Dr.
David Phillips
2001
Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient
Dr.
David Phillips came to Charleston Southern in 1996. Originally
from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, he received his B.A. in
English from the University of California, Santa Cruz;
his master’s degree from the University of Missouri;
and his doctorate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
He has instructed at the University of Missouri, UNLV,
Clark City Community College in Nevada, and Embry Riddle
Aeronautical Institution, also in Nevada.
When
he came for his interview at CSU in May 1996, he was impressed
with the friendliness and openness of the faculty. The
people of CSU are one of the reasons he decided to accept
the job, and he has found he enjoys getting to know the
students and building relationships with them.
Dr.
Phillips uses several methods in the classroom to provoke
interest in the subject and enhance class discussions.
In his English 112 and Shakespeare classes, he has the
students put on performances. In the English 112 class,
they usually act out scenes from Oedipus Rex. In
Shakespeare, the performances are from sections of various
plays. The students divide into groups and adapt the scenes
in different ways, using costumes and props. Though they
can change the dialogue, they are not allowed to stray
away from the actual meaning of the play. In upper level
classes, which are usually smaller, he has the students
form a circle with the desks, which helps promote discussions
and keeps the class from feeling like a lecture.
Dr.
Phillips does not take any credit for his teaching excellence,
but attributes it all to good role models. His first Shakespeare
professor was Dr. Denny Berthiaume, an English instructor
at Foothill College. Though Shakespeare studies were not
Dr. Berthiaume’s specialty, he was energetic and elicited
excitement in the subject. At UNLV, Dr. Phillips’ dissertation
director was Dr. Evelyn Gajowski. She was the one who introduced
him to the practice of performances and forming circles.
When
asked about any hobbies or talents, Dr. Phillips shrugged.
Other than cooking, he sings tenor in the church choir
and bass/baritone with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Gospel Choir. Though he does not collect them, Dr. Phillips
is also interested in model trains. He has model trains
from the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s that
were his grandfather’s, and then his father’s.
Dr. Phillips is also on the Church Council of the Circular
Church, where he sings in the choir.
