Certificate Program in Latino/a Studies

CORE FACULTY:

Luis Leon, Associate Professor, University of Denver, Religious Studies, Certificate Coordinator

Miguel De La Torre, Professor, Iliff School of Theology, Social Ethics

Albert Hernandez, Associate Professor, Iliff School of Theology, History of Christianity, Interim President of Iliff School of Theology

Debora Ortega, Associate Professor, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, Director, University of Denver Latino Center for Community Engagement and Scholarship

 

BACKGROUND:

Beginning fall of 2006, the faculty for the Joint Doctoral Program between DU and Iliff became the leader in terms of having the most Latino faculty members among doctoral programs in religious studies and theology: Miguel de la Torre (Iliff), Albert Hernandez (Iliff), and Luis Leon (DU religious studies). Also involved in the doctoral program is director of the DU Latino Center for Community Engagement and Scholarship (DULCCES), Debora Ortega.

We are now capitalizing on this strength by offering a certificate in Latina/o Studies within the Joint Doctoral Program—the first of its kind in the nation! The goal of the program is to provide certification to teach in Latina/o Studies, focusing on religion, theology, and social praxis. Our certificate project is delineated by three main goals:

1) The training of doctoral students resulting in a certificate in Latina/o Studies. 
2) Research and scholarly production.
3) Community service, outreach, and engagement.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS:

Students must apply to and be accepted into the program.  Each student in the program is required to complete 20 credit hours in approved courses (see Latina/o Studies Coordinator). Other requirements include a Spanish competency exam or successful course equivalent, and a field placement assignment. Typically, the candidate will work under the direction of at least one of the four core faculty in the Latina/o emphasis (De La Torre, Hernandez, Leon, Ortega); however exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

All interested students in the Joint Doctoral Program, from any concentration, will be eligible to apply for certification.

COMMUNITY SERVICE/FIELD PLACEMENT:

Students undertaking the Latina/o certificate program will be required to complete a field placement within a Latina/o church or other community service organization. Latina/o Studies is an academic pursuit grounded in knowledge of the realities existing within a specific community, both historically and today. Service in the community will meet the need to have first hand experience working with the realities of Latina/os.  Hence, the participation of Professor Ortega will serve students well, especially those interested in pastoral ministry, community activism, and other expressions of social welfare.

COURSE WORK AND COURSES TOWARD THE CERTIFICATE:

Students must take at least two courses from the list of “core courses,” at least two of which will be offered each year (course list is available with Latina/o Certificate coordinator). In some cases, a Latina/o-studies focused independent study may count toward this requirement (dependent upon advisor approval). The remaining two courses counted toward the certificate must be drawn from the “secondary list” of courses. And one course, the fifth, must be either a field placement, or an intensive Latin American immersion equivalent. Students may petition for courses not listed to count toward the certificate; these will be decided on individual case basis.

CORE COURSES:

THEO 6421: SPANISH MYSTICS AND REFORMERS - Dr. Hernandez
This course will examine the works of mystics and reformers such as Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola, Juan de Valdes and others. This seminar also discusses the influence of these sixteenth century religious movements on Latin American history and the culture of the American Southwest under Spain’s colonial rejection of these pluralistic legacies while defining a new national identity.

RLGS 4676, LATINA/O RELIGIOUS CULTURES: TEXTS, METHODS, AND THEORIES - Dr. Leon
Within recent years scholars have begun to introduce cultural studies models into religious studies research to sharpen understanding of distinct racial(ized) religious expressions within the U.S. as cultural products. This seminar explores this fresh modeling by focusing on Latin@s. Hence, the goals of this course are twofold. First to deepen familiarity with the major traditions that constitute Latino religiosity while understanding the questions and categories germane to both cultural and religious studies. Ultimately, students will be asked to incorporate these methods and theories into their own analytical repertoire.

THEO 6xxx: LATINA/O THEOLOGY AND ETHICS- Dr. De la Torre
This course will examine the work of four key Latina/o theologians, and four Latina/o ethicists. Students will be required to familiarize themselves with the main ideas, issues, debates and thinkers working within these fields.

