Description of this course
The Sound of Communication is a two-day summer school course that investigates the role of sound in human and non-human communication. From spoken words to music and animal calls, sound shapes the way we express, perceive, and connect. This course offers an interdisciplinary journey through the science of sound and its communicative power.
Course topics
The course is structured over two full days, with each half-day dedicated to a different topic:
- The Psychology of Music: Explore how music affects emotion, memory, and social bonding.
- Bird Communication: Learn how birds use sound for mating, territory marking, and group coordination.
- ASMR and Auditory Perception: Discover the mechanisms behind sensory responses to sound.
- Sound in Human Interaction: Analyze how tone, rhythm, and vocal signals influence everyday conversations.
Each session will consist of a lecture by an expert guest speaker, followed by an interactive workshop or hands-on assignment.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain how sound contributes to meaning-making in both human and animal communication.
- Identify psychological and neurological mechanisms involved in auditory processing.
- Critically evaluate the role of sound in media, technology, and daily interactions.
- Apply interdisciplinary perspectives (e.g. linguistics, psychology, biology) to sound-related phenomena.
Assessment
The course consists of four short assignments: one per topic. Each assignment will be introduced and guided by the guest lecturer and carried out during the workshop sessions. Assignments are interactive, creative, and designed to encourage reflection and participation. To pass the course, participants must receive at least a 5.5 for each individual assignment.
What we expect from you
Active engagement and a curious mindset are key. We expect all participants to attend the full program, contribute thoughtfully to discussions and workshops, and complete the in-course assignments with care. This is a compact and immersive experience designed for students who are eager to learn and explore the fascinating world of sound in communication.