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Sonic Environments - MUS00201H

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  • Department: Music
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module summary

This module will explore the possibilities presented by music production tools and technologies taken beyond the realm of standard music production. It will encourage students to create their own interactive tools, installations or systems to allow audience participation through interaction and play.

Related modules

Students will have completed MASR core UG module ‘Digital Signal Techniques’, Standalone Audio Systems for Interactivity, or a similar course (e.g. on BA Interactive Media)

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

Sonic Environments will offer students the opportunity to create novel experiential environments with a focus on sound that audiences can participate in or interact with. The module provides space for students to experiment and explore different music and sound production technologies, and co-opt them for their own purposes. The scope of this project is as broad as the student’s imagination. Students could create their own virtual drum kit, sound and video installations, generative or stochastic music systems, sonification projects, new musical instruments, or any other systems that allow audiences to participate in sound creation or manipulation. The module will be delivered with a focus on novel projects, and supporting students in their individual technical skills development. Whilst some content will be introduced in lectures, the majority of the module will be dedicated project sessions encouraging students to participate in curiosity-led practice.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of the module students will be able to:

  • Devise and plan sonic environments/interactive sound systems for public engagement

  • Create and construct the technical requirements for their systems

  • Comment on methods of interactivity in technological systems

  • Appraise and evaluate the stability, robustness and success of their systems

  • Explain their ideas to lay audiences without the need for technical jargon

Module content

On completion of the module, in your independent work, you should demonstrate learning outcomes 1-6, and 9 & 10. Second year students should demonstrate these outcomes at B level, whilst third year students should be working at C level. https://www.york.ac.uk/music/undergraduate/modules/learning-outcomes/

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Artefacts can be a range in type or formation (physical hardware, MaxMSP patch, installations) but should allow for audience participation and interaction through the manipulation or creation of sound or music. Project proposals for the artefacts will be discussed and defined with lecturer support. Assessment submissions can form either live demonstrations or recorded demonstrations, supported by either recorded verbal or written explanations of process and outcomes.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

TBC


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.