Dr. Bruce Wells

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Bruce Wells. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Bruce Wells specializes in the study of the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. His scholarship focuses on legal ideas and traditions within the Pentateuch, exploring various aspects of the legal system and culture during the Neo-Babylonian period. He has published extensively on texts and practices related to litigation, marriage and divorce, sexual relations, slavery, and judicial authority, delving into the nature of biblical and ancient Near Eastern law. His research primarily centers on legal documents such as trial records and contracts, as well as economic and administrative records, which provide crucial insights into the intellectual and cultural environment of biblical authors. Published works include 'Law Testimony Pentateuchal Codes' (2004) and 'Everyday Law Biblical Israel' (2009), co-authored with Raymond Westbrook, along with 'Fault, Responsibility, Administrative Law Late Babylonian Legal Texts' (2019), co-authored with F. Rachel Magdalene Cornelia Wunsch. He is also the editor of the forthcoming 'Cambridge Companion Law Hebrew Bible' (2024).

Research Interests

Courses

MEL 380C • Akkadian IV HEB 380C • Bible Hebrew R S 353M • Debating Genesis MES 342 • Debating Genesis MEL 383D • Exegetical Semnr: Hebrew Bible J S 363 • Debating Genesis MES 342 • Law/Justice Bible CTI 354L • Law/Justice Bible J S 363 • Law/Justice Bible R S 353K • Law/Justice Bible CTI 305G • Intro Old Testament R S 313C • Intro Old Testament MES 310C • Intro Old Testament MEL 380C • Akkadian III J S 311 • Intro Old Testament MEL 383C • Current Issues Hebrew Bible AHC 310 • Ancient Middle East MES 301J • Ancient Middle East

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.