FVD 143s -- Special Topics in Sound

James S. Lee, Ph.D.
Spring 2008

Duke University
Program in Film and Video
TTh 7:15-9:15pm - - -Smith Warehouse 228
E-mail: james.s.lee@duke.edu

Equipment Checkout: TBA

A Preliminary Schedule of Lectures, Exercises, and Deadlines
This is likely to see some adjustments and changes as the semester progresses.

Week 1, Jan 9	Week 2, Jan 14, 16	Week 3, Jan 21, 23	Week 4, Jan 28, 30	Week 5, Feb 4, 6
Week 6, Feb 11, 13	Week 7, Feb 18, 20	Week 8, Feb 25, 27	Week 9, Mar 3, 5	Week 10, Mar 10, 12
Week 11, Mar 17, 19	Week 12, Mar 24, 26	Week 13,Mar31, Apr 2	Week 14, Apr 7, 9	Week 15, Apr 14, 16
Week 16, Apr 21, 23				Back to Course Page

Week 1, Jan 9
    Introduction to course and each other.
    Administrative matters. Exercises in listening and reflection assigned.
     Read material on Listening and Acoustics and Perception of Sound.
     Group assignments.
Week 2, Jan 14, 16
    The Listen and Reflect experience reported Jan 14.
    Hard Choice Essay due Jan 16.
    Read Helen Keller's essay, Three Days to See.
    Introduction to the psycho-acoustics and the physics of sound.
   Introduction to acquisition hardware.
    Introduction to software applications.

Week 3, Jan 21, 23 (No class Jan 21, MLK Day)
   Prehistory and Culture of Sound Recording.
     Continue introduction to software applications.
     Group Project consultations..

Week 4, Jan 28, 30
    Project One due Jan 28.
    Auditioning of projects.

Week 5, Feb 4, 6

Week 6,   Feb 11, 13
Project Two due Feb 11.
    Audition and critique projects.

Week 7, Feb 18, 20
    Continue audition and critique of projects.

Week 8,   Feb 25, 27
    Project Three (Snapshots) due Feb 25.
    Audition and critique of snapshots.

Week 9, Mar 3, 5
     Consideration of site specific installations and experimental audio art.
    Read Nicholas Gebhardt's "Can You Hear Me? What is Sound Art." from the Soundsite page.
    The responses to Gebhardt's article really get to some of the critical issues he raises. Read them too.

Week 10, Mar 10, 12
    (No Classes, Spring Break)


Week 11, Mar 17, 19
    Research Paper/Advanced Production Option proposals due Mar 17
    Class will meet at the Nasher Museum on Mar 19.
Week 12, Mar 24, 26
    Project Four due Mar 26.

Week 13, Mar 31, Apr 2
    Audition projects.

Week 14, Apr 7, 9

Week 15, Apr, 14, 16
    Audio Genre Development Foundation proposals due Apr 16.
    Research Paper/Advanced Production Option due Apr 16.

Week 16, Apr 21, 23.
    Last week of classes. Project Five (final) due Apr 23.
    Begin audition and evaluation of final projects.

    Final Exam. Saturday, May 3rd, 7:00 - 10:00pm
    Continue audition and evaluation of final projects.
Back to Course Page