Brandeis Graduate Student Instructors
Since fall 2013, BOLLI has been engaging Brandeis graduate students to lead lecture series and study groups.
These instructors and study groups have brought BOLLI members countless hours of stimulation and pleasure, bringing scholarship and teaching prowess in American history, classical music, world literature and more. Our graduate instructors have infused our study group curriculum with their learning, bringing us courses in the history of climate change, "Moby Dick" and Leonard Bernstein, among many other courses.
In turn, BOLLI Instructors have gained knowledge, understanding and experience of inestimable value to them as developing scholars and teachers. BOLLI Instructors are sought after and won in a demanding process that ultimately benefits both the curriculum and the scholar-teacher.
Apply To be a bolli instructorBOLLI is grateful to count these talented individuals as part of its Brandeis community.
PhD candidate in the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis
PhD student in Neuroscience Department, Brandeis University
Program of Study: Anthropology, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
"Leading a BOLLI course is a unique opportunity. The vibrancy and intellectual curiosity of the BOLLI community has reinforced my passion for both teaching and learning."
Program of Study: Neuroscience, PhD
Program of Study: Bible and Ancient Near East/Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, PhD
Program of Study: Bible and Ancient Near East, PhD
"I am grateful to have gained great experience in guiding discussion and course-design advice about staying focused on my core teaching goals."
Program of Study: Biochemistry, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
Program of Study: Politics, PhD
"While I initially came to BOLLI to build my teaching CV, I was delighted from the very first class to discover how meaningful the teaching was. I learned much more than I could have imagined at the start. My class members were smart and unfailingly eager to learn! To top it off, they truly appreciated what I brought to the table — I recommend applying for a BOLLI Lectureship."
Program of Study: Russian History, PhD
Program of Study: Sociology, PhD
Program of Study: Musicology, PhD
Program of Study: Neuroscience, PhD
Program of Study: Psychology, PhD
Program of Study: Philosophy, MA
Program of Study: English, PhD
"BOLLI has been an invaluable experience in rethinking my teaching in order to speak to broader audiences. I have grown as an instructor as I have found a group of people with insightful views on a wide variety of humanistic subjects in relation to cultural products like literature, theater and film. BOLLI participants are always curious and eager to keep lively conversations going."
Program of Study: Irving and Rose Crown Fellow, Department of History
Program of Study: Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, PhD
"Teaching at BOLLI was my first experience of teaching a full course in English. It was also the first time I taught adult learners. This experience instilled in me the confidence to teach and facilitate discussion...[additionally] crafting a syllabus from scratch taught me a lot about the historiography of my field. The director helped me with designing the syllabus and provided very helpful pedagogical and methodological guidance."
Program of Study: Musicology, PhD
"Being part of the BOLLI community is one of the highlights of being a Brandeis graduate student. Working within the BOLLI community improves many aspects of my academic life: teaching, course design, discussing musicological issues, public speaking, answering difficult questions and having fun in the process, of course!"
Program of Study: Musicology, PhD
"With their erudition, enthusiasm, and curiosity, members of the BOLLI community make it easy to have great classes and deep discussions. Teaching at BOLLI is truly a luxury."
Program of Study: English, PhD
"Teaching at BOLLI is truly a pleasure — BOLLI is a very rewarding environment for a teacher."
Program of Study: History, PhD
"This has been an extremely valuable experience for me... my favorite parts include BOLLI members' passion for learning!"
Program of Study: History, PhD
"My time as a BOLLI Study Group Leader... helped me define my style and philosophy as an educator in a compassionate, intellectually stimulating environment... BOLLI is the single best thing a Brandeis graduate student could do for their teaching portfolio... "
Program of Study: Molecular & Cell Biology
Program of Study: History, PhD
Program of Study: Musicology, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
Program of Study: Neuroscience, PhD
Program of Study: English, PhD
Program of Study: English, PhD
Program of Study: English, PhD
Program of Study: Music Composition and Theory, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
Program of Study: English, Victorian Literature, PhD
Program of Study: American History, PhD
Program of Study: Neuroscience
"We both learned a lot through teaching this course and enjoyed our time with the learners..."
Program of Study: English, PhD
Program of Study: English, PhD
Program of Study: Anthropology, PhD
Program of Study: Musicology, PhD
Program of Study: Psychology, PhD
Program of Study: History, PhD
"BOLLI provided me an invaluable experience to refine the craft of teaching and build a long-term relationship with a world-class community of thinkers, artists, and engaged citizens... BOLLI members have been my best students... I became a better teacher because of my time at BOLLI... Anyone who has the chance to teach at BOLLI should jump at the opportunity."
Program of Study: Near Eastern & Judaic Studies, PhD
Program of Study: Sociology and Social Policy, PhD