A. General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to:

1. To foster the continued development of research and writing skills in the area of biblical and theological studies.
2. To contribute to the body of biblical and theological knowledge and literature.
3. To assist the student in developing a personal hermeneutical and exegetical position to be used in acquiring a comprehensive understanding of Old and New Testament content.
4. To develop an understanding of the philosophical foundations for theological reflection.
5. To prepare the student for the teaching enterprise, whether in the educational ministry of the church or in the context of the academy at large.
6. To prepare the student to engage in more advanced degrees, including doctoral studies.
7. To integrate faith and learning in such a way as to develop the individual in mind and spirit in order to enhance the students own spiritual development and also that of the body of Christ.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:

1. Analyze biblical and theological writings at a level commensurate with other graduate students in religion programs.
2. Produce written work that portrays a knowledge of primary and secondary literature in the discipline.
3. Compare and contrast the various hermeneutical options for biblical exegesis.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical foundations for biblical and theological reflection.
5. Provide evidence of analytical and critical skills which are prerequisites to further graduate studies in the bible or theology.
6. Demonstrate a rudimentary capacity for a specified language for biblical or theological research where required (primarily Greek, Hebrew, or German).
7. Integrate Pentecostal faith and experience with doctrinal reflection.
8. Articulate the thought of contemporary theologians.
   

• January: In conversation with the chosen reader, the student will prepare a formal thesis proposal to be submitted to the MABTS Committee for its consideration. This proposal must contain:
      I. a succinct thesis statement;
      II. a precise statement of the problem the thesis will tackle;
      III. an outline detailing the structure of the thesis argumentation;
  After the faculty reader has agreed to the proposal, s/he will present the formal thesis proposal to the MABTS Committee, who will approve the proposal as is or approve with the required emendation. Once the proposal has been approved by the MAPCT committee the student must enroll in the thesis writing course.
• February: An outline bibliography that must have a minimum of 35 pertinent primary and secondary sources for a biblical/theological thesis.
• March: The student will write his/her thesis under the direction of the faculty reader, and will submit a completed chapter directly to that reader, who will evaluate it and return it with suggestions and corrections.
• April: The thesis rough draft should be submitted and the reader will outline corrections and make suggestions for improvement.
• May: A final version of your complete thesis must be submitted to the tutor by May 31st. After the thesis has been passed by the tutor a faculty reader will also grade it.
• June: By June 30th the student will complete any remaining edits/corrections and submit two bound copies to ETS, with an electronic copy sent to Lee.
  

Textbook:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, sixth ed. Revised by John Grossman and Alice Bennett. London: The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., 1996.

Reading List:
Oliver, Paul. Writing your Thesis, 3rd Ed. Newcastle upon Tyne: Sage, 2013.
Paltridge, Brian, Sue Starfield. Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: A Handbook for Supervisors, London: Routledge, 2007.
Single, Peg Boyle. Demystifying Dissertation Writing: A Streamlined Process from Choice of Topic to Final Text. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC, 2011.