NMDS
5563

Sonic Narratives

Schools of Public Engagement: Media

Non-Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Graduate Course
Degree Students
Projects: Sonic Narratives
Spring 2026
Taught By: Joan Schuman
Section: A

CRN: 16655

Credits: 3

"In this studio course, students explore the process and possibilities of creatively working with audio material including spoken interviews, narration, and field recordings. Along the way we explore the ‘where-to’ of audio-centered broadcast realms including podcasts, YouTube channels, audiobook originals, and live audio festivals (akin to independent cinema) that have grown out of the radio foundation of the last century. By critically listening to sound-rich storytellers across media, students discern how form, content, theories of narrativity, and platform destination might shape their own work. Examples are largely drawn from alternative sonic spaces including experiments in terrestrial radio, streaming and or pop-up listening realms, and lo-fi renegade broadcasts. Throughout the semester, students work towards a final audio project, engaging in regular peer/instructor-based critiques. The class is designed for those with basic audio production skills and access to some audio tools (on-site at The New School labs or via their own computer/audio set-up). *Please note that this course was previously titled Radio Experiments. If you have previously taken Radio Experiments, you should not enroll in this course.

Open to: all Graduate Students. Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors with permission from the program. Pre-Requisite: Media Design (NMDS 5008) or equivalent knowledge.
Prerequisites: No Prerequisites
Co-Requisites: No Co-requisites

College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)

Department: Media (MED)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Studio (S)

Modality: Online - Synchronous

Max Enrollment: 15

Repeat Limit: N/A

Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Open*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 9:18pm EDT 10/17/2025

Meeting Info:
Days: Thursday
Times: 4:00pm - 6:40pm
Building: Online Course
Room: 999
Date Range: 1/21/2026 - 5/12/2026