James W. Watts

James W. Watts is a Professor of Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern textual traditions in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. He has been at Syracuse since 1999, serving as Chair of the Department of Religion from 2009-2015 and as William P. Tolley Professor in the Humanities from 2011-2013. Watts also served as Visiting Research Fellow at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg, Ruhr Universität Bochum from 2015-2016.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament from Yale University (1990)
• M.Div. and Th.M. in New Testament from Southern Seminary (1985-1986)
• B.A. in Philosophy from Pomona College (1982)

Watts specializes in the literature and religion of the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Pentateuch, sacrifice, law, and narrative genres. His research explores ancient Near Eastern religious rhetoric, ritual theory, comparative scriptures, and iconic books. His work bridges textual analysis with ritual studies, examining how sacred texts function as physical objects within religious communities and how they acquire iconic status across cultures.

His recent publications reveal a growing focus on the materiality of scripture, ritual performance, and the social power of sacred texts. Watts has increasingly examined how biblical texts, particularly Leviticus, have been used to construct social boundaries related to race, diet, and purity. His work connects ancient textual traditions with contemporary issues of social justice, censorship, and religious authority in digital contexts.

Among his notable achievements:

• William P. Tolley Professor in the Humanities (2011-2013)
• Secretary-Treasurer of The Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (2010-present)
• Editor of the Equinox book series, Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (2017-present)
• Chair of the Pentateuch Section of the Society of Biblical Literature (1998-2003)

Watts has directed graduate studies in the Department of Religion (2006-2009, 2023-2025) and undergraduate studies (2000-2004). He has supervised numerous student research projects on iconic books, biblical ritual texts, normative texts, and scripturalization. His academic leadership extends to the Renée Crown Honors Program and the SU Humanities Council.

Watts leads the Iconic Books Project, which analyzes the functions of scriptures in cross-cultural and trans-historical perspectives. This project has developed into the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (SCRIPT), of which he serves as Secretary-Treasure. His work continues to explore the relationship between textual practices, ritual performance, and the social power of sacred texts.