Admission requirements
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Description
Contemporary culture is as much a sonic and acoustic culture as it is a visual culture. Perhaps more than ever, sound carries cultural meaning, and the spaces we inhabit are soundscapes as much as landscapes and cityscapes. As an object of study, however, our sonic environment seems to be a quite recent discovery (of course with the exception of music). Auditory Culture explores the dynamic interaction between the acoustic environment, the socio-cultural milieu, and the individual listener. It focuses on the effects of sounds on listeners, starting from the idea that sonic marks consciously and unconsciously guide human behavior. This introduction is meant to become acquainted with the basic concepts that shape Auditory Culture through the reading of some core texts.
Course objectives
- The student is introduced to a relatively new field of study and research – auditory culture.
- The student develops a new attitude to her or his auditory environment.
- The student learns how to read scientific and philosophical texts. S/he practices so-called ‘close reading’.
- S/he learns to rethink the sonic environment into philosophical, sociological, historical, and aesthetical perspectives.
- The student is able to rethink former attitudes towards sounds. This enlarges her/his view on her/his aural environment.
Timetable
Lipsius building, room 235.B, Wednesdays from 15.00 to 17.00
Mode of instruction
Lecture and tutorial
Assessment method
- Written examination with open questions.
- End term paper
Blackboard
Yes
Reading list
- Bull, M. & L. Back (2004) The Auditory Culture Reader. Oxford: Berg Publishers.
- Schafer, R.M. (1994) The Soundscape. Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World. Rochester: Destiny Books
Registration
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.