ZDK_09 Sound studies I

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Jozef Cseres, PhD. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Jozef Cseres, PhD.
Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Ing. Alena Albíniová
Supplier department: Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
knowledge of the English;
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
Sound studies is a modern interdisciplinary project with aim to grasp and explain the function of sound in human communication and culture in general. Sound studies therefore utilizes and combines the knowledge, attitudes and methods of various disciplines, as cultural anthropology, psychology, semiotics, acoustics, musicology, and last but not least also philosophy and aesthetics. 1-semestral course “Sound studies I” offers the historical overview of philosophical-aesthetical reflection of sound representation since ancient times till today with emphasis to use of sounds in arts. The course includes also the interdisciplinary topics, such as sonology, aural history and acoustic ecology.
Learning outcomes
One-semestral course “Sound studies I.” offers the historical overview of philosophical-aesthetical reflection of sound representation since ancient times till today with emphasis to use of sounds in arts. The course includes also the interdisciplinary topics, such as sonology, aural history and acoustic ecology.
Key topics
  • Synopsis:
  • 1. Introduction to the sound studies;
  • 2. Philosophical-aesthetical reflection of sound representation in historical overview (semiotics, Jacques Attali);
  • 3. Audio-visuals as a natural consequence of spatial-temporal experience (relations of sound to time, space, movement and human body and perception);
  • 4. Aesthetics of performing arts;
  • 5. Musical and non-musical sounds;
  • 6. Noise aesthetics of the Futurists;
  • 7. John Cage: Art of listening and extended sound-making;
  • 8. Conceptualization of sound in the avant-garde arts;
  • 9. Sound in modern and intermedia and multimedia;
  • 10. Sound art as a natural phase in modern art development;
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • ATTALI, Jacques. Noise : the political economy of music. Edited by Susan McClary - Fredric Jameson, Translated by Brian Massumi. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1985, xiv, 179. ISBN 9780816612864. info
  • CSERES, Jozef (ed.). Antologie textů k zvukovým studiím. ÚHV FF MU, Brno, 2019.
  • COX, Christoph – WARNER, Daniel. Audiokultúra: Texty o modernej hudbe. Bratislava: Hudobné centrum, 2013.
    recommended literature
  • CSERES, Jozef. Hudobné simulakrá. Hudobné centrum, Bratislava, 2001.
  • CAGE, John. Silence. Praha: Tranzit, 2010.
  • VOEGELIN, Salomé. Listening to noise and silence : towards a philosophy of sound art. New York: Continuum, 2011, xvii, 231. ISBN 9781441126436. info
  • Od analógového k digitálnemu-- : nové pohľady na umenia v audiovizuálnom veku. Edited by Jozef Cseres - Michal Murin. Banská Bystrica: Fakulta výtvarných umení, Akadémia umení, 2010, 219 s. ISBN 9788089078783. info
  • DELEUZE, Gilles and Félix GUATTARI. Tisíc plošin. Translated by Marie Caruccio Caporale. Vydání první. Praha: Herrmann & Synové, 2010, 585 stran. ISBN 9788087054253. info
  • LABELLE, Brandon. Background noise : perspectives on sound art. 1st pub. New York: Continuum, 2006, xviii, 314. ISBN 0826418449. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, discussions
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
essay;
Alternate completion
not possible;
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/phil/podzim2026/ZDK_09/index.qwarp
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught in blocks.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
In the combined form of study there will be a continuous evaluation of acquired knowledge in the form of tests. Study preparation for the tests will take the form of self-study (see study materials) with the possibility of consultation.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2026/ZDK_09