For this assignment you will research, write, and record what I am calling an audio essay based on field study at a “natural” site somewhere in or around the City of Austin.
I am open to challenging ideas about what places are defined as “natural”—a shopping mall parking lot?
If you are traveling somewhere outside of Central Texas—your family’s ranch, for example—then I am open to you working outside of the surrounding area. But remember that you need not go far for this assignment; St. Stephen’s has 400 acres of largely undeveloped land with lake front for your to explore.
- First, you need to think of a place that might be interesting to visit and write about.
- Next, you will visit your chosen site and observe, taking field notes and collecting audio data.
- Then, you will compose a brief essay on your chosen place based on your field notes and any additional research that is helpful.
- Finally, you will mix a recording of this essay with audio or visual data captured at the site you are writing about.
Your essay should not simply be a tour guide to your chosen site, though some basic physical description, and even historical background should be included. Indeed, your essay should evoke this place for your listener—transport them there through your writing/recording.
But you should still think about this essay as making an argument about the significance of the place. What does this place mean to you and to others?
The most difficult part of this assignment will be the editing of your audio essay, because this is a technical skill that many of you will have little to no experience with. Time will be devoted in class to an introductory tutorial on the free sound editing program, Audacity, as well as workshop time for groups to record and edit their “podcasts.”
The most basic fulfillment of the assignment might be a reading of your essay with a simple audio quote of sound captured at your site or a reading of your essay over a slide show of still photographs of the site.
The most basic fulfillment of the assignment might be a reading of your essay with a simple audio quote of sound captured at your site or a reading of your essay over a slide show of still photographs of the site.
Mixing in musical intros or interludes will only make your presentation more professional.
Podcasts due Friday, February 10th. (Note that this is a few days after we return from Mid-Winter Long Weekend, so you’ll want to complete much of the work before then.)
