Sharks and songs keep Tar Heels busy this summer

Split image: on the left, two students play acoustic guitars and sing on a stage under colorful stage lights; on the right, two students in Carolina blue sun shirts hold a shark over the side of a research vessel on a bright, sunny day. — I hope students take away a more intense appreciation for the conceptual challenges and fun that are involved with attempting field experiments," said Joel Fodrie, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and professor in the Earth, marine and environmental sciences department. (Submitted photo)

Not all Tar Heels head home for the summer. Many students are taking Maymester or summer session classes. The Well caught up with two faculty members in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences to talk about summer classes they’re teaching, one here in Chapel Hill and one at the coast.

ENGL 409: Lyrics and Lyricists

Taught by adjunct professor Kelly Pratt in the English and comparative literature department

What is the focus of ENGL 409?

This course is a workshop, a collaborative exploration of the forms and processes of lyric writing for popular songs, requiring numerous lyric drafts written to existing musical models.

Three students stand at microphones on a stage under colored stage lights; the student on the left stands beside a music stand, the student in the center sings into a microphone, and the student on the right plays a keyboard.

Students in the ENGL 409 course have the opportunity to perform an original song at the Cat’s Cradle at their end of term showcase. (Submitted photo)

What do students learn?

Students will learn about the history of songwriting, study lyrics from legendary songwriters and compose lyrics in collaborative groups and on their own. We will refine many skills needed to compose effective lyrics including authenticity, sensory writing, metaphor, repetition, rhyme schemes and limiting clichés. Near the end of the term, we get together to record songs that were written for the class and, in some terms, play a show at the Cat’s Cradle.

View from a recording booth control room looking through glass into a live room, where four students and an instructor gather around a piano; two computer screens in the foreground display audio production software.

Students get hands on experience recording an original song in a professional studio space. (Submitted photo)

What is your favorite part?

I love seeing students with no musical or lyrical experience compose a truly great song. Also, watching students grasp the meaning of a particularly difficult lyric or watching students work together to improve each other’s writing. Previous students have often surprised themselves when they realize they have a talent for lyric writing despite having no experience.

What do you hope students take away?

I hope students come away with a greater appreciation for lyrics, an aptitude for lyrical analysis and the ability to craft original and effective lyrics on their own. And. of course, have fun!

EMES 89: Shark Ecology and Conservation

Taught by Joel Fodrie, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and professor in the Earth, marine and environmental sciences department

What is the focus of EMES 89?

This course is based at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City. It provides a foundational introduction regarding the biology, ecology and conservation science of sharks. We also look at “ecosystem roles” of sharks within coastal marine habitats such as salt marshes, oyster reefs, seagrass meadows and beaches. Although focused on sharks, this seminar also highlights the interdisciplinary links among marine life sciences, coastal ocean processes and management.

Three students lean over a tray on the rail of a research vessel to examine a sample.

Students in EMES 89 examine a collected samples from their shark survey cruise offered through the Institute of Marine Sciences. (Submitted photo)

What do students learn?

We give several lectures to introduce students to basic concepts related to shark biology and ecology, but we base this course at IMS to take full advantage of the outdoor, natural laboratory. Students have hands-on experiences like shark dissections, participation in IMS’ long-term shark survey, with multiple all-day trips out into the coastal ocean and behind-the-scenes looks at the conservation efforts of North Carolina Aquariums.

Three people stand on the deck of a research vessel as equipment is lowered over the side on a chain; seagulls fly overhead and the ocean stretches to the horizon behind them.

Instructors assist students in the use of equipment to gather samples while on the ocean. (Submitted photo)

What is your favorite part?

Getting students out on the water to learn in a very hands-on manner. Since this is a first-year seminar, this course is also the first research-intensive experience these new students will have, both in terms of exploring the peer-reviewed scientific literature as well as participating in the IMS’ long-term shark survey cruises.

What do you hope students take away?

I hope students take away a more intense appreciation for the conceptual challenges and fun that are involved with attempting field experiments or studies in the marine realm. Finally, I hope students exit this course more willing and confident to participate in discussions related to how we may choose to value and manage coastal ecosystems in the decades ahead.