RS 3350 (26587): Hispanic Religious ExpressionsMWF 10:30 - 11:20 PSYC 310Ken Ducré, STL

Office: 202 Worrell Phone: 747-7945

Course Description:

What role does religion play in Hispanic culture? How are Hispanic religious expressions manifest in culture and society? How do the fields of history, theology, sociology, philosophy, literature and art all contribute to a better understanding of how Latinos and Latinas experience the sacred? This course provides an opportunity for students to explore religious experience from the perspective of Latinos and Latinas in the United States as it has been impacted through significant historical events and socio-political conditions. Students will trace the development of concepts and ideas that play a key role in critically assessing the importance of Latino/a culture as its own rich diversity enhances and contributes to diverse richness of American society. Students will examine Hispanic religious expressions found in "popular religion" as they relate to personal and cultural identity in the reality of Latinos and Latinas. Students will also consider the historical roots of such religious expressions.

Required Texts: A packet of articles has been compiled for students to read and help them prepare for class sessions. They may be purchased at the Library Copy Center.

INTRODUCTIONThe Importance of Studying Religion from a Hispanic Perspective.

Two significant Latino theologians, Ana María Díaz-Stevens and Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, point out that after nearly a century of unrecognized presence in the United States, the nation's more than 25 million Latinos and Latinas began, in 1967, to use religion as a major source of the social and symbolic capital to fortify their identity in American society. It is appropriate that the religious perspective of Latinos and Latinas be explored in order to understand more fully the rich and diverse culture of American Society. The contribution of Latinos and Latinas has been significant in our multicultural and pluralistic society.

PART ONEThe Social and Historical Overview of Hispanics in the United States

Our course focuses on the religious and theological reality of Hispanics in the United States, which by no means is a homogeneous reality, but represents rich and diverse cultural expressions (Afro-Latino, Mestizo, and others), histories, and perspectives on life. This part of the course seeks to explore the historical and social reality of what is meant by Hispanic/Latino so as to better appreciate the rich and diverse religious expressions of Hispanics in the United States. We stall examine the following:

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I. Historical Realities

A. A standard/Typical View of History

B. A Revisionist View of History

1. Invasion and Colonization

2. History as propaganda

II. Social Realities

A. Demography

B. Race and Identity

PART TWOTheological - Hermeneutical Reflections

Arturo Bañuelas, the editor of Mestizo Christianity, points out that "today God-talk is being expressed from a new historical point of departure and by new protagonists in that history: Latino men and women struggling for life." The purpose of this part of the course is to study the contributions of Hispanic/Latino theologians. The following will be studied:

I. Foundations

A. The Center of Religious Reflection

1. Dialectic: Oppression/Liberation

2. The Insights of Black Theology as Foundational

II. B. The Hermeneutic Circle

1. Excursus: Juan Luis Segundo

2. African-American Experience

a. The Black Christ

i. James H. Cone

ii. Assessment: Kelly Brown Douglas

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b. Black Liberation Theology (James H. Cone)

c. Martin Luther King, Jr.

d. Later Immigrant Salvadoran Experience

III. Liberation Theology

A. Epistemology and Method

B. Theology of Liberation and Marxism

C. Option for the Poor

IV. The Church and the Chicano Movement

V. The Emergence of U. S. Latino Theology

A. Locus Theologicus: Mestizaje

1. Catholic Perspectives

2. Protestant Perspectives

B. Issues

VI. Mujerista Theology (Women's Voices)

A. Women's Voices from the Chicano Movement

B. Mujerista

PART THREERitual and Popular Religious Expressions

Ritual actions and other religious practices when studied from the point of view of the theologian or the anthropologist can give insights into the nature of religious experience and can help us understand the world view of those to whom these actions are sacred. The consideration of religious ritual and practice in the Hispanic/Latino reality is an essential and necessary part to understanding religion in that context.

I. Theological Reflections

A. The Notion of Ritual and Popular Religion

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B. Popular Religion and Cultural Identity

C. A Mujerista Perspective

D. Fiestas

1. Dia De Los Muertos

2. Our Lady of Guadalupe

3. Reflections on Semana Santa in Socorro, Texas (Eleanora Armendariz)

4. Tigua Expressions

PART FOURClass Presentations

As was mentioned above, the religious response to "struggle" is at the center of Hispanic/Latino theology. The following issues are challenges that continue to face the Latino community. The students may select one of the following issues as the topic for the class project, or may choose one from their own interests after having the topic approved by the professor.

