Expectations
In keeping with the mission of the Department of Cinema and Photography, this is a fast-paced course that emphasizes both technical and conceptual skills. You will complete three creative projects over the course of the semester as well as lead one class discussion as “überstudent;” complete and write comments and questions on all assigned readings; maintain a sound journal for homework assignments; participate in in-class discussions and critiques; and complete a midterm exam. Students enrolled in this course as CP470B must also write a short analytic paper. It takes time to learn new skills, and practicing outside of class hours is absolutely necessary for learning and success in the course. We meet just four hours per week; plan on spending at least an equivalent amount of time on work for this course outside of class. Preparation for and participation in discussions and critiques is essential.
You and a small group of your fellows will be überstudents once this semester. This means that you are responsible for posting a summary of the articles for discussion, preparing an engaging 45-minute presentation on the assigned readings and leading a 30-45 minute discussion.
Regardless of whether it is your week as überstudent, you are responsible for completing the assigned readings, reviewing the summary on the wiki, and writing three thoughtful comments and three open-ended discussion questions in your sound journal. This journal will also be used for brainstorming on projects and completing sporadic written homework assignments, such as listening exercises and short analyses or reviews of sound pieces. An average sound journal will include notes on all assignments and evidence of thoughtful completion of written homework assignments. A superlative sound journal will demonstrate an ongoing curiosity about the course material and continued investigations into listening exercises and audio analysis beyond the required homework assignments. You are encouraged to purchase a bound, unlined journal or sketchbook for this purpose; in the likely event that several classes have the same requirement or that you also use your book as a personal diary, please create and clearly label a specific section for this course.
You will also have periodic technical homework assignments to practice sound recording and mixing skills. These will be due the days indicated on the syllabus and should be uploaded to your folder within “To Turn In” folder on the class server. These should be named according to the following conventions: yourlastname_homework01.aif. We will go over uploading to the server in the first week of class.
Attendance
Promptness and attendance is expected. You may need to miss class from time to time: you may exercise your discretion, and I make no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. However, I consider more than two absences excessive and will reduce your semester grade accordingly, excepting extreme and documented circumstances. Excessive tardiness is no better than absence, as it disrupts the flow of the class for other students, and repeated tardiness will also negatively impact your grade. Late work will only be accepted at the discretion of the instructor and may result in a reduction of your project grade. Work not appropriately prepared for critique (e.g. not in the proper file format or media) will be considered late.Image: Still from La Jetee, Chris Marker, 1962