For the second podcast, you will work with another member of the class to conduct research on the history, cultural context, and conceptual implications of a sound object. Professor Brennan will select and assign the objects to be researched. Together each pair of students will complete a series of assignments that will culminate in the production of a podcast episode presenting your research findings.
Your goal in this project is to describe and analyze the object as a cultural artifact (similar to how Jonathan Sterne analyzed the mp3). Thus your research on the object should investigate two interrelated sets of questions:
DESCRIPTION—HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF OBJECT. This part of your research should investigate the communities and activities in which the assigned object is found. Some questions that will animate this part of your research include: What is it? What does it do? Where does it come from? Who uses it and how? Why and how was it created? How do the people who use it talk about their use of it?
ANALYSIS—CONCEPTUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUND SCHOLARS. This part of your research should discuss how your assigned object relates to the conceptual issues we addressed in the first part of the class (sound, noise, music, hearing, listening, technology, voice) as well as any issues that may emerge in the readings we will discuss during weeks 6-9. You should also make an argument that connects your analysis of the object to the questions about knowledge that we have discussed (sensation, the relationship between mind and body, how culture factors into the construction of knowledge in society).
Please note that the description and the analysis are interconnected. What you describe about the historical and cultural context of your object will depend on the kind of analysis that you wish to make in your research.
Project Schedule:
Sound Objects Assigned and Groups formed: in class on Tuesday, October 6
Library Research Session: Thursday, October. 8
Research Statement: Due Friday, October 16 by 11:59pm
Library Research Session: Thursday, October 22
“Trailer” (aka Research Report): Due Friday, October 30 by 11:59 pm
Sound Object Podcast: Due: Friday, November 13 by 11:59pm
Grading Breakdown:
The Sound Object Project is worth 20% of your overall course grade. This 20% will be broken down as follows:
Research Statement (10 points)
Trailer (10 points)
Sound Object Podcast (70 points)
- Ideas & Analysis (25 points)
- Content & Evidence (25 points)
- Creativity & Originality (10 points)
- Execution & Technique: (10 points)
Blog Comments (5 points)
- Comment on at least THREE podcasts made by other groups. You should complete your comments by 11:59pm on Friday, November 20.
Group Project Self-Assessment (5 points)
Write short responses to the following questions:
- How well do you think your group did at meeting the objectives of the assignment?
- How well do you think your group collaborated on the project?
- What do you think your grade on this project should be? Why? Is it the same as or different from the grade you think the group as a whole should receive? What is your rationale?
Submit your self-assessment by email to Professor Brennan by November 20.
Total Points Possible: 100