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Sonic Experience Design and Production (ANTH0207)

Key information

Faculty
Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences
Teaching department
Anthropology
Credit value
15
Restrictions
This module is only open to students on the Designing Audio Experiences MA and Immersive Factual Storytelling MA programmes.
Timetable

Alternative credit options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

Module Content

Immersive audio is a rapidly growing field with more ways of delivering this kind of experience every year, from museum and gallery installations and immersive theatre to smart headphones, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and immersive audio books.Ìý

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The rule book has yet to be fully written for this emerging field, hence this module provides a timely opportunity to explore an exciting new world of both technology and creativity. Learning the fundamentals of the anthropology of human hearing, acoustics and psychoacoustics will give you the theoretical tools to produce immersive audio experiences with maximum emotional impact. You will learn how to use state of the art spatial audio hardware and software to produce a final factual immersive audio project, accompanied by a written evaluation to show how you have used all that you have learned.Ìý

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The course could appeal to a wide range of disciplines, balancing artistic concepts with the science of sound and hearing as well as the technological aspects of capturing, manipulating, and reproducing sound to produce compelling immersive sound experiences.Ìý

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Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course Students will:

  • Have achieved an understanding of the role of audio in immersive experiences have a systematic understanding of audio theory;
  • Have developed an applicable knowledge of human hearing, acoustics and psychoacoustics have an awareness of the anthropology of sound, its history and practices;
  • Demonstrate critical understanding of the processes involved in designing and creating immersive audio including a detailed knowledge of the specific platforms;
  • Have critically engaged with the field of spatial audio and developed a detailed understanding;
  • Be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in this field, through their critical writings and class commentaries on featured work;
  • Be able to devise, research and plan a complete immersive audio work, including understanding of audience targeting and researching specific techniques needed for a specific project;
  • Have acquired the technical knowledge and ability to create both technically and artistically original and ambitious immersive audio for various playback systems and formats that might include radio, podcasts, VR, 360 film making, sound for film or installations;
  • Understand how to combine auditory cognition and technology to create professional pieces of work;
  • Have created their own immersive audio work demonstrating the above.

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Indicative Delivery Method:Ìý

One three-hour seminar per week (with a break for reading week). Work will be carried out both in groups and individually. Students will be expected to review knowledge between classes and complete preparatory and review exercises before and after classes.Ìý

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Additional information:Ìý

There will be a series of formative assessments throughout the module.Ìý

Each three-hour seminar will usually be split between 1.5 hours of lectures plus 1.5 hours of practical work either recording or working on audio workstations.Ìý

Indicative recommended reading for students who intend to choose this module includes:Ìý

Spatial Audio Production and Anthropology of Sound:Ìý

CORE:Ìý

Byrne D. (2012). How Music Works. McSweeneysÌý

Cox, T. (2014). Sonic wonderland. Bodley Head.Ìý

Jean-Francois Augoyard and Henry Torgue (2006). Sonic ExperienceÌý

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Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year

Intended teaching term: Term 1 ÌýÌýÌý Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and assessment

Mode of study
In person
Intended teaching location
¹û¶³Ó°Ôº East
Methods of assessment
100% Coursework
Mark scheme
Numeric Marks

Other information

Number of students on module in previous year
53
Module leader
Mr Jack Reynolds
Who to contact for more information
jack.reynolds.13@ucl.ac.uk

Last updated

This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.

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