Outline

Overview

This unit of study will engage a studio-based approach to the production of sound art works through the prism of two of its primary means, namely recording and amplification. The emphasis will be on the production of recorded sound works and sound devices that can expand and develop the relationships between the analogue and the digital and between the composed and the open-ended structures of noise as an event. The unit will begin with ideas from sound ecology and music concrete and by way of field recording, sound manipulation and performance heading in an exploratory way towards the limits of sound as noise, situating the spectrum of a material practice with sound in a historical context. This unit will be conducted in an open studio framework within workshops, sound studios and digital labs suitable for candidates working in a broad range of artistic disciplines. Sound has the potential to invent new sonic landscapes and to demarcate unheard psycho-geographies: from radical approaches towards production to potential new collaborations in the street (or in the landscape), from the technical and the scientific to oral investigations of the social. This open studio investigates sound as a primary vehicle for artistic expression in a work of contemporary art.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Joyce Hinterding, joyce.hinterding@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Peter Blamey, peter.blamey@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Assignment 2: Self Directed (Experimenal Sound) sound art project	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Nov 2023	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Blog Research Blog	20%	Formal exam period Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Nov 2023	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Assignment 1: Sound Ecology sound art project	30%	Week 08 Due date: 18 Sep 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Sep 2023	n/a
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Project 1: Sound Ecology, Produce a sound artwork in response to the project brief. This will be supplied in week one and will be discussed extensively in class.

Project 2: Self-Directed (Experimental Sound), Produce & present a self-directed Experimental Sound artwork based on a project proposal. The proposal process will be discussed in class, and academic staff will support students to creating artwork based on their ideas with appropriate processes and technologies.

Research Blog: Maintain an online blog that provides a place to document your research, projects' development, and finished sound artworks.

The Research Blog weighting (20%) is 10% on Assignment 1 and 10% on Assignment 2.

You must attempt all assessment tasks to pass this unit!

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

This unit uses standards-based assessment for award of assessment marks. Your assessments will be evaluated solely on the basis of your individual performance You need to satisfy requirements as determined by academic staff, including attendance, communicated to you through the Sydney College of the Arts Handbook, unit of study outlines, other written notifications and/or verbally through tutorials or seminars. All requirements must be met in order to be eligible for an assessment.

Your work will be assessed according to the following criteria, based on: attendance; participation and responsiveness to the unit of study and academic direction; written work; studio work and other unit of study work; tutorial and seminar team discussion. These criteria apply to studio-based learning and to theory units of study.

1. Competence
Demonstration of the development and application of practical and intellectual competency and skills appropriate to the unit of study.

2. Development
Demonstration of the ability to initiate and realise your own objectives for studio practice and theory work within the requirements of the unit of study and of your developing knowledge of the historical and theoretical context of your practice. You are expected to improve your abilities, competency and understanding over the course of a semester, and over successive semesters.

3. Critical Awareness
Demonstration of developing a critical awareness and knowledge of the unit of study and the ability to objectively evaluate your own work, select appropriate methods and materials and to formulate and evaluate ideas/methods.

4. Commitment
Demonstration of commitment and self-motivation in respect of the unit of study. The level of commitment to study in the academic program is reflected in; the development of self-motivation applied to individual, group or assignment-based work; the degree of participation in all units of study including group work, project submissions, essays and discussions; the development of a consistent work pattern; and the regularity and punctuality of attendance and submissions.

5. Innovation
Demonstration of innovative and imaginative thinking, appropriate to the unit of study, evidencing the quality of ideas underlying your work and development in your studies.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Formal exam period	Assignment 2: Self-Directed (Experimental Sound) Due 50% Audio research Blog Due 20% Present and Upload	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 01	Unit Overview and Introductions: Presentation on Sound Art, Noise and the Soundscape / Introduction to Assignment 1: Sound Ecology & Research Blog	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Seminar & Studio: Field Recording: SoundScape. / Exercise 1 Sound Walk / Intro to AV, OWHS, Recording devices, Microphones.	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Seminar & Studio: Acoustic spaces: Listening & Resonance. / Music Concrete: Manipulation & Distortion / Self Publishing Audio / Recording and Publishing Formats. / Exercise 2 "I am sitting in a room"	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Seminar & Studio: Intro to Audio Editing. Present results of exercises 1 & 2. Intro to Sound Studio and PA	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Group Crit: Present Assignment 1 Sound Ecology work in progress, ideas blog.	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to Assignment 2: Self-Directed ( Experimental Sound). individual Tutorials	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Seminar & Studio or Self-directed Study: Check weekly Schedule + SCA Art Week. Intro to Basic Audio Electronics. / No input & Sound effects. / Workshop on building a Contact microphone. / Exercise 3 Vibration	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Assignment 1: Sound ecology Due 30% present and upload finished work.	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 09	Seminar & Studio or Public Holiday Check the weekly schedule on CANVAS. Intro to Basic Audio Electronics. / No input & Sound effects. / Workshop on building a Contact microphone. / Exercise 3 Vibration	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Present proposal for Assignment 2: Self Directed ( experimental sound) ideas, research, experiments work in progress and blog	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Seminar: Sound Waves & Generating Noise Hardware and Software Sound studio Individual tutorials	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Seminar & Studio: Technical Troubleshooting, Sound Installation: Hardware / software Individual Tutorials	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Group Crit: Assignment 2 Self Directed (Experimental Sound) work in progress and blog	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours of preparation time (reading, studying, homework, projects, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.
Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted.
You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at the assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Have developed an understanding of noise orientated sound art through the recording and presentation processes necessary for producing an artwork
LO2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of contemporary art practices, histories and theories that informs their own creative processes
LO3. Plan and manage individual work practice and to work autonomously
LO4. Initiate, develop and resolve work, appropriate to aims and proposals
LO5. Demonstrate rigorous and independent thinking
LO6. Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and apply local and international perspectives to extend their creative practice
LO7. Use appropriate technologies and media to effectively gather information
LO8. Support ideas and concepts through verbal and visual means,
LO9. Objectively and critically evaluate concepts and reflect on their resolution,
LO10. Apply OH&S principles to all aspects of practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The titles of the assignments in this unit have been adjusted and updated in response to in-class student feedback.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Over the course of the semester, you will be given guidance in the safe use of SCA's production equipment and facilities. It is essential for the safety of yourself and others and for the safety of the equipment that you follow these guidelines.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CAEL5035: The Art of Sound and Noise

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect