Fall 2011/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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will be able to
articulate their cultural identity; understand and describe their own Hispanic
heritage and its behavioral scripts; become aware of the processes and dynamics
shaping their families of origin and those of their congregation; identify
ministry strategies to address general dysfunctional family dynamics.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for three 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
three invited guests to present on topics of their expertise and conduct
laboratory sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Cisneros, H. C., ed. Latinos and the Nation's Future. Arte
Publico Press, 2009. ISBN-13: 9781558855427, List price: $29.95.
- Falicov, C. J. Latino Families in Therapy. New York: Guilford, 2000.
ISBN: 1572305932, $30.
- Fuentes, C. Todas las Familias Felices. Alfaguara, 2006. ISBN-13:
978-9707705753, $19.95.
- García Márquez, G. Cien Años de Soledad. 6th
ed. Catedra, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-8437604947, $18.99.
- Johnson-Mondragon, K., and Smith C., eds. Pathways of Hope and Faith
among Hispanic Teens. Stockton, CA: Instituto Fe y Vida, 2007. ISBN:
0980029309, $31.50.
- Minuchin, S. Familias y Terapia Familiar. Gedissa, 2008. ISBN-13:
978-8474320121, $28.65.
- Nazarino, S. Enrique's Journey. New York: Random House, 2006. ISBN:
0812971787, $16.
- Rodriguez, D. A. A Future for the Latino Church: Models for
Multilingual, Multigenerational Hispanic Congregations. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 2011. ISBN: 0830839305, $19.
- Suárez-Orozco, M. M., and M. M. Páez, eds. Latinos:
Remaking America. 2nd ed. (David Rockefeller Center for Latin American
Studies.) Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008. ISBN: 0520258274,
$26.95.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
- Each student will submit six 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).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (revised July 15, 2011)