Syllabus
ART 3504/4504/5605: SOUND DESIGN
Where: Library 122 & 121 (DISIS LAB)
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 AM - 11:25 AM
Faculty: Lesley Duffield he/him/his
Office: Media Annex 103B
Office Hours: By Appointment
Contact: duffles@vt.edu
DISIS Login: (Swipe access required for this class)
name: student
PW: Student
Course Description: This 3xxx/4xxxx level course investigates the principles and practices of sound design across four projects. Students investigate the structures, forms, and technical approaches to sound through examination of audio works, undertaking developmental exercises, and applying formal critique. The projects in this class are intended to showcase each student's visionary creative direction through sound production and design.
Unit 1: Sound Design for Fictional Narrative.
Concepts: Digesis. Storyworld. Polytensile story points. Converging/Diverging.
Project: Write your own short story or pull from mythology. Develop your own 60 to 90 second rendition using sound design techniques for film. Consider dramatic tension and a dynamic sound design that both complements and drives the story. Audio only.
Unit 2: Sound Design for Documentary
Concepts: Persuasion, Information, Exposition. Interview. Audiography. Field. Argumentation.
Project: How do sounds influence our interpretation of information and "truth"? Create a 90 second to 2 minute audio work that informs and persuades. Consider your audience, as well as the subject, ideology.
Unit 3: Non-Objective Sound Design
Concept: Applied sound design for public viewing.
Prompt: A planetarium in Roanoke is hosting a 7-8 minute looping animation featuring 3D CG low-poly sea creatures. The theme is "underwater and out of reach." Contribute ~30 seconds of ambient and atmospheric content to an 8-minute looping presentation that has no discernable beginning or end.
Unit 4: Open Theme Sound Design.
Concept: Show off what you can do. Introduce us to something you care about. Pull off something ambitious.
Project: Design an audio experience. The theme and content is entirely up to you. Combine the many skills you have learned to deliver a finished work that is 90 seconds - 2 minutes in duration.
Grading:
Creative Projects 60%
Exercises and HW 25%
Attendance and Participation 15%
Attendance Policy:
4 absences free.
On the 5th absence 10% dediction from final grade
On the 6th absence 20% deduction from final grade
After the 7th absence, a grade of F will be awardeded.
Prolonged Absences
In cases of prolonged absences, students may ask their academic deans or the Dean of Students to notify their instructors of the reason for their absence. Staff members from the Office of the Dean of Students may verify absences from class for students who have documentation to support an absence beyond their control. The staff members send an absence verification notice to the college dean, who then forwards the verification to faculty members. A staff member from the Office of the Dean of Students reinforces with the student that they are responsible for contacting the faculty member to arrange make-up of any missed work.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states:
“As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.” Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.
Academic integrity expectations are the same for online classes as they are for in person classes. We strongly discourage problematic temptations such as Chegg, CourseHero, and GroupMe. Please be aware that we are able to effectively investigate these incidents. If you have any questions about these sites or discussing them, please do not hesitate to call the Office of Academic Integrity. All university policies and procedures apply in any Virginia Tech academic environment, and all students are expected to follow them.
For additional information about the Honor Code, please visit:
https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require the University to provide an "academic adjustment" and/or a "reasonable accommodation" to any individual who advises us of a physical or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or
accommodation, please arrange a meeting with me at your earliest convenience, well in advance of the first exam.