1. Machismo, Church, and Survival in a Time of AIDS.2. Economic Realities: Being Sold for 40 Pieces of Silver or "Cheap Labor

for Sale"3. Recent Immigrants and Church Response.4. Upward Mobility and Mestizo Identity: Opportunities for Religious

Cultural Solidarity.5. Fringe Participants: Farm Workers Embraced by a Worshipping

Community.6. Latinos in Cinematography7. Reflections in Literature8. Immigration Laws and the Church9. Hispanic Images in Motion Pictures10. Abuse : Women's Struggle and the Church's Role11. Images of Death in Hispanic/Mexican Culture12. The Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexican American Culture13. Crypto-Judaism: The Hidden Faith14. AIDS, Mexican American Community, and the Church15. Religious Symbols of the Mexican American Community16. The Church and the Conquest of Mexico17. Multicultural Education18. Death and Dying

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19. Hispanics in Cinema20. The Penitentes of Northern New Mexico

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class Participation and Attendance: Students are expected to participate actively in this course. Readings will be assigned throughout the semester either from the required texts or from other sources so that the student will be informed on the topics presented during class sessions. The quality of the discussions will be enhanced by the comments and insights that each participating student brings to the discussion. Participation begins with the actual attendance of the student. Attendance in class is mandatory. It is recognized, however, that there does arise a need for a student to be absent from the course due to some personal need or responsibility. Each student will be allowed six (6) absences. So use them wisely! Any student absent from class beyond the six days allowed will have ten (10) points deducted from his or her participation/attendance grade for each class he or she fails to attend. If a student must be absent from class due to some university related activity, he or she must notify the lecturer in advance in writing. All work due at the time of that excused absence must be turned in to the professor before that absence. Excessive absences may result in the student being dropped from the course by the professor. Class participation and attendance will comprise 10% (ten per cent) of the grade.

Reading Journal. For each class session, a student must write a critical reflection on the assigned reading for the day. You are to write your reflection in MS Word and submit it before class as an attachment to e-mail using WebCT. This will help us all prepare to contribute to class discussions. Your reflection should be two (2) pages in length and must include the flowing elements.

1. Heading: With your name, bibliographical information of the assigned reading, and date.

2. A short summary of what the reading assignment is about: a concise paragraph declaring the basic idea of the reading. No more than 1

paragraph in length.3. Identification of an Issue: You are to cite an issue that stems from your

reading of the assignment and briefly describe that issue.4. Your Critique of the issue. You are to take a stance with respect to the

issue you chose to cite.

Each reflection will be given one of the following grades:

100% --- Well written and insightful.70% --- Acceptable60% --- Minimal Response0% --- Not accepted, late, not received.

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The reading journal will make up 20% (twenty per cent) of the grade.

Class Project. Each student must complete a special project for the course. The project must be written up in the form of a paper and presented before the class. Sample topics for the presentations are suggested above. A topic for the student's class project must be chosen and approved by the professor by Monday, February 16, 2004. In order to get approval for one's topic, the student submit his or topic in an MS Word document to the professor using "Webct" as an attachment to e-mail. No two students may have the same topic for his or her project.

The student project and presentation will account for 70% (seventy percent) of the student's final grade and will be assessed in the following manner:

A. Midterm Findings: 30% of GradeB. Final Paper: 30% of GradeC. Class Presentation 10% of Grade

A considerable portion of your project will be due at midterm. A guideline for turning in what will be graded will be posted on WebCT. All final projects will be due on Monday, April 13, 2004. Class presentations will begin on the same day and presenters will be assigned prior by lottery. A guide for class presentations will be posted on WebCT

GRADES

Class Participation and Attendance 10% of GradeReading Journal 20% of GradeMidterm Findings 30% of GradeFinal Paper 30% of GradeClass Presentation 10% of Grade

There are 100 points possible for the course. A letter grade for the course will be earned in the following manner:

A = 90 points and above.B = 80 to 89 pointsC = 70 to 79 pointsD = 60 to 69 pointsF = fewer than 60 points

NOTES:1. Daily entries and other assignments are expected on due dates.2. Each student is expected to complete all requirements for the course to receive a

passing grade.3. Students with disabilities: If you have or believe to have a disability, you may

wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Office of Disabled Student Services located in the UTEP Union. If you have a condition, which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or

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which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/ or the director of the Disabled Student Services. You may call 747-5148 for general information about the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

4. In the event that it is necessary for you to be absent. Please discuss this matter with the instructor before the fact so that your absence will be recorded as "excused." Unexcused absences will result in lowering your grade. Frequent absences may result in your being dropped from the course.

5. Please turn off cell phones and beepers during class times.

COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adams, Anna. "Pentecostal Latinas in Allentown, Pennsylvania." in A Reader in Latina Feminist Theology: Religion and Justice. María Pilar Aquino, Daisy L. Machado, and Jeanette Rodríguez (eds.) Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2002, pp. 99-113. [8 pages]

Bigelow, Bill. "Discovering Columbus: Re-Reading the Past." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.17-21. [5 pages]

Bigelow, Bill. " 'Open Your Hearts': A Dominican Friar Speaks Out." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.103-104. [2 pages]

Bigelow, Bill. "Timeline: Spain, Columbus and Taínos." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.99-102. [4 pages]

Boff, Clodovis. "Espistomology and Method in the Theology of Liberation." in Mysterium Liberationis: Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology. Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J. and Jon Sobrino, S.J. (eds.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1993, pp. 57-85. [14 pages]

Cadena, Gilbert R. "The Social Location of Liberation Theology: From Latin America to the United States." in Hispanic/Laino Theology: Challenge and Promise. Ada María Isasi-Díaz and Fernando F. Segovia (eds). Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996, pp. 167-182. [9 pages]

Cone, James H. "The Content of Theology." in A Black Theology of Liberation (20th Anniversary Edition). Maryknoll, NY: 1990, pp1- 20. [11 pages]

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Cone, James H. "Jesus Christ in Black Theology." in A Black Theology of Liberation (Twentieth Anniversary Edition). Maryknoll, NY: 1990, pp. 110-128. [13 pages]

Díaz-Stevens, Ana María, and Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo. "Invasions." in Recognizing the Latino Resurgence in U.S. Religion: The Emmaus Paradigm. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998, pp.83-115. [17 pages]

Díaz-Stevens, Ana María, and Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo. "Questions." in Recognizing the Latino Resurgence in U.S. Religion: The Emmaus Paradigm. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998, pp.1-47. [24 pages]

Díaz-Stevens, Ana María, and Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo. "Tradition." in Recognizing the Latino Resurgence in U.S. Religion: The Emmaus Paradigm. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998, pp. 48-82. [18 pages]

Douglas, Kelly Brown. "The Theological Development of the Black Christ." in The Black Christ. Maryknoll, NY: 1994, pp. 53-127. [15 pages]

Dussel, Enrique D. "Theology of Liberation and Marxism." in Mysterium Liberationis: Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology. Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J. and Jon Sobrino, S.J. (eds.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1993, pp. 85-102. [10 pages]

Elizondo, Virgilio. "From Cultural Birth to Maturity." in Galilean Journey: The Mexican-American Promise. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1983 (third printing 2003), pp. 19-31. [8 pages]

Elizondo, Virgilio. "Mestizaje." in Galilean Journey: The Mexican-American Promise. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1983 (third printing 2003), pp. 7-18. [8 pages]

Elizondo, Vigilio. "Mestizaje as a Locus of Theological Reflection." in Beyond Borders: Writings of Virgilio Elizondo and Friends. Timothy Matavina (ed.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000. pp.159-174. [9 pages]

Elizondo, Vigilio. "Mestizaje and the Future of Humanity." in Beyond Borders: Writings of Virgilio Elizondo and Friends. Timothy Matavina (ed.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000. pp. 176-186. [6 pages]

Elizondo, Vigilio. "Our Lady of Guadalupe as a Cultural Symbol." in Beyond Borders: Writings of Virgilio Elizondo and Friends. Timothy Matavina (ed.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000. pp.118-125. [4 pages]

Elizondo, Vigilio. "Popular Religion as Support of Identity." in Beyond Borders: Writings of Virgilio Elizondo and Friends. Timothy Matavina (ed.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000. pp.126-132. [4 pages]

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Fernández, S.J., Eduardo C. "The Emergence of Contextual Theology in the Church." in La Cosecha: Harvesting Contemporary United States Hispanic Theology (1972-1998). Collegville, MN: 2000, pp. 95-130. [19 pages]

Fletcher, Jr., Bill. "African-American Resistance." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.24-27. [4 pages]

Gaustad, Edwin Scott. A Religious History of America. New York, NY: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1974 (2nd ed), pp. 2-17. [8 pages]

Goizueta, Roberto S. "Beauty or Justice? Popular Catholicism as Human Action." in Caminemos con Jesús: Toward a Hispanic/Latino Theology of Accompaniment. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999, pp. 101-131. [16 pages]

Goizueta, Roberto S. "Beauty or Justice? The Aesthetic Character of Human Action." in Caminemos con Jesús: Toward a Hispanic/Latino Theology of Accompaniment. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999, pp. 77-100. [12 pages]

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. "Option for the Poor." in Mysterium Liberationis: Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology. Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J. and Jon Sobrino, S.J. (eds.). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1993, pp. 235-250. [9 pages]

Isasi-Díaz, Ada María. "Popular Religiousity, Spanish, and Proyecto Historico --- Elements of Latinas´ Ethnicity." in En la Lucha, In the Struggle: A Hispanic Women´s Liberation Theology." Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1993, pp. 34-54. [11 pages]

Jane, Cecil. "The First Few Days: The Journal of Christopher Columbus." from The Journal of Christopher Columbus and reprinted in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.96-98. [3 pages]

Josephy, Jr., Alvin. "Taino Resistance: Enrique's Uprising." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, p.111. [1 page]

"La Causa: God and Church." in Aztlan: An Anthology of Mexican American Literature. Luis Valdez and Stan Steiner (eds). New York, NY: Vintage Books (Random House), 1972, pp. 379-397. [10 pages]

"La Causa: La Mujer (The Woman)." in Aztlan: An Anthology of Mexican American Literature. Luis Valdez and Stan Steiner (eds). New York, NY: Vintage Books (Random House), 1972, pp. 257-280. [14 pages]

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Maldonado, Jr., David. "Doing Theology and the Anthropological Questions." in Teología en Conjunto: A Collaborative Hispanic Protestant Theology. José David Rodríguez and Loida I. Martell-Otero (eds). Louisville, KY: 1997. pp.98-111. [7 pages]

Martin, Philip. " Sugar and Slavery." in Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years. Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson (eds). Milwaukee, WS: 1998, pp.22-23. [2 pages]

Ortiz, Manuel. "Hispanic People in a Context." in The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the Church. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1993, pp. 59-88. [18 pages]

Ortiz, Manuel. "A Historical Exchange." in The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the Church. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1993, pp. 41-55. [8 pages]

Ortiz, Manuel. "Urbanization: The Hispanic Reality." in The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the Church. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1993, pp. 23-39. [9 pages]

Recinos, Harold J. "The Struggle for National Identity." in Who Comes in the Name of the Lord: Jesus at the Margins. Nashville, TN: 1997, pp. 15-36. [12 pages]

Recinos, Harold J. "Two Inivited Guests." in Who Comes in the Name of the Lord: Jesus at the Margins. Nashville, TN: 1997, pp. 105-137. [17 pages]

Recinos, Harold J. "Two Univited Guests." in Who Comes in the Name of the Lord: Jesus at the Margins. Nashville, TN: 1997, pp. 139-156. [10 pages]

Segundo, Juan Luis. "The Hermeneutic Circle." in Liberation of Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1976, pp. 7-38. [17 pages]

Segundo, Juan Luis. "In Search of Sociology." in Liberation of Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1976, pp. 39-68. [16 pages]

Segundo, Juan Luis. "The Political Option." in Liberation of Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1976, pp. 69-96. [15 pages]

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