Spring 2009/Pasadena
TH884/554
Martínez

TH884/554: CRITICAL APPROACHES TO LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO THEOLOGY.
Juan F. Martínez G.


DESCRIPTION: The seminar will introduce students to the development of theological perspectives in Latin America and among US Latinos. It will set a historical and theological framework for understanding indigenous and African background theologies, Latin American Liberation Theology, evangélico theology, and the various forms of Latin American Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. It will also address US Latino theology within US and Latin American contexts. This is a 6-unit seminar intended for PhD and ThM students; the 500-level, 4-unit course is open to a limited number of master's level students by special permission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitive: conceptual work in understanding theological development in Latin America and among US Latinos. Skills: hermeneutics and theological reflection regarding texts and contexts of Latin American and US Latino theologies. Conative: vision for and commitment to understanding Latin American and US Latino theologies as a framework for teaching and service in Latin American or US Latino communities of faith.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Those who teach and practice Christian ministry among US Latinos or among Latin Americans need clarity and competency concerning the development of Christian theological perspectives in this context.

SEMINAR FORMAT: The seminar will meet for three hours weekly, for ten weeks; class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING: PhD and ThM students will read a minimum of 2700 pages, and MA/MDiv students need to scan all texts and read a minimum of 1200 pages (including books indicated by +). The primary texts are indicated by *:

   Álvarez, Carmelo, ed. Pentecostalismo y liberación: Una experiencia latinoamericana. DEI, 1992.

*+De la Torre, Miguel, and Edwin Aponte. Introducing Latino/a Theologies. Orbis, 2001.

   Escobar, Samuel. Changing Tides: Latin America and World Mission Today. Orbis, 2002.

 +Míguez Bonino, José. Rostros del protestantismo latinoamericano. Nueva Creación, 1995.

   Núñez, Emilio Antonio, and William Taylor. Crisis and Hope in Latin America ... an Evangelical Perspective. William Carey Library, 1996.

*+Penyak, Lee M., and Walter J. Petry, eds. Religion in Latin America: A Documentary History. Orbis, 2006.

 +Petrella, Ivan, ed. Latin American Liberation Theology: The Next Generation. Orbis, 2005.

* Tamayo, Juan, and Juan Bosch, eds. Panorama de la teología latinoamericana: Cuando vida y pensamiento son inseparables. Verbo Divino, 2000 (selections).

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Regular attendance, preparation for, and participation in class discussions, with assigned short presentations on passages to be discussed for the week (10%).

  2. Weekly short 2-page papers, as described in the syllabus. Master's students are required to do four papers (40%).

  3. Research paper, topic to be approved by professor (50%); for CATS students, 25-30 pages; for master's students, 10-15 pages.

PREREQUISITES: (1) Master's level students must have permission of the professor. (2) Students who are not conversant in Latin American church history will benefit from reading an introductory text before the first class session (see syllabus bibliography). (3) Ability to read in Spanish or Portuguese preferred.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)