PTS Catalogue - Princeton Theological Seminary

of the coursework at the University must be supported by the student’s residence
committee and submitted to the Ph.D. Studies Committee for final approval.
Normally, a doctoral student may register for only one Princeton University
course per semester. For exceptional circumstances, petitions to register for more
than one University course in any given semester must be supported by the student’s
residence committee and submitted to the Ph.D. Studies Committee for
final approval.
Special courses (independent studies, reading courses) may be undertaken only
with faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary.
Areas and Fields of Study
The following sections describe the individual areas and fields of study in greater
detail. Through seminars, courses, tutorials, and independent reading, students prepare
for the comprehensive examinations throughout the period of residence, which
normally includes two or three seminars or courses per term. If only one seminar is
available, advanced courses or tutorials may be used to fill out the program. These
structured elements are designed to leave students time for independent reading in
their chosen fields of study. In consultation with the residence adviser it may be possible
for a student to audit a course or seminar. Such audits will be recorded on transcripts
upon receipt of a Report on Audited Course form, signed by the professor.
These forms are available from the registrar and must be turned in to the Registrar’s
Office within two weeks of the last day of classes for the semester.
AREA I: Biblical Studies
Within Princeton Theological Seminary, the Biblical Studies Department regards its
mission in the doctoral program as the preparation of biblical scholars and teachers
in service to the church, whether as teachers in seminaries and divinity schools,
colleges and major research universities, or as pastors of local congregations.
Course of Study
In support of its programs, the department offers broad coverage in many of the
areas and sub-disciplines in the field, with specific concentrations and offerings
determined by the interests and expertise of the faculty. The driving force of the
program both in Old Testament and New Testament clusters broadly around
linguistic, historical, literary, and theological dimensions of textual and exegetical
study. The general aims of formal coursework are to develop familiarity with
leading areas and methods of research and analysis in the study of the Old or
New Testament, to acquire linguistic and historical competencies necessary to
work expertly with primary sources, to prepare for the student’s Comprehensive
Examinations, and to pursue specific interests relevant to the student’s scholarly
development, especially in the area of the dissertation. A typical course of study
will include at its core requisite language study and a sequence of courses in biblical
exegesis and theology, historical and comparative backgrounds, and reception
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