Spring 2005/Pasadena
CN546
Pontón
CN546: FAMILIA HISPANA E IDENTIDAD CULTURAL
(The Hispanic Family and
Cultural Identity). Marcel O. Pontón.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course will explore the psychological issues affecting
Hispanic families in the United States, within the context of pastoral
ministry. Students will learn about acculturation stress and its impact on
self-identity. The concept of immigration and family dynamics will be explored
in detail as it pertains to families of origin and the church family. Students
will be challenged to understand their own family dynamics by articulating the
behavioral scripts from their cultural heritage through the study of the life
of Joseph as an immigrant. The focus of the class will be interactive and
applied to ministry.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Clergy are the most sought after people during times of family
transitions. In addition to the usual changes expected in families (births,
adolescence, marriage, illness, death, etc.) Hispanic families face the added
stressor of defining their cultural identity in a context where they are an
ethnic and, in many cases, a linguistic minority. Therefore the role of the
minister in aiding these families through the process of acculturation is
crucial, particularly among the second generation or the children of the
immigrant parents.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet once a week for three and a half hours, using
the following format: two hours of formal lectures; one hour of discussion with
(a) group dynamics based on the discussion of real life situations faced by
students in their church settings, and (b) role playing in class. There will be
five invited guests to present on topics of their expertise and conduct
laboratory sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Suárez-Orozco, M. M. and M. M. Páez, eds. Latinos:
Remaking America. (David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.)
Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002.
- Jimenez, F. The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child.
Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1997.
- Assigned readings from the psychological and popular literature available
via Internet.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Each student will submit three reading reports (60%).
- Each student will develop a genogram of their family of origin (5%).
- Each student will write up a three-page description of "What is my
culture?" (5%).
- Each student will write up a one-page summary related to the origin of
their family surname (5%).
- Each student will present one case study or write up a description of the
acculturation level of their church families with implications for ministry
(15%).
- Each student will watch one movie about ethnic/immigrant experiences and
write a two-page report addressing identity, acculturation and generational
issues (10%).
PREREQUISITES:
- Spanish.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN 5).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.