For Aaron Hattenbach '09, Prof. Jeffrey Abramson's (POL) seminar, "Topics in Law and Political Theory," was more than a required course for his major, a history of the jury system or the third class he took with Abramson.Hattenbach, a politics major, describes the course as "the best class I've taken at Brandeis." Abramson, he says, is the "reason why I'm considering going to law school" after graduation.

Looking back on the University seminar "American Autobiographies," she took with Prof. Jacqueline Jones (HIST) as a first-year, Suman Sridhar '09 says she didn't even recognize the remarkable improvement in her writing skills until the class had ended.

"It's really hard to take her class without growing as a student," Sridhar says.

Next semester, Abramson and Jones will leave Brandeis to take positions at the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Abramson will be teaching in the University of Texas School of Law, and Professor Jones will be teaching in the history department of the university. For many students, the married couple's departure represents the loss of two brilliant analytical minds with the ability to spark passionate curiosity.


An "electrifying" role model


Abramson joined the Brandeis politics department in 1979 after teaching for one year at Wellesley College while completing his Ph.D. thesis. While working at Wellesley, he met Jones, a history professor at the college.

Short and slight, with tufts of gray hair, Abramson speaks slowly, premeditating and then reflecting on each sentence. His air of intellectual experience comes through in almost every conversation.

Abramson describes his teaching career with the same awe and admiration that his students use when speaking about him. He says the most fulfilling moments in his teaching career involve experiencing students' revelations about the material they study. "Some of my favorite memories of teaching students over the years have to do with watching the light go on when they suddenly saw something new in their politics," Abramson said.

Suddenly, they're "engaged, paying attention," he explains.

Abramson says Brandeis students' dedication to their academic material has continued to impress him. Speaking of the impassioned students in his "Civil Liberties" course, Abramson says students "throw themselves into arguments" and are "hungry to read the material."

Nevertheless, Abramson admits he has helped many students recognize their tremendous intellectual potential. "Brandeis students are so much better than they themselves think they are," Abramson says. Showing his students just how much they can achieve "sometimes requires pushing them, criticizing them, showing them how good their work is," he says.

Abramson's enthusiasm and sincerity have made a profound impact on many of his students. Even years after graduating, Abramson's students remember his significant influence over their education.

"The class got me very charged for law school," says Cindy Schulman, now a lawyer in Cooper City, Fl.

For many students, Abramson's departure represents the loss of a valuable mentor.

"There's not that many teachers who can connect to students the way he does," says Eric Alterman '09, a politics major who also took "Topics in Law and Political Theory" last semester.

Throughout the semester, Alterman was especially impressed by the way in which Abramson pushed his students to examine the intricacies of the jury system. "[He challenged] our preconceptions," Alterman said. "He's not giving you the answers. He doesn't have them."

Hattenbach said he was appreciative of the opportunity to take a class with the "expert on the jury system," but expressed that Abramson was still highly receptive to students' comments. "It's amazing how [Abramson] respects student ideas," Hattenbach said.

Of Abramson's lectures in particular, Hattenbach said, "He was just electrifying."


Making a difference for every student


Jones began her teaching career at Brandeis in 1991 (a "newcomer," Abramson jests). She previously worked at Wellesley for 15 years. Jones, whose courses focus on American labor history and social history, exhibits a profound dedication to her students' ability to conceptualize and appreciate the material they study.

While describing her research and teaching careers, Jones maintains a genuine smile and warm, personal energy. One of her favorite parts about teaching, she says, is helping students apply what they learn about American history to their understanding of contemporary politics.

Jones says the moments that stand out most to her in her teaching career happen "when students are able to make connections between what has happened in the past and what is happening today."

The material she teaches about American history is especially important in light of Brandeis' commitment to social justice, Jones says. "Anyone who studies American history studies the issues of poverty, discrimination, oppression," she explains.

"It has been a privilege to teach at a University that makes social justice one of its core missions," Jones added in an e-mail to the Justice.

Jones' special focus is the experiences of women and African-Americans in American history. Shira Androphy '10, a history major and one of Jones' advisees, says Jones' teaching style introduces students to non-traditional perspectives on history. Androphy says that, during Jones' "History of the Confederacy," the class learned about the Civil War from the perspectives of women and slaves and discussed how the Civil War is reenacted in modern times.

Throughout her teaching career, Jones has demonstrated an interest in students' individual successes and recognizing students with exceptional potential. Since she began teaching at Brandeis, Jones has helped students apply for the Truman Fellowship, which is awarded to students with excellent academic records who plan to go into public service careers. The University grants students the scholarship for their senior years in college and for postgraduate education.

"[Serving on the University faculty nominating committee for the Truman Fellowship] is one of the opportunities professors have to make a difference, a real difference in an individual student's life," Jones says.

Many students remarked on Jones' sincerity and her efforts to get to know students on a personal basis. When Androphy participated in "American Autobiographies," she was able to establish a very personal relationship with Jones. "[Jones] always wanted to make sure we were comfortable around her," Androphy said.

When Sridhar bumped into Jones last semester, "she still remembered me. She took the time to get to know her students. She really cared about them."


A shared history


With an ironic smile, Abramson begins to describe how he met his wife over 30 years ago in the library at Wellesley College.

"We met at the card catalog" in the library, Jones adds with an enthusiastic grin.

Abramson said that after Jones arrived at Brandeis, it took some time for students to realize that they were married. Unaware that they were speaking to the esteemed professor's husband, students would come to Abramson and tell him about Jones' classes.

"I got nervous-someone's going to say something bad," Abramson said, glancing at his wife. "The kicker is they never did. It was always good."

When they begin discussing their teaching and research careers, Abramson and Jones compensate for each other's modesty by proudly announcing another honor or award the other has received. Abramson declares that his wife received the MacArthur Fellowship, or "Genius Grant," in 1999. Jones is quick to interject, "Professor Abramson is the Louis Stulberg Professor of Law and Politics." Abramson promptly responds that Jones was named the Truman Professor of American Civilization, and the two exchange a brief glance of endearing self-consciousness.


Preparing to leave


When the professors were first offered teaching opportunities at the University of Texas, they had never intended to leave Brandeis.

"We assumed we would die here," Jones jokes.

Nevertheless, both professors are excited by the teaching opportunities before them. Jones says she looks forward to teaching in a southern university, where the topics in her courses are at the core of the history curriculum. She asserts that Abramson's move to the University of Texas Law School is the "logical step" in his career.

As they prepare to relocate to Austin, Tex., Abramson and Jones reflect on their Brandeis teaching careers with a sense of satisfaction. Working at Brandeis has shown her "how great it is to teach energetic and committed students," Jones says, nodding her head for effect. They "make teaching every day an exciting adventure," she says.