Caring w/Oppressed Latinamente

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Rubén Arjona

Caring with the Oppressed Latinamente

Course Description

This course explores Latinx perspectives on the understanding and practice of care with oppressed individuals and communities. Close attention is given to the relevance of liberation theologies for pastoral/spiritual care . Other relevant topics include pastoral accompaniment, community and family, and lo cotidiano (daily life experience).

Although this course may offer insights on how to provide spiritual/pastoral care to Latinx communities, the main purpose of the course is to deepen intercultural awareness by reflecting on how caregiving is practiced within Latinx communities. What might be distinctive about the practice of spiritual and pastoral care within Latinx communities? In what ways do liberation theologies influence Latinx understandings and practices of care? What might caregivers in the United States learn from the embodiment of pastoral theology in Latin America and in Latinx communities in the U. S.? Based on the insights and experiences of Latinx theologians and literary scholars, these are some of the questions that Caring with the Oppressed Latinamente seeks to answer.

Learning Goals

1. Students will become familiar with a variety of Latinx theologies and approaches to pastoral/spiritual caregiving.
2. Students will demonstrate their intercultural competence by embodying an empathic understanding of Latinx contexts and theologies.
3. Students will further articulate their theologies of care by incorporating into their own understandings and practices of leadership and ministry Latinx insights for spiritual and pastoral care.

Readings

Required books:

Boff, L. & C. Boff (1987). Introducing Liberation Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Castillo, A. (2016). Black Dove: Mamá, Mi'jo, and Me. New York: Feminist Press.

Isasi-Díaz, A. M. (2004). La Lucha Continues: Mujerista Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Romero, O. (2018). The Scandal of Redemption: When God Liberates the Poor, Saves Sinners, and Heals Nations. Walden, NY: Plough Publishing House.

Tamez, E. (2006). Bible of the Oppressed. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.  [You may also purchase the 1982 edition by Orbis Books].

*Other required readings will be available as PDFs or electronically through Iliff's library.

Syllabus (Word document)