Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/experiments-with-sound

Introduction

### Course Review: Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound on Coursera In the era of technological innovation and artistic exploration, the online course "Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound" emerges as a captivating option for anyone interested in the interplay between sound and society. Designed by a talented team including Duke Professor Pedro Lasch, composer Mathias Hinke from UdK, DJ Rupture (Jace Clayton), and curator Candice Hopkins, this course offers a unique blend of theoretical analysis and practical experimentation that draws on diverse musical traditions and sonic phenomena found in our daily lives. #### Course Overview The course introduces students to an analytical framework that empowers them to explore sound in various contexts—be it musical compositions, sound interventions, or cultural soundscapes. Each module is thoughtfully constructed to engage learners with both theoretical concepts and hands-on projects, fostering a deep understanding of sound as a dynamic medium. The syllabus is divided into informative modules that cover core themes, with each section equipping students with essential tools to analyze sound: 1. **Introduction & Analytical Concepts**: Students are introduced to key analytical terms—Frequency, Perspective, Material Frame, Time Frame, and Concurrency—setting the foundation for future lessons. 2. **Elements of Sound and Social Practices**: This module delves into various sound elements such as tuning, resonance, and silence, while also examining the use of sound in non-musical social settings. The exploration of societal sound practices makes it relatable and academically enriching. 3. **Project: Playing with Sound Rules**: A practical segment where students can experiment with the concept of sound rules in chosen spaces, encouraging creativity and application of learned concepts. 4. **Notation, How Music Travels & Public Space**: An exploration of how sound is conceptualized, notated, and experienced in different urban and rural contexts enhances understanding of music's mobility in society. 5. **Project: Erase the Sound of a Space**: In this project, students are challenged to consider what it means to 'erase' a sound, pushing the boundaries of what we perceive as noise in our environment. 6. **Listening as Practice, Global Forms & The Sound of the Net**: A critical examination of listening practices and the evolution of 'world music’ provides students with a broader cultural perspective, forming connections between sound, globalization, and new media. 7. **Project: Experiment with Failure**: Emphasizing the importance of trial and error in creative processes, this project invites students to engage in experimental sound practices. 8. **Open Project**: For those seeking to synthesize their learning, this capstone project allows for a creative and expansive application of concepts throughout the course. #### Strengths of the Course - **Diverse Backgrounds of Instructors**: The unique perspectives of co-teachers bring a multifaceted view on sound studies. Their combined expertise in musicology, visual arts, and cultural criticism enrich the learning experience. - **Practical Engagement**: The incorporation of optional projects encourages students to immerse themselves in sound experimentation. This hands-on approach solidifies theoretical insights and nurtures creativity. - **Relevance to Contemporary Issues**: The course addresses the relationship between sound, technology, and culture, making it particularly relevant in our increasingly interconnected world. - **Flexible Learning**: With online access, learners can engage with content at their own pace, accommodating diverse schedules and commitments. #### Recommendations "Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound" is highly recommended for students, artists, and anyone curious about the exploration of sound in social contexts. Whether you're looking to create your own sound compositions or deepen your knowledge of global musical traditions, this course provides an excellent foundation. The course's blend of theory and practice allows for an in-depth exploration of sound’s role in society, encouraging participants to think critically about their auditory experiences. Overall, this Coursera course is a creative endeavor that not only educates but also inspires a new appreciation for the sounds that surround us every day. Don't miss the chance to redefine your perception of sound—enroll in this exhilarating course today!

Syllabus

Introduction & Analytical Concepts

This module introduces the four co-teachers of the course (Lasch, Clayton, Hinke, Hopkins), along with five analytical concepts that we will use throughout its sections and projects: Frequency, Perspective, Material Frame, Time Frame, and Concurrency. These concepts are designed to encompass a wide range of acoustic phenomena within spatial and social experience.

This lesson expands on specific terms or ‘sound elements’ that include tuning, resonance, silence, improvisation, rhythm, synchronization, duration, and timbre. It also addresses traditional tools in sound production, from musical instruments to sampling, auto-tunes, and other more recent technologies. The module concludes by exploring the role of sound in specific non-musical social settings and practices, such as clapping, fan culture, sports, traffic jams, mass demonstrations, and more.

The practical component of this section is optional, asking learners to choose a space with specific ‘sound rules’ and change or alter these rules through actual experimentation.

This lesson begins by focusing on the relationship between experimental practices and scores or notation systems. It also examines how sound has been used and understood by artists in specific urban contexts, such as ports, train stations, and airports, as well as rural settings, including forests, gardens, and the wider landscape. We conclude with an examination of how sound and music travel, be it through the populations who produce it, or the objects and digital files that are used to record and share it.

The practical component is optional, inviting learners to ‘erase a sound in space’ through a range of possible strategies.

This lesson provides an overview of the methods and ideas from different schools of listening. It also presents a critical examination of the term ‘world music’ and how it has evolved in relation to economic and cultural globalization. With this global perspective in mind, the concluding portions of our lectures are dedicated to acoustic experience and musical experimentation on the net, the radio, cellular networks, and various social media, including all of the glitches, accidents, and failures we associate with these platforms.

The practical component of this module is optional, asking learners to produce their own experiment with media and technical failure.

This module is optional and only for those who wish to put what they learned from the course into one final project that is more open and ambitious in scale. Two options are given for this, one being your most ambitious project, and the other based on the creation and use of your own musical instruments.