Studying at York
Aural Cultures - MUS00133I
- Department: Music
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Liam Maloney
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
Module summary
In this module, you will analyse current debates surrounding sound practices and aural cultures and develop work that responds to key contemporary aesthetic and cultural theories of sound.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
- To develop an understanding of the current debates surrounding sound practices and the significance and contexts of sound in contemporary culture.
- To become familiar with a variety of multidisciplinary approaches to studying sound in relationship to how it is captured, created, stored, manipulated, consumed and experienced.
- To provide an overview of concepts and terms related to notions of listening and sounding culture.
- To develop a portfolio of work that responds to key contemporary aesthetic and cultural theories of music and sound.
- To participate in discussion and critical listening sessions within the seminar format.
Module learning outcomes
- Understand and interpret complex texts and ideas about various aural cultures and sound practices within the context of contemporary culture.
- Identify different approaches and disciplines whereby sound can be studied and analysed by considering its creation, reproduction, reception and interpretation.
- Be able to engage conceptually with different cultural theories of listening and the notion of expressing culture through sound.
- Create a body of work that considers aesthetic and cultural aspects of contemporary sound and music practices.
- Be able to critique work and make informed contributions through listening, writing and discussion.
In their independent work, students should demonstrate Learning Outcomes B1-7.
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 750-1000 word commentary |
N/A | 10 |
| Essay/coursework Creative submission |
N/A | 90 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Assessment will be via creative submission (90%) with commentary (10%) relating to an aspect of aural culture covered during the module. Examples could be a piece of sound art, a headphone work for promenade audience, an experimental podcast, a radio work or an environmental sound piece.
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 750-1000 word commentary |
N/A | 10 |
| Essay/coursework Creative submission |
N/A | 90 |
Module feedback
Written feedback with mark within 4 weeks of submission date.
Indicative reading
Aural Cultures – Jim Drobnick, ed. 2004.
The Oxford Handbook of Sound Studies – Trevor Pinch, Karin Bijsterveld, eds. 2011.
Audio Culture: Readings in Modern Music – Christopher Cox, Daniel Warner. 2004.
The Sound Studies Reader – Jonathan Sterene, ed. 2012.
Auditory Culture Reader (Sensory Formations) – Michael Bull, Les Back, eds. 2012.
Noise: Political Economy of Music – Jacques Attali, 1977.
Pink Noises: Women on Electronic Music and Sound – Tara Rodgers, ed. 2010.
Cracked Media: The Sound of Malfunction – Caleb Kelly, 2009.
Sound Unbound: Sampling Digital Music and Culture – Paul D.Miller, ed. 2008.
Acoustic Territories: Sound Culture and Everyday Life – Brandon LaBelle, 2010.
The Recording Angel: Music, Records and Culture from Aristotle to Zappa – Evan Eisenberg, 2005.