Sam Boyd researches the Bible through various critical methods and in light of wider historical contexts to understand both the production of these documents as well as their history of interpretation. His particular areas of research include the development of the Pentateuch, legal hermeneutics in the ancient Near East, language ideology in the ancient world, and ritual theory applied to biblical texts. He also has interests in archaeology, Semitic philology and linguistics, and Late Antiquity (Rabbinic biblical interpretation, Ethiopic Christianity, and the advent of Islam).
keywords
bible, hebrew bible, old testament, new testament, early judaism, early christianity, ancient near east, archaeology, semitic linguistics, philology, eastern syriac christianity, ethiopic christianity
JWST 1900 - Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Examine the content of the Hebrew Bible and critical theories regarding its development. Explore the development of these texts, as well as their foundational role for rabbinic literature and the New Testament. Assess the enduring influence of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in world literature and culture (such as in art and music). Same as RLST 1900.
JWST 2600 - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: Abrahamic Religions
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2018 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Abraham is described as a founding figure. In recent times, the label �Abrahamic Religions� has become increasingly important both as a way to describe the origins and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and as a means for finding common ground in political and religious discourse. Yet in each religion Abraham is also used in strikingly different ways and for distinct purposes. In this course, we will look at these three religious traditions and how each one imagines Abraham. In particular, the focus will be on how each religion uses Abraham to construct foundational stories of a special relationship to God, stories that ultimately serve to promote religious identity over time. Same as RLST 2600.
JWST 3100 - Judaism
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Explores Jewish religious experience and its expression in thought, ritual, ethics, and social institutions. Same as RLST 3100.
JWST 3150 - Jerusalem: The Holy City in History, Legend, and Religious Thought
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
The history of Jerusalem and the stories that have given it prominence in the religious imagination continue to shape much of the world in which we live. In this class, we will survey approximately three millennia of the history of the city. We will ask methodological question, such as: What does it mean for a place to be conceived of as holy? How does this perceived holiness come about? What happens when holy places are destroyed and rebuilt? We will examine the biblical stories about Jerusalem not only as important sources themselves, but also for how they shape later religious traditions, specifically Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As such, we will address what it means for the same place to be perceived as �holy� by differing, and often competing, groups. These contestations regarding Jerusalem will, then, allow us to engage issues of religious diversity and conflict both historically and in the present. Same as RLST 3150.
RLST 1900 - Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Examine the content of the Hebrew Bible and critical theories regarding its development. Explore the development of these texts, as well as their foundational role for rabbinic literature and the New Testament. Assess the enduring influence of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in world literature and culture (such as in art and music). Same as JWST 1900.
RLST 2600 - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: Abrahamic Religions
Primary Instructor
-
Summer 2018 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Abraham is described as a founding figure. In recent times, the label �Abrahamic Religions� has become increasingly important both as a way to describe the origins and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and as a means for finding common ground in political and religious discourse. Yet in each religion Abraham is also used in strikingly different ways and for distinct purposes. In this course, we will look at these three religious traditions and how each one imagines Abraham. In particular, the focus will be on how each religion uses Abraham to construct foundational stories of a special relationship to God, stories that ultimately serve to promote religious identity over time. Same as JWST 2600.
RLST 3100 - Judaism
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Explores Jewish religious experience and its expression in thought, ritual, ethics, and social institutions. Same as JWST 3100.
RLST 3150 - Jerusalem: The Holy City in History, Legend, and Religious Thought
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
The history of Jerusalem and the stories that have given it prominence in the religious imagination continue to shape much of the world in which we live. In this class, we will survey approximately three millennia of the history of the city. We will ask methodological question, such as: What does it mean for a place to be conceived of as holy? How does this perceived holiness come about? What happens when holy places are destroyed and rebuilt? We will examine the biblical stories about Jerusalem not only as important sources themselves, but also for how they shape later religious traditions, specifically Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As such, we will address what it means for the same place to be perceived as �holy� by differing, and often competing, groups. These contestations regarding Jerusalem will, then, allow us to engage issues of religious diversity and conflict both historically and in the present. Same as JWST 3150.
RLST 4820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar on Religion
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020
Variable topics in religion, drawing from a variety of disciplines and methodologies as they shed light on specific traditions and issues. Recommended requisite: 6 credit hours of religious studies at any level or instructor consent. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours as topics change. Same as RLST 5820.
RLST 4830 - Senior Majors Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Topics and instructors vary. Brings advanced majors together in order to focus their major experience onsignificant topics and issues of common interest.
RLST 5820 - Interdisciplinary Seminar on Religion
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2020
Variable topics in religion, drawing from a variety of disciplines and methodologies as they shed light on specific traditions and issues. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours as topics change. Same as RLST 4820.
RLST 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Summer 2021
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
