Audacity, available from:

https://www.fosshub.com/Audacity.html

This course is designed around open educational resources and “flipped classroom” models so
that assigned materials and technical instruction is provided or easily accessed online. Assigned
readings are provided via Blackboard. Listenings and screenings are provided via URL’s to
YouTube, Kanopy, Ubuweb or other resources. Technical tutorials are provided via URL’s to
YouTube, LinkedIn Learning/Lynda.com, or elsewhere with instructor supplementation in
weekly lectures or as necessary.

Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding
of sound art in contemporary art contexts. You will have learned some basic concepts and
methods of digital audio editing and output. You will also be familiar with a range of works of
modern and contemporary sound art and avant-garde composition.

Assessment Measures
The coursework primarily consists of assigned creative works, readings and “listenings” where
you engage with the work of other sound artists, composers and performers. You will meet the
objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course:

• Complete studio assignments by creating your own original audio works

• Complete assigned readings and listening homework

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 COURSE SYLLABUS
Recommended References & Other Readings
All required course materials will be available on Blackboard, but here are a few recommended
introductory references for sound art

Noise, Water, Meat: a History of Sound in the Arts, Douglas Kahn, 2001
Sound Art: Beyond Music, Between Categories, Alan Licht, 2007
The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment & the Tuning of the World, R. Murray Schaefer, 1993

University Mental Health Statement:

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can help students who are having
difficulties managing stress, adjusting to college, or feeling sad and hopeless. You can reach
CAPS (www.uh.edu/caps) by calling 713-743-5454 during and after business hours for
routine appointments or if you or someone you know is in crisis. Also, there is no
appointment necessary for the “Let's Talk” program, which is a drop-in consultation
service at convenient locations and hours around
campus. http://www.uh.edu/caps/outreach/lets_talk.html

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