Learning Outcomes
- Gain technical skills in the acquisition, manipulation, production and presentation and use of sound in all forms of design & communication.
- Gain a basic to intermediate proficiency in professional audio software such as ProTools.
- Understand the properties of sound and digital audio in the production process.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in basic sound recording and live studio set-ups.
- Obtain knowledge of sound from historical, technological, cultural, aesthetic and analytical perspectives.
- Gain a new appreciation for the role sound plays in our daily lives.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND COURSE MATERIALS
· Pro Tools 101:An Introduction to Pro Tools 10 by Cook, D. Frank, Cengage Learning, ISB # 978113377655
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS BUT NOT REQUIRED
Although these texts are not mandatory for the class, they offer tremendous insight both technically and conceptually in the world of sound.
- Sound for Film and Television by Holman, Tomlinson, Focal Press ISBN-13: 978-0240802916
- Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound by Yewdall, Lewis, David, Focal Pres ISBN-13: 978-0240802886
- Sound Design by David Sonnenschein, Focal Press ISBN-13: 978-0941188265
- The Sound Effects Bible by Ric Viers, Michael Wiese Productions ISBN-13: 978-1932907483
- Silence by John Cage, Wesleyan; 1st edition (June 15, 1961) ISBN-13: 978-0819560285
- Noise Water Meat by Douglas Kahn, The MIT Press ISBN-13: 978-0262611725
- Sound by Caleb Kelly, The MIT Press ISBN978-0-262-51568-9
Resources
Free/open source audio applications
• http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
• http://ardour.org
Free sound effect library
• http://www.freesound.org/tagsViewSingle.php?id=2699
Required Materials and Supplies
Flash Drive: 16 GB (Hi speed recommended)
Some form of data storage is required. USB (or flash) drives, CDRs, or Firewire/USB drives are recommended. You will need several CDR disks for turning in projects (others can be used to back up your files).
Headphones:
To work in the lab or any Audio Workstation not equipped with Audio Monitors, you will need headphones and have a 1⁄4” adapter. – Bring these headphones and adapter to every class.
CMT 31 SECTION 1604 GRADE BREAKDOWN
Project 1 Sound art and design research presentation 8%
Project 2: Field recording 8%
Project 3: Audio narrative (Midterm project) 10%
Project 4: Replace sound track 8%
Project 5: Final project 10%
Essay: Listen to myself listen 5%
Homework assignments (written summaries of assigned readings) 11%
Quiz Questions (presented at the beginning of each class) 15%
Midterm exam (5% written, 5% skills evaluation) 10%
Final exam (5% written, 10% skills evaluation) 15%
100%
*Midterm and Final Exams and Practical Skills Requirement
Both Exams contain a skills requirement. That is, you will be asked to perform certain skills on the equipment. You must be able to demonstrate basic proficiency with the equipment and software to pass the class.
*The final project must be approved in advance. Each student will be submitting a one (1) page proposal for my approval
Reading Assignments and lab work:
● Responsibility
Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent. Late papers, failure to complete the readings assigned for class discussion, and lack of preparedness for in-class discussions and presentations will jeopardize your successful completion of this course.
Absence or lateness does not exempt you from turning in your assignments at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not receive full credit.
Uploading Editing Assignments: Students are responsible for uploading their assignments to the appropriate online course management software for evaluation.
Tape Recording: Generally-speaking, student tape recording of lectures is not permitted. Should a student require assistance in taking notes during class, due to a disability, please contact me privately. Any student who feels he or she has a disability may want to take advantage of the Office of Disability Services at
718-289-5874, LO-213.
Children and Guests in class: Children and guests are not allowed in my class.
Email: Periodically, I will communicate with you via email. In some cases, I will provide supplemental materials or assignments via email. You are required to have a working email address for this course and one you access frequently. The college provides each student with a free email address and internet access via the college’s computer labs. If you don’t have your own computer, please schedule time so that you can access email for this course
● Participation
Class participation is an essential part of class and includes: keeping up with reading, contributing meaningfully to class discussions, active participation in group work, and coming to class regularly and on time.
● Plagiarism and Cheating:
According to the College, plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty, which occurs when individuals attempt to present as their own, ideas, or statements that have come from another source. Cheating is defined as a) taking or giving help on a test; b) using unauthorized books, papers, notes or unauthorized pre-prepared materials during an examination; c) passing off another person’s work as one’s own in the case of projects, papers, portfolios, lab reports; or d) falsifying reports that clinical procedures were completed, and fabricating data such as vitals signs, lab reports, etc. Please refer to the College Catalog for further information. I take academic dishonesty extremely seriously. If I suspect you have cheated or plagiarized I will immediately approach you to discuss the matter. Please don’t put either of us in this position. Each student will be evaluated individually on their knowledge of Pro Tools 10.
Reading Assignments: Please come to each class session prepared and ready to learn. I will expect that everyone has done the assigned reading. In class, I will ask questions and I will randomly call on students.
Outside Work: During my class, outside work is not permitted. The equipment is to be used for only work related to CMT 31.
Classroom/lab decorum: Students are not to eat or drink in the classrooms or studios unless it is for recording purposes approved by the instructor. During lab hours, students should avoid distracting other students in the lab as much as possible.
ePortfolio:
This online academic networking and portfolio tool allows you to post blogs, participate in online discussions, submit academic work. In this course, the ePortfolio will be used as an online space from which we can locate course concepts and information, as a feedback mechanism for your editing, Upload exercise video and as a creative environment for you to post material related to our work in CMT 31. This course will utilize ePortfolio course management systems. Students’ will be required to post videos, access production materials, and stay updated on all course related content via BCC ePortfolio.
Communication Arts & Sciences Department
Media Technology Program
Spring 2012 Attendance Policy
Attendance at all class sessions is required. Class attendance is considered both a privilege and a responsibility. There are no provisions for excused absences or “free cuts.” Students are allowed two hours of absence for a course that meets one hour per week, four hours of absence for a course that meets two hours per week, six hours of absence for a course that meets three hours per week, and eight hours of absence for a course that meets four hours per week. Please note: The attendance policy is based on hours of absence not class sessions. Every additional hour of absence beyond the stated allowance (e.g., six hours for a 3 credit class) will result in a reduction of the final course grade by one full letter grade. (B becomes a C, C becomes a D, etc.) In addition, each instructor may have her/his own lateness policy that applies in conjunction with this departmental attendance policy.
Lateness
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the first 5 minutes of my class. If you are not present at the time I take attendance, you will be considered late. If you are late more than three times, you will receive one (1) official absence.
Classes begins promptly at the times indicated in the Schedule of Classes. Arrival in class after the scheduled starting time constitutes lateness. Latecomers may, at the discretion of the instructor, be refused admission to a class session and/or incur an official absence.
