Sabbatical – Studying Religion in Culture

Sabbatical Publications from Prof. Jacobs’ Desk

April 13, 2022 by Steven Jacobs

“Of the making of many books there is no end, and much study is a wearying of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12) So says the unknown author of Sefer Kohelet/the Book of Ecclesiastes, though both the Jewish and Christian religious traditions attribute it to Melekh Shlomo/King Solomon in his old age. (They also attribute, without evidence, Shir Ha-Shirim/Song of Songs to his youthful exuberance, and Sefer Mishlei/the Book of Proverbs, again without evidence, to his middle years. Further complicating this picture, various […]

Third Time’s the Charm

July 3, 2021 by Steven Jacobs

Prof. Steve Jacobs, above, in April of 2017 at the annual Arts & Science reception at the University Club, for newly promoted faculty — celebrating his promotion that year to Full Professor. Since starting full-time at UA in 2001 (my “start date” is easy to remember: 1/1/01), past A&S Dean Robert Olin and current Dean Joseph Messina have accorded me three one-semester sabbatical research leaves to pursue avenues of research in my areas of academic specialization: the Holocaust of World […]

What’s a Sabbatical?

August 20, 2020 by Michael Altman

I have the good fortune to have been granted a sabbatical this semester. But what does that mean? What should I do? I looked up the word “sabbatical” in the Oxford English Dictionary and found a number of definitions. […]

Making Sense of a Sabbatical

December 6, 2016 by Merinda Simmons

In my Introduction to Religious Studies course, my students think a lot about “making the strange familiar and familiar strange.” With those lessons in mind, I thought I’d make a bit more familiar for students who won’t see me as much in the Spring a practice that happens within the academy—the sabbatical. After being awarded tenure (typically in year 5 or 6), professors can apply for a sabbatical by outlining a specific research project that would benefit from some time […]

Second Sabbatical: First Thoughts

January 7, 2015 by Steven Jacobs

For those other than academic colleagues—primarily our students and our non-academic supporters—a sabbatical is a special benefit every seven years, upon application and approval, awarded to those of us who teach, for “time off” to purse sustained research and sustained writing without the additional responsibilities of teaching, grading, committee meetings and the like. In my case, spring, 2015, is my second opportunity to take full advantage of this award to pursue two special projects, the first on my mind for […]

AAR, Take Two

December 6, 2013 by Andie Alexander

Prof. Ted Trost, who is currently on sabbatical at Leeds University in Leeds, England, met up with us at the AAR to talk about what he’s doing during his year abroad. To find out more about sabbaticals and Prof. Trost’s work, take a look at the latest video from the AAR. And stay tuned for Part III… AAR 2013: Talking Sabbaticals with Prof. Trost from UA Religious Studies. […]