HISPANIC SUMMER PROGRAM

XXIII SESSION

JUNE 25 – JULY 8, 2011

UNIVERSITY OF ST. MARY OF THE LAKE / MUNDELEIN SEMINARY

Mundelein, Illinois

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Theological Formation in the 21st Century

Elsie M. Miranda, D. Min.

Barry University

Course Schedule: M- F, 8:15-11:35 am

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Theological Formation in the 21st Century considers the foundational theological elements of the historical and contemporary. By integrating key theological contributions that have emerged from Latin America and the U.S. since the Second Vatican Council this course will analyze and critique the effects theology has had on culture, community and the human being.

After examining primary sources, consideration will be given to the practical theological issues that emerge when the voices of Latin American theologians are reclaimed in and for a culturally diverse and pluralistic context that is the 21st Century. Usingdevelopmental theory, students will consider the transformative and liberative power of the voicesthat rise from redeemed suffering and consider the impact of their inclusion at personal, communal and ecclesial levels. Using Ignacio Ellacuria’s theological method,the course will promote a critical integration between theology and the practice of ministry “in reality”. Using James Fowler, students will explore how developmental theory affects the personal and professional identity of the minister and what it means to claim covenant and vocation in a contemporary context.

Classes will be taught in English,through lectures, class discussions and visual presentation.

GOALS OF THIS COURSE

  1. To expose students to a broad understanding of the theological voicesthat have come from Latin Americasince the Second Vatican Council and their implications for Theological Formation.
  2. To provide students with the opportunity to reflect theologically on the “crucified Christ” of the Southern hemisphere as a contextual starting point for doing theology in the US. (Ellacuria,Sobrino, Goizueta, Lee, Isassi Diaz)
  3. To engage students in analyzingthe ecclesiological implications of the inclusion of Latin American theological voices on the North American Catholic Church. (Congar, Gutierez, Dussel, Metz)
  4. To promote the desire to know more about Latin America theology and the transformative power therein through a critique of diverse contemporary texts inclusive of Art and Film.
  5. To promote reflection on the impact that Developmental theory has on the theological formation of the human community as relevant to the practice of ministry.

GRADING CRITERIA:

A 100 – 96, A- 95 – 90, B+ 89 – 85, B 84 – 80, C 79 – 73, F > 72

  • Class Participation and In-class assignment 30% of grade: Participation includes being present and prepared for class; generating critical questions from the readings; offering relevant and insightful commentary; and providing a clear synopsis of assigned reading to the class (on assigned date).
  • 2 Reflection Papers 20% each: INTRODUCTION 10% includes clear description of questions or issues that reading provoked in the reader and includes the texts, authors and perspectives raised in the reflection. SUMMARY 30% includes the accurate and insightful articulations of the author’s positions and the theological implications that these positions have on the writers ecclesial / ministerial tradition. CRITIQUE 30% includes a critical analysis of the resource materials that generates a pro / con position that can be substantiated with scholarship or experience. APPLICATION 30% includes the writer’s creative, insightful and explicit articulation of how the text relates to their ministerial identity and context.
  • 1 Research Paper 30% of Grade: INTRODUCTION 20% includes a clear description of the research topic and the undergirding theological issues and goals that the writer will raise in the body of work within a defined set of parameters. RESEARCH 40% includes articulation of scholarship in the selected area being considered. Sources used reveal a depth of insight regarding the theological issue raised and substantiation of the claims made. APPLICATION40% includes application of research that is concise and accurate with regard to theological issues raised. Writer is insightful in applying theory to lived praxisand articulates his or her research with intentionality.

Written assignments that are handed in late will be penalized 5 points per day.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

  • Writing assignment 1: Pre-course—write a 4 to 6 page reflection paper on pre-reading assignments as it relates to your own ministerial identity and context. Due June 2nd
  • Writing assignment 2: Write a 4 to 6 page reflection paper on how the 3 movements in Ellacuria’s theological method transform theological praxis considering the readings from the first week of class.
  • Writing assignment 3: Present critical questions or insights of class readings on assigned date
  • Writing assignment 4: Write a research paper 10 to 12 pages Masters level; 20 to 25 pages Doctoral level on --- due on or before July 21st.

REQUIRED READINGS:

Fowler 1996. James Fowler, Faithful Change: The Personal and Public Challenge of Post-

Modern Life (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996) 89 – 201.

Garcia- Rivera 1999. Alejandro Garcia-Rivera, The Communty of the Beautiful: A Theological

Aesthetics ( Collegeville, Mn: Liturgical Press, 1999) 39 – 90.

Goizueta 1999. Roberto S. Goizueta, Caminemos Con Jesus: Toward a Hispanic/Latino

Theology of Accompaniment (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1999) 47 – 76; 173 – 211.

Gutierez 1996. Ed. By James Nickoloff, Gustavo Gutierez, Essential Writings (Maryknoll: Orbis

Press, 1996) 78 -148.

Hahnenberg 2010. Edward P. Hahnenberg, Awakening Vocation: A Theology of Christian Call

(Collegeville, Mn: Liturgical Press, 2010) 93 -229.

Lee 2010. Michael E. Lee. Bearing the Weight of Salvation: The Soteriology of Ignacio Ellacuria

(New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2009) 1 – 72; 105 – 159.

Rosario-Rodriguez 2008. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez. Racism and God Talk: A Latino/a

Perspective (New York University Press, 2008) 111 – 235.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Mary Ann Donovan, S.C., “Alive to the Glory of God: Key Insight In St. Irenaeus” Theolgical

Studies, 49 (1988) 283 – 97.

Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz. En La Lucha: Elaborating a Mujerista Theology (Minneapolis: Fortress Press

1993)

Johann Baptist Metz, A Passion for God, The Mystical Political Dimension of

Christianity, Translated by J Matthew Ashley, (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1998)

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Pre-course readings: Selections fromGaudium et Spes, ApostolicamActuositatemDecree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Call Response: A Theological Grounding for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, (Entire Texts Available as a download from USCCB); Excerpts from Conference of Latin American Bishops, Medellin 1968, (Available at Personal2.stthomas.edu/Medellin)Pre-course assignments: Watch the movies, The Mission and Avatar

FIRST WEEK

First Monday / Tuesday 6/27–6/28–Liberation Theology, Christian anthropology and the 21st Century Church

A brief historical retrospective of the Church of the late 20th Century and the prophetic stance of the Latin American Catholic communities, their leaders, accomplishments and implications for the US Church; a critique of the movies The Mission and Avatar will consider the Colonizing mindset that is juxtaposed by a theology of liberation. Hermeneutics and the preferential option for the poor, generate a fundamental shift in how humanity understands the relation between God, neighbor and self. Gutierrez and Goizueta offer distinct notions of how humanity is called “to see again” the nature of God crucified and risen in the contemporary context and engage in a theology of accompaniment.

Reading requirements prior to class:Gustavo Gutierrez Essential Writings, 78- 148; Goizueta, Caminemos Con Jesus 47 – 75.

Assignments due today: 4 Critical Questions /Insights that emerge from the readings and assignment

First Wednesday / Thursday 6/29 –6/30 The Source & Summit of Christian Ministerial Praxis

The principles and foundations of Ellacuria’s soteriology, move liberation theology to an encounter with the “reality” of suffering, revelation and salvation as engendered in the historical and modern struggle for justice and truth. Discipleship and Ecclesial Praxis as “participation in Trinitarian life” are refined as terms of engagement in the contemporary and historical reality of Christianity. Exploring these terms in the context of the contemporary moment, students will be asked to integrate Ellacuria’s theological method with “reality” in their own ministerial praxis.

Reading requirements:Michael Lee, Bearing The Weight of Slavation: Soteriology of Ellacuria p. 1 – 72; 105 – 159 andRoberto Goizueta, Caminemos Con Jesus: A Theology of Accompaniment, 173 - 211

Recommended reading: Johann Baptist Metz, A Passion for God, The Mystical Political Dimension of Christianity, 1998)

Assignments due today: 4 Critical Questions / Insights that emerge from the readings

First Friday 7/1 – Imago Dei Reconsidered for a Public and Political Theology

From the 2nd Century to Vatican II and beyond, the notion of humanity as revealing the image of God has been a source of continuous revelation. In the present and future Church Imago Dei takes on new dimensions within the complexity and diversity of the contemporary context.

Reading requirements: Ruben Rosario Rodriguez, Racism and God Talk, 111 – 236,

(Recommended Reading: Iraneus and commentary on Glory of God text)

Assignments due today: 4 Critical Questions / Insights that emerge from the readings

Reminder: Reflection Paper 2 due on Monday

SECOND WEEK/SEGUNDA SEMANA

Second Monday / Tuesday 7/4 – 7/5 Christian Call and a Theological Aesthetics

The tensions and extremism that arise in the 21st Century require an assessment Rahner’s theology of call as compared and contrasted with Barth’s, so that the question of conversionmay gives rise to similarity and difference of vocationas a lifelong process of dynamic relationship with God. For authentic engagement with God to occur however requires freedom of the subject, and solidarity with the world.Seeing the beauty in the being of humanity brings God to the forefront of the divine / human encounter in the world and provides ample thought for considering the directions of theological formation for the 21st Century.

Reading Requirements:Edward Hahnenberg, A Theology of Christian Call93 -229; Alejandro Garcia-Rivera, The Community of the Beautiful: A Theological Aethetics 39 - 90

Assignments due today: 3 Integrated insights from current and previous readings

Second Tuesday & Wednesday 7/5– 7/6 Challenges to Development Theoryand Theology

An exploration of the power of shame and guilt in post Enlightenment cultures (Western and Eastern) and how Developmental theorists posit the levels of Christian maturity as access points to humandevelopment within the life cycle.

Reading Requirements:James Fowler, Faithful Change: The Personal and Public Challenges of a Post-Modern Life, 97 - 201

Recommended Reading: James Fowler, Becoming Adult Becoming Christian,14 – 61

Assignments due today:4 Personal reflections or Insights gleaned from the readings

Second Friday 7/8 – Closing Seminar: Overview and New Directions

Final Assignment due on or before July 21st

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Syllabus HSP 2010, Dr. Elsie Miranda