JAPAN 4740 - Japanese Soundscapes

This course explores a range of acoustic environments in, of, and related to Japan, past and present. Through close reading and attentive listening, we will consider how sound relates to sociality in a variety of contexts, from medieval tales performed by itinerant monks and nuns to immersive listening in our post-Walkman world. Topics include adaptations of ancient court music, soundscapes of traditional festivals, politics and nostalgia in popular song, noise pollution and acoustic conservation, ludomusicology, and the relationship between sound and language. While we will spend a lot of time listening to, reading about, and discussing music, our goal is to learn how to think critically about a broader range of acoustic practices. All materials in English and course taught in English.