By Jessica Zech Student Writer Barry Shank, professor of American studies, cultural theory and popular music at the Ohio State University, presented his research at USC Annenberg on how listening to music can transform what people consider political voices. Shank explained that music makes people aware of social patterns, encourages them to sharpen their perception of the world and makes people aware that they are not solitary beings. "The experience of musical beauty changes our sense of right relations, our sense of what kinds of things go together," said Shank. He defined aural imaginary as a figurative place where listeners engage in an imaginary and often emotional relationship with someone because of sound. The aural imaginary is why exotic music can sound familiar to people. Shark said the band Tinariwen, which was formed in Libyan refugee camps, "extends musical invitations to strangers" through communal sounds like guitar. Political voices emerge from the rearrangement of this familiar sound. Shank's visit was part of the ongoing Annenberg Research Seminar series. The next seminar is Oct. 15, when University of Michigan professor Susan Douglas visits to speak about "How Did Media Studies Happen? Exploring the Origins of the Field."