SOWK 4750: ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE LATINA/O CONTEXT - Dr. Ortega
(teaches Spanish language competency from a power, privilege, and oppression perspective.  It really is Spanish for helpers.  We have intermediate and advanced levels).

SOWK 4751 GLOBAL RELATIONS AND POVERTY IN MEXICO - Dr. Ortega
This is a course that takes place in Mexico.  This course utilizes a power, privilege, and oppression approach to understanding the experience of Mexican immigrants and how change occurs among oppressed peoples.  The Christian based community movement is addressed in this course.

SOWK 4749 INTERVENTIONS WITH LATINA/O FAMILIES - taught in Spanish (3 credits)
Addresses immigration issues, as well as intervention and theoretical approaches for Latinos/as. Covers the selection of interventions and strategies for cross-cultural use in adequately addressing the needs of Latinos/as. This course addresses intervention techniques that are culturally appropriate given the culture and experience of Latino families.

Other Courses (secondary list): 

SOWK 4757: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
Discusses the intersection of US policy and Latin America.  NGOs, the World Bank, NAFTA and the effects of Latin American are addressed.

THEO 6325: Muslims, Jews & Christians in Medieval Spain (4 credits)
An exploration of the “Golden Age” of cross-cultural encounters that occurred in Medieval Spain from the Muslim conquest in 711 to the fall of Granada and the expulsion of Jews in 1492; an overview of the historical and ecumenical dimensions of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim coexistence known as “La Convivencia.”

HED 4287: Critical Race Theory & Education (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an in-depth exposure to Critical Race Theory (CRT) as it pertains to education. Critical Race Theory is an analytical framework that provides race-based epistemological, methodological, and pedagogical approaches to the study of everyday inequalities in P-20 education.

THEO 6304: Race, Gender, Class: Historical & Social Scientific Analysis of Individual, Institutional and Systemic Racism in the Modern World (4 credits)
An historical survey of the role of racism, sexism and classism in shaping the oppressive institutional structures of the existing world order and of how sociological analysis of these structures can help justice and peace activists direct effective action toward the elimination of race, gender and class oppression. Offered annually as a required Justice and Peace Proseminar.

THEO 6317: Multi-Cultural Issues in Theological Study (4 credits)
A seminar especially designed for students of color. Particular issues or fields of study will be chosen by the participants and will be looked at critically within the context of communities of color. Because the actual topics dealt with in the seminar change from year to year, the seminar may be repeated one time for credit.

THEO 6318: Native American Religious Tradition (4 credits)
A survey of the world views of Native American people as these pertain to both inter-tribal beliefs and Native American ceremonial life, with an attempt to show how Native American practice proceeds from their world view.

THEO 6339: Indigenous Knowledge, Science & Religion (4 credits)
This course focuses on the spiritual concerns with are central to indigenous knowledge systems, particularly in terms of the indigenous contribution to the science and religion dialogue. This graduate seminar will explore how the indigenous continuum of cognition integrates direct observations and conclusions about the natural world with moral concern for maintaining balance with all forms of life in the universe

BL 4500, THEO 6305?: Post-Colonial and Other Myths: A Theological Critique of Dominance
Post-Colonialism refers to the discourses emerging from the inhabitants of once colonized nations who advance movements toward de-colonization, including neo-colonialists movements. This colloquium explores the intersection of decolonizing narratives with religious discourses, offering a theological critique of dominance. Among the questions we will ask is what is the relationship between colonialisms and religions? How have religious myths and rituals established a divine right to rule? How has religious narration destabilized theological orthodoxies establishing a mandate and legitimacy for servitude? How has race and theological anthropology factored into colonizing and de-colonizing practices?

THEO 6436: Liberation Theologies (4 credits)
Consideration of contemporary liberation movements with focus on feminist, black, and third-world theologies

THEO 6217: Multi-Cultural Pastoral Care & Counseling (4 credits)
Examines multicultural issues in pastoral care and counseling and explores the dynamics and complexities of culture, race and other socializing factors in pastoral care conversations.