Phyllis Deutsch

Phyllis Deutsch holds a PhD in modern European history from New York University. For several years, she taught history at NYU, Columbia University,The New School for Social Research, and the University of Pennsylvania. For 15 years, she served as editor-in-chief at University Press of New England, where she published numerous titles in the fields of 19th century history, literature, and culture. She is currently a Lecturer in the Writing Program at Dartmouth College.

Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles (Summer Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials: 

Content to come.

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (Spring Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials:

I have so enjoyed this class. I can't think of anything to improve the course.

Probably better than any Osher professor I've taken; not one glitch.

Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native (Spring Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials: 

This is probably my 4th course with Phyllis. She continues to deliver in-depth and provocative approaches to the novel in question.

Phyllis is a great teacher, supremely knowledgeable about the period, Hardy and the book. She is deft at leading a discussion that draws everyone into the topic.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens (Fall Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

Phyllis's power points help me to visualize historical concepts. The abstract becomes real. A significant aid in the learning experience.

Zoom works surprisingly well in Phyllis's hands. I feel as engaged, or maybe more so, than in person.

Atonement, by Ian McEwan (Fall Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

Always understated -- we covered every possible angle with a superb professor and highly prepared and engaged fellow students

The pace was well thought out. The emailed prompts prior to class allowed us to think more deeply about common topics prior to class which resulted in a rich discussion amongst class members.

Don Quixote Part 1 and Part 2 (Spring Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

Phyllis is always well prepared. She sends out written prompts along with the assignment for each class.

There was an amazing amount of discussion. Really enjoyed the power points, in fact would have liked more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Fall Term 2022) 

Participant Testimonials:

One of Professor Deutsch's strengths is her research prior to and throughout her courses; she brings in history, including family trees and political context, as well as the impact of geography.

Phyllis knows so much about the culture, the politics, the economy. She has a way of shaping her point of view, that inspires a quest for further information and thought.

Our Mutual Friend (Spring Term 2022)

Participant Testimonials:

Fantastic course. Well-organized. Quality discussions. Appropriate supplemental materials provided.

Excellent course with an excellent study leader. Great fun. Thank you.