Spring 2016/Pasadena
TC521
Garcia-Johnson/Font
TC521: TEOLOGÍA Y LITERATURA HISPANOAMERICANA (4 Units: 162 hours). Oscar Garcia-Johnson and Eduardo Font.
DESCRIPTION: This course will explore (1) transmodern and postcolonial attitudes toward the sacramental experience of God found in selected literature in the American Global South and (2) a critical literary method that would help the student to engage marking literary narratives across the Americas. Fiction will be explored as a form of epistemic and cultural resistance to colonial/modern/western assimilation through the works of Unamuno, Carpentier, Octavio Paz, Roa Bastos, and Sandra Cisneros. Given the global context of Latin American/Latino(a) literature the student will be enriched by multiple symbolic universes there portrayed and will be exposed to how essayists, novelists, poets, and literary critics make non-theistic theology in their works. Simultanously, the student will notice how the classical Latino/a theologian of the Americas —with rare exceptions —have lacked on literary critical skills to read culture hence losing ground over the literary artist which situates her/his representations in a fertile cultural field that implicates the religious milieu. As such, this course invites a dialogue from a theological, missiological, and pastoral perspective.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated: (1) a basic knowledge of Western and indigenous literary traditions in the Americas; (2) basic skills in cultural analysis and interaction by engaging in literary interpretation; (3) a critical perspective on how literature might be a resource for “reading culture,” for spiritual development and discipleship, and for ministry as well as how “theology” might be a resource for the artist to produce better literature.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. A typical session will involve: a critical analysis of the assigned readings and lectures on specific issues related how literature has influenced theological perspectives and religious life in the context of the Americas. In addition, students will work in cohorts with forum discussions on Moodle in preparation for the weekly sessions. Classes will occasionally use panels with guest speakers and video clips.
REQUIRED READING: 1225 total number of pages required.
Carpentier, Alejo. Los pasos perdidos. Lectorum Publications, 2002. ISBN: 978-9707320024, Pub. Price $13.90 [200 pp.].
Cisneros, Sandra. La Casa en Mango Street. Vintage Español, 1994. ISBN: 978-0679755265, Pub. Price $11.00 [112 pp.].
García Márquez, Gabriel. Cien años de soledad. Edición Jacques Joset, 17th ed. Ediciones Cátedra, 2005. ISBN: 978-8437604947, Pub Price $19.99 [250 pp.].
Paz, Octavio. El laberinto de la soledad. Penguin, 1997. ISBN: 978-0140258837, Pub. Price $17.00 [200 pp.].
Rivera-Pagán, Luis. Teología y Cultura en América Latina. Costa Rica: UNA, 2009. [123 pp.] (eReserve)
Roa Bastos, Augusto. Hijo de hombre. Debolsillo, 2008. ISBN: 978-9708103480, Pub. Price $14.00 [200 pp.].
Unamuno, Miguel de. San Manuel Bueno, Mártir. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. ISBN: 978-1511531085. Amazon Pub. Price $7.38 [40 pp.]
eReader with supplemental essays [100 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Attendance and participation (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [30 hours].
1225 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 & 3] [70 hours].
An “objective” quiz on “Las Babas del Diablo” (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1] [5 hours]
Writing seven 500 word critical essays (précis) on the bibliography (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [14 hours].
Mid-term: An oral Group presentation based on a five-page critique of one of the novels in the bibliography (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2]. [8 hours]. (This includes 5 hours of DLA’s].
A research essay that addresses a particular theme in Latin American/Latino literature that has influenced theological perspectives and can be didactic to the practice of Christian ministry. [2,500-3,500 words] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2,3]. [30 hours].
5 hours DLA’s which includes attending a panel on Literature and theology. [This assignment is related to learning outcome 3].
PREREQUISITES: Spanish.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to count in the Theology and Arts emphasis, Worship and Music Ministry emphasis, Worship, Theology and the Arts emphasis and Youth, Family, and Culture Emphasis. Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement (IDPL) for the MACL in Integrative Studies.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.