Instructional Resources
Sound Design and the Hollywood Blockbuster
August 20, 2008
As part of the University of Southern California’s initiative for undergraduate teaching excellence, micro-seminars are designed to give incoming freshman an introduction to various fields of study within the university. Professors are invited to create innovative two day seminars in their area of
Audio Culture 2008
January 30, 2008
The advertisement for THX sound tells us: “The audience is listening.” But what are we meant to be hearing? Is it the fidelity of the sound effects? The spectacle of multichannel surround sound? Or are we supposed to be considering how contemporary sound design is different from classical
Invited Lecture on Sound Design
November 16, 2007
As part of the ongoing lecture series for the USC John Hench Animation and Digital Arts Seminar, Tomlinson Holman, Kenny Hall and William Whittington presented lectures on the science of sound, music editing and sound design. A lively panel and Q&A session followed. Organizers of the seminar
Film, Culture and Buddhism: Temple Visit
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Students from the USC undergraduate course in Film, Culture and Buddhism visited the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. At the temple, class members toured the main shrine and listened to a lecture on the art and architecture of the temple, and later in the afternoon, discussed
Film, Culture and Buddhism
Friday, July 20, 2007
This undergraduate course is a critical exploration of Buddhist philosophy as it relates to contemporary film and media in a global context. Buddhism has been a highly influential tradition and philosophy engaged by filmmakers, theorists and filmgoers in recent years. For example, Buddhist themes
Adaptations
January 1, 2007
Course Description: This course is a critical overview of the history, theory and practice of adaptation. Traditionally, adaptation theory has been comparative (a novel vs. a film) and thus limited to arguments about authorship, intent and faithfulness to source material. But the complex exchanges
Digital Culture: Projects
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Participants in the Digital Culture course presented their research papers and projects during the final two sessions of the semester. The aim of this final assignment was for students to bridge the gap between digital history, theory and practice.
Projects explored digital archiving, fan
Digital Culture: Class Visit to IMAX 3-D
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Students from the undergraduate seminar in Digital Culture and Digital Cinema visited the IMAX Theater in the California Science Center across from the University of Southern California campus to screen “Deep Sea 3-D” and to discuss the digital technology involved in producing and exhibiting the
Digital Culture: Create a Digital Timeline
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Assignment #1: Create a timeline with brief annotations of what you consider the most important digital technologies and developments in your lifetime and why. This is not a PAPER, rather it is more like a creative schematic. You can use any digital tools (collage, cut and paste, Photoshop, etc.)
Digital Culture
September 1, 2006
Course Description: This seminar will examine how digital culture has influenced and expanded film and television history, theory and practice. Initially, the course will explore the differences between digital and analog content and situate these differences within a historical framework. The
Audio Culture 2006
January 1, 2006
The advertisement for THX sound tells us that “The audience is listening.” But what are we meant to be hearing? Is it the fidelity of the sound effects? The spectacle of multichannel surround sound? Or are we suppose to be considering how this new sound design is different from classical Hollywood
Gender, Sexuality and Media
August 25, 2005
Course Description: This course on Gender, Sexuality and Media is a critical overview of the history, theory, production and aesthetics associated with contemporary gay and lesbian film and television. The course will begin by addressing issues of representations (stereotypes and the “other”),
Adaptations
January 30, 2005
Course Description: This course is a critical overview of the history, theory and practice of adaptation. Traditionally, adaptation theory has been comparative (a novel vs. a film) and thus limited to arguments about authorship, intent and faithfulness to source material. But the complex exchanges
Speculative Cinema and Television
September 1, 2004
Course Description: Can you imagine the future? This seminar in film and television genres will focus on speculative narratives across film, television and new media. In the true “Wellsian” sense, the class will address issues of science, society, technology, culture, rationality and humanity (
Audio Culture 2004
January 30, 2004
The advertisement for THX sound tells us that “The audience is listening.” But what are we meant to be hearing? Is it the fidelity of the sound effects? The spectacle of multichannel surround sound? Or are we suppose to be considering how this new sound design is different from classical Hollywood
DVD of Class Projects
November 30, 2003
Following the completion of the course on Gender, Sexuality and Media, film students John Skandros (class of 2006), Christopher Lane (class of 2005), and Nicole Starosielski (class of 2005) re-mastered the final presentations for the class and created a DVD compilation from the course archives.
Gender, Sexuality and Media
September 1, 2003
Course Description: This course on Gender, Sexuality and Media is a critical overview of the history, theory, production and aesthetics associated with contemporary gay and lesbian film and television. The course will begin by addressing issues of representations (stereotypes and the “other”),
Audio Culture 2002
January 30, 2002
The advertisement for THX sound tells us that “The audience is listening.” But what are we meant to be hearing? Is it the fidelity of the sound effects? The spectacle of multichannel surround sound? Or are we suppose to be considering how this new sound design is different from classical Hollywood
History of American Sound Cinema
June 1, 2001
This graduate course traces the rich history of American Cinema from the coming of sound to the present. The critical approach for this course, which is topical and loosely chronological, explores the complex industrial, technological, social and cultural forces that have shaped Hollywood sound
Review the archives for past course descriptions and future course offerings as well as links to student projects and events.
