Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound from Coursera

Students of this course may try their hand at their own sound interventions and musical compositions, or simply focus on learning more about diverse musical traditions, sonic experimentation, and acoustic phenomena in everyday life. Designed by artist and Duke professor, Pedro Lasch, and UdK composer Mathias Hinke, this course is also co-taught by scholar and musician Jace Clayton (DJ Rupture) and curator Candice Hopkins (Documenta 14). The lectures link major artistic developments of recent decades to wider ideas about sound in specific social and spatial contexts.

Also included are guest presentations from key thinkers and practitioners, like: Christopher DeLaurenti, Jen Delos Reyes, Tina Haver Currin, Quran Karriem, Christina Kubisch, Thomas Kusitzky, Scott Lindroth, Mark Anthony Neal, Bill Seaman, and John Supko. As the ‘ART of the MOOC’ title implies, learners and participants are encouraged to treat the MOOC itself as a public art medium. This happens mostly through the course’s optional practical components, local project productions, global exchanges, and critical feedback. While no prior sound production or musical experience is required, projects also offer challenging options for advanced learners.

For other course offerings or language versions in this series, just search 'ART of the MOOC' in the Coursera catalog.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction & Analytical Concepts

This module introduces the four co-teachers of the course (Lasch, Clayton, Hinke, Hopkins), along with five analytical concepts that we will use throughout its sections and projects: Frequency, Perspective, Material Frame, Time Frame, and Concurrency. These concepts are designed to encompass a wide range of acoustic phenomena within spatial and social experience.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Meets demands in both the music and visual arts industry

Appropriate for both hobbyists and professionals

Provides hands-on, practical experience

Can be taken as a standalone course or as part of a larger series

Taught by renowned instructors in the field of contemporary art

Coursework may be challenging for beginners

Reviews summary

Sound, art, and culture exploration

According to learners, this course offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective (positive) on sound, linking it to art, culture, and everyday life. Many found the conceptual framework (positive) provided by the instructors to be inspiring and eye-opening. Students appreciated the diverse guest speakers (positive) and the way the course encouraged creative experimentation (positive), especially through the optional projects (positive). However, some mentioned that the concepts could be abstract (warning) at times, potentially requiring effort to fully grasp, and a few felt the project instructions could be clearer (warning). The course is generally considered accessible even without prior experience (positive), but offers enough depth to be rewarding for those with some background.

Insights from various experts and artists.

"The guest presentations added so much value and brought diverse perspectives to the topics."

"Hearing from practitioners like Christopher DeLaurenti was inspiring and provided real-world context."

"The lineup of guest speakers was impressive and highly relevant to the course's themes."

Hands-on experimentation is encouraged.

"The optional projects were the best part; they really pushed me to get creative and apply the ideas in practice."

"I enjoyed having the freedom in the projects to interpret the prompts in my own way and experiment."

"Even though they were optional, I highly recommend doing the projects – they solidify the learning."

Introduces powerful ideas and analytical tools.

"The analytical concepts like Frequency and Perspective were incredibly useful for breaking down complex sonic experiences."

"The lectures were packed with interesting ideas and examples, making seemingly abstract topics accessible."

"Learning about different schools of listening and how music travels globally was eye-opening."

Explores sound beyond traditional music focus.

"I loved how this course looked at sound from so many different angles - not just music, but cultural practices, public spaces, and even failure."

"This course completely changed how I think about listening and the sounds around me. It's a truly original approach."

"It's fascinating how the course connects artistic developments with social and spatial contexts of sound."

Ideas can be complex or difficult for some.

"Sometimes the concepts felt a bit too abstract, and I had to rewatch lectures to fully grasp them."

"While the ideas are fascinating, they aren't always presented in the most straightforward manner."

"If you prefer a very concrete, step-by-step approach, some parts might feel challenging."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound with these activities:

Read Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks

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This book provides a fascinating look at the neurological basis of music. It will help you to understand how music can affect the brain and how the brain processes music.

View Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Practice identifying the different elements of sound.

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This activity will help you to develop your ability to identify the different elements of sound.

Browse courses on Sound

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Listen to a piece of music.
Identify the different elements of sound in the music, such as the pitch, timbre, and rhythm.
Repeat this process with different pieces of music.

Watch a tutorial on how to use a digital audio workstation.

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This activity will help you to learn how to use a digital audio workstation, which is a software program that allows you to record, edit, and mix music.

Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation

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Find a tutorial on how to use a digital audio workstation.
Watch the tutorial.
Practice using the digital audio workstation.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Review the basics of music theory.

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This activity will help you to refresh your knowledge of music theory, which is essential for understanding music.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review your notes from a previous music theory course.
Take a practice quiz on music theory.
Watch a tutorial on music theory.

Create a playlist of your favorite songs that represent the different elements of sound.

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This activity will help you to understand the different elements of sound and how they can be used to create music.

Browse courses on Sound

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Choose a streaming service or platform.
Create a new playlist.
Add songs to the playlist that represent the different elements of sound.
Share the playlist with a friend or colleague.

Write a short essay about the role of sound in your life.

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This activity will help you to reflect on the role that sound plays in your life and how it can affect your emotions and experiences.

Browse courses on Sound

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Brainstorm a list of ideas.
Write an outline.
Write the essay.
Revise and edit the essay.

Attend a workshop on sound design.

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This activity will help you to learn about sound design and how it can be used to create different effects in music and other media.

Browse courses on Sound Design

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Find a workshop on sound design.
Attend the workshop.
Practice the techniques that you learned in the workshop.

Meet with a peer to discuss your progress and share ideas.

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This activity will help you to get feedback on your work and to learn from others.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Find a peer to meet with.
Discuss your progress and share ideas.
Give and receive feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

Composers create original music, often for specific purposes, such as film scores, video game soundtracks, or concert pieces. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Composer, such as an understanding of notation systems, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Sound Engineer

Sound Engineers use their knowledge of sound and acoustics to design, install, and maintain sound systems. They also work with musicians and other audio professionals to record and mix music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Sound Engineer, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. They work with musicians, singers, and other audio professionals to create polished and professional-sounding recordings. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Producer, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Musician

Musicians use their knowledge of music theory, composition, and performance to create and perform music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Musician, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Sound Designer

Sound Designers create and manipulate sound effects for film, television, and video games. They also work with musicians and other audio professionals to create immersive and realistic soundscapes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Music Director

Music Directors oversee the musical aspects of a production, such as a play, opera, or ballet. They work with musicians, singers, and other members of the creative team to ensure that the music is in sync with the rest of the production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Archivist

Music Archivists preserve and catalog music collections. They work in libraries, museums, and other institutions to ensure that music is available to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Archivist

Music Librarian

Music Librarians help people find and access music. They work in libraries, schools, and other institutions to maintain and organize music collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Promoter

Music Promoters promote and organize concerts, festivals, and other music events. They work with musicians, venues, and other professionals to ensure that events are successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Promoter

Music Publisher

Music Publishers represent musicians and composers and help them to get their music to the public. They work with record labels, music distributors, and other professionals to ensure that music is available to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher

Music Agent

Music Agents represent musicians and help them to find work. They work with venues, promoters, and other professionals to book gigs and negotiate contracts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Agent

Music Historian

Music Historians study the history of music. They research, write, and teach about music from all cultures and time periods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Historian

Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They also interview musicians, review concerts, and cover music-related events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Journalist, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to write about music in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Teacher

Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. They develop lesson plans, lead classes, and help students learn to play instruments, sing, and appreciate music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Teacher, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to teach music in a fun and engaging way.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and mental health. They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Therapist, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to use music to promote healing and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist