RS 3350 (26587): Hispanic Religious Expressions
MWF 10:30 - 11:20 PSYC 310
Ken 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.
INTRODUCTION
The Importance of Studying Religion from a Hispanic Perspective.
Two significant Latino theologians, Ana María Díaz-Stevens and Anthony M. StevensArroyo, 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 ONE
The 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:
1
I.
II.
Historical Realities
A.
A standard/Typical View of History
B.
A Revisionist View of History
1.
Invasion and Colonization
2.
History as propaganda
Social Realities
A.
Demography
B.
Race and Identity
PART TWO
Theological - 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.
II.
B.
The Center of Religious Reflection
1.
Dialectic: Oppression/Liberation
2.
The Insights of Black Theology as Foundational
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
2
III.
b.
Black Liberation Theology (James H. Cone)
c.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
d.
Later Immigrant Salvadoran Experience
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.
B.
VI.
Locus Theologicus: Mestizaje
1.
Catholic Perspectives
2.
Protestant Perspectives
Issues
Mujerista Theology (Women's Voices)
A.
Women's Voices from the Chicano Movement
B.
Mujerista
PART THREE
Ritual 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
3
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 FOUR
Class 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Machismo, Church, and Survival in a Time of AIDS.
Economic Realities: Being Sold for 40 Pieces of Silver or "Cheap Labor
for Sale"
Recent Immigrants and Church Response.
Upward Mobility and Mestizo Identity: Opportunities for Religious
Cultural Solidarity.
Fringe Participants: Farm Workers Embraced by a Worshipping
Community.
Latinos in Cinematography
Reflections in Literature
Immigration Laws and the Church
Hispanic Images in Motion Pictures
Abuse : Women's Struggle and the Church's Role
Images of Death in Hispanic/Mexican Culture
The Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexican American Culture
Crypto-Judaism: The Hidden Faith
AIDS, Mexican American Community, and the Church
Religious Symbols of the Mexican American Community
The Church and the Conquest of Mexico
Multicultural Education
Death and Dying
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19.
20.
Hispanics in Cinema
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.
2.
3.
4.
Heading: With your name, bibliographical information of the assigned
reading, and date.
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.
Identification of an Issue: You are to cite an issue that stems from your
reading of the assignment and briefly describe that issue.
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%
70%
60%
0%
--- Well written and insightful.
--- Acceptable
--- Minimal Response
--- Not accepted, late, not received.
5
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.
B.
C.
Midterm Findings:
Final Paper:
Class Presentation
30% of Grade
30% of Grade
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
Reading Journal
Midterm Findings
Final Paper
Class Presentation
10% of Grade
20% of Grade
30% of Grade
30% of Grade
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
B
C
D
F
= 90 points and above.
= 80 to 89 points
= 70 to 79 points
= 60 to 69 points
= 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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4.
5.
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).
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.
Please turn off cell phones and beepers during class times.
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