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Guidelines for the M.T.S. Synthesis Essay

The capstone integrative document of the Master of Theological Studies Program at PSR is the M.T.S.

Synthesis Essay. The essay is used as a learning tool, to assist you in integrating the various aspects of

your theological education prior to graduation, and as an assessment tool, as evidence of the extent to

which you have achieved the goals of the degree program, and the extent to which PSR has met the

goals it has set out for teaching and learning in the M.T.S. program.

Your Synthesis Essay should in some significant part reflect the goals of the program. In your essay you

should be prepared to:

1) Engage in theological reflection, analysis, and critical thinking about a contemporary issue

related to your Area of Interest.

2) Draw upon at least 2 areas of theological study (bible, history, theology, or ethics). You will be

integrating and bringing these areas into creative and critical inter-play with one another

3) Demonstrate knowledge and competency in your area of interest

4) Show evidence of your understanding of the importance of social location by explaining how

differing contexts impact one’s understanding of the text, issue, or topic under discussion.

While it is not as long as an M.A. thesis, and does not involve the sort of original scholarly research

characteristic of an M.A. thesis, the M.T.S. Synthesis Essay is nonetheless a piece of academic writing.

While personal reflection may be relevant in situating the source of your interest in the topic, or the

contextual factors that shape the way you ask it, the essay is designed to be an academic exercise

using the standards of argument and publicly accessible reasoning that characterize a typical research

paper. While it should meet the design requirements discussed below, the essay may build on a

research paper you have written or are writing for a course in your degree program.

The Synthesis Essay is 10-15 pages long, and prepared in consultation with your advisor. In the essay

you will identify a problem, issue, or topic related to your Area of Interest. The issue/problem should

be described clearly and set in its context (social, religious, etc.). The essay should then address this

issue by drawing on two of the foundational disciplines (Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theology,

and Ethics) studied in the program. Usually the Area of Interest is quite broad (i.e. Religion and

Psychology; Feminism and Religion, Religious Pluralism; Social Justice; Religion and the Arts). The

issue, problem, or topic identified in the synthesis essay must necessarily be much narrower than the

Area of Interest, so that you may successfully address it within the recommended 10-15 pages.

So for example, a student interested in ecological justice might focus the essay on the relationship of

eco-feminism to the Christian faith in a way that makes appropriate use of religious and theological

resources. Such a student might wish to draw on her exposure to Biblical Studies, exploring biblical

themes that support or contribute negatively to an ethic of environmental justice. In this case, the

student is demonstrating that she has acquired exegetical, historical-critical, and hermeneutical skills

appropriate for someone who has obtained a degree in theological studies. Further, she might draw

on her exposure to the discipline of theology, identifying eco-feminist strands in a work or works of

Christian feminist theology. In so doing, she is demonstrating both critical theological and contextual

reflection skills and also actual theological knowledge of thinkers and texts encountered as part of her

theological education.

The above example is only illustrative, as there is considerable freedom in the design and content of

the essay; the M.T.S. Synthesis Essay is intended to give you an opportunity to integrate creatively your

theological education by bringing this education to bear on a question that has motivated your

theological education or engaged you throughout your exploration of your particular area of interest.

At the same time you will be demonstrating newly acquired standard critical skills and knowledge from

at least two theological disciplines. You may find it helpful to consult with your advisor and perhaps

other faculty members as you prepare your essay.

Guidelines For The Mts Synthesis Essay

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