This class will explore how the sounds that surround us (and that we make) form space and inform our sense of place and self. Using our auditory faculties as a "lens", we will explore what it "means" to hear "bare sound". We will also explore "where" listening occurs (in the perceptual/imaginal), and we will read and discuss writings on the phenomenology of listening. How can listening to our environment (in the broadest sense) produce material for critical reflection? How can we make sonic interventions through using the (im)materiality of listening to manipulate or inform or relate to our soundscapes? How are languages developed / recycled / memorialized via listening? When we listen, what do we hear?  What changes in the experience of listening together as a group vs. alone? What is the affectual body of the sonics of this political, economic, ecological moment? What are the sonics of climate change? How is sound used to police people? 

Readings, discussion, and practice will be in the service of deepening our perceptual awareness and (if there is interest), informing our creative works or interventions. We will explore possibilities of audio recording and creating compositions (possibly via audio software such as Garage Band or Audacity and/or recorded improvisations).  Ideally, everyone will bring a recording they've made to each class. We will figure out a way for everyone to have access to recording equiptment. (Most cell phones have a recording function.)

Reading material we'll explore to map our listening forays include (but are not limited to!):
R. Murray Schafer - The Soundscape
Jean-Luc Nancy - Listening
Steven Feld - Sound and Sentiment
Don Idhe - Listening and Voice: Phenomenologies of Sound
John Cage - Silence: Lectures and Writings
Pauline Oliveros - Deep Listening: A Composer’s Sound Practice
Linda-Ruth Salter - Spaces Speak, Are You Listening?
Kieth H. Basso - Wisdom Sits in Places: Landscape and Language among the Western Apache 
Steve Goodman - Sonic Warfare

We'll also listen to various sound compositions together and discuss, including the work of Alvin Lucier, Kurt Shwitters, Tracie Morris, Jackson MacLow, etc., as well as popular music, country, rap and hip hop. These listenings will be currated by members of the class. 

This class will meet monthly -- possibly more frequently depending on the interest of the class -- TBD at our first meeting, Monday, October 1st at 8pm -- NOTE THE NEW TIME! We will gather at 8 and begin promptly at 8:15.  

• 2633 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 214, Oakland, CA 94612

• 214 buzzes to Andy's phone, buzz Rose at 124 if no one answers.

• street parking is free after 6