Course Title: Soundscape Studies
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Soundscape Studies
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
ARCH1317 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
315H Architecture & Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013 |
ARCH1317 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
320H Architecture & Urban Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016 |
ARCH1317 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
370H Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2023 |
ARCH1318 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
315H Architecture & Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013 |
ARCH1318 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
320H Architecture & Urban Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016 |
ARCH1318 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
370H Design |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2022, Sem 2 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2023 |
Course Coordinator: Lawrence Harvey
Course Coordinator Phone: Please email
Course Coordinator Email: lawrence.harvey@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Please email
Course Coordinator Availability: Please email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
This is a course of study for participants from diverse disciplines, to investigate the nexus of listener experience, aural cultural and acoustic environments. The Soundscape Studies elective is designed to broaden your knowledge and skills by examining a range of concepts associated with sound, listening and acoustic environments.
This course is divided into two main sections. The first section provides learning opportunities to understand the core principles of soundscape studies. The second will apply these principles to enacting some change on an actual acoustic environment, and use the results of subjective listener tests and objective measurement to understand real-world issues. This course will extend your knowledge and understanding of sound and its relation to aural cultural, acoustic environments, psychophysical and cultural perspectives, and, the issues involved for developing research for enacting change within an acoustic environment.
A soundscape is “an environment of sound (or sonic environment) with emphasis on the way it is perceived and understood by the individual, or by a society. It thus depends on the relationship between the individual and any such environment. The term may refer to actual environments, or to abstract constructions such as musical compositions and [electroacoustic] montages, particularly when considered as an artificial [or virtual] environment.” 1 This course is divided into two main sections. The first section provides learning opportunities to understand the core principles of soundscape studies. The second will apply these principles to enacting some change on an actual acoustic environment, and use the results of subjective listener tests and objective measurement to understand real-world issues.
Students completing this course will have a broad understanding of sound, aural cultural and acoustic environments from physical, psychophysical and cultural perspectives, and the issues involved to develop research and/or bring about change within an acoustic environment.
1. Handbook for Acoustic Ecology, refer http://www2.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/Soundscape.html.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply your listening skills for identifying and analysing the principal components of a soundscape
- Critically assess a soundscape in relation to listener needs,
- Integrate a range of electroacoustic and acoustic measurement technologies, with subjective listener assessment for soundscape research
- Critically discuss and present design ideas and findings about a soundscape using aural, oral and visual methods,
- Explore, construct and implement a sound-design project to enact change in a soundscape
Overview of Learning Activities
This course is taught through the following learning activities; lectures, class demonstrations, listening exercises, soundwalks, field recording activities and site visits.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. To effectively participate in coursework, either on or away from campus, you are advised to obtain (as a minimum) the following:
-A personal computer with sufficient capacity
When on campus you will have access to and will utilise the School of Design facilities, specialist labs and software.
Course specific resources such as readings, listening repertoires, reference lists, access to specialist software, video demonstrations and class notes will be provided online.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
Project 1 Soundscape Analysis – 20% CLOs 1,2
Project 2 Soundscape Documentation Project – 40% CLOs 4,5
Project 3 Soundscape Composition – 40% CLOs 3,4
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy
The Student Charter provides an overview of key responsibilities of RMIT Staff and Students to ensure a successful experience of university life. www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/