Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: AN ATMOSPHERE OF OPENING: DEEP LISTENING, PAULINE OLIVEROS, AND YOU (HANSZEN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Beset by political and personal turmoil, the composer Pauline Oliveros retreated inward in the late 1960’s to develop listening techniques she called “Deep Listening” before returning to her public life as a composer. These techniques would become foundational to her musical life and the way she interacted with other people. What is it like to live with a listening practice that clears room for more than just our immediate goals? With no exams, this course will employ close readings of semi-improvisitory group exercises by Oliveros and solitary listening to explore the learned art of listening as both a social phenomenon and an individual journey, with an understanding of the many roles listening can play: a necessary pause before action, a blueprint for meaningful social interaction, a path toward healing. NO PRIOR MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY