DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the student to the major themes and
specialized disciplines that deal with U.S. Latino(a)/Hispanic communities. The
approach is practical and intends to forge a critical environment for
interpreting religious practices, culture, ministry models, and social
structures that so far have shaped the contours of Latino living. The end
product is a critical ecclesiology for churches whose constituency is the
Latina community or whose intention is to embrace such a community and issues
at some point.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Doing ministry among Latinos encompasses a
set of multicontextual, polyvalent, polyglot, interdisciplinary skills, to name
some. We believe this course is foundational for ministers, leaders, students,
and theologians involved (or wishing to be involved) with Latinos in the United
States.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1)
cognitively, a foundational understanding of the main issues affecting
Latinos in the U.S. and beyond; (2) ministry-related, a
hermeneutics of religious practices, leadership, and missions;
(3) contextually, a social ethics situated in the Latino context
but shaped by biblical values; (4) spiritually, a domestic
spirituality for the people of God--a communal expression of faith shaped by
the historical-transcendent Spirit of God.
COURSE FORMAT: Given the practical methodology of this course, the class
environment will allow for a variety of learning experiences including
lectures, debates, films, lyric analysis, group blogs, etc. The class will meet
weekly for three-hour sessions. Students are expected to study beforehand the
required readings for the week and take part in the ensuing discussion. It will
require independent study, group projects, and presentations.
REQUIRED READING: