معرفی
James Watts is a Full Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Traditions in Syracuse University's Department of Religion (College of Arts and Sciences). He holds the William P. Tolley Professorship in the Humanities and has served as Department Chair and director of multiple academic initiatives. His research focuses on biblical rhetoric, ritual theory, and the functions of iconic texts across cultures. Watts earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible Studies from Yale University (1990), preceded by degrees from Southern Seminary and Pomona College.
Key research projects include the 'Iconic Books Project' and a Käte Hamburger Kolleg fellowship (2015–2016) investigating sacred texts' sensory engagement. His scholarship analyzes Leviticus, ancient Near Eastern religious practices, and the social impact of scriptures. Watts teaches courses on biblical studies, ancient religions, and comparative scriptures, guiding graduate research in textual practices and rituals.
Publications include monographs on Leviticus, ritual theory, and iconic texts, along with over 50 articles. His work bridges biblical studies with cognitive science, media theory, and critical race studies. Watts currently leads the Equinox book series on iconic and performative texts and chairs the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (SCRIPT).
