RELS 228 Religion, Liberation, and Latin American Social Movements
Latino/a religious social movements around the world have pursued liberation from oppressive forces and sought to move toward just and equitable futures. In this course, we will examine the ways various Latin American social movements from the late nineteenth century to the present day have defined and practiced liberation, paying special attention to the distinctive role of religion in these movements. We will ask: How can religion provide a foundation for liberation? More specifically, how can religion foster visions of life honoring justice and prosperity? In what ways have religious communities lead organized resistances? And even when mobilizing for liberation, to what extent can religion continue to solidify forms of oppression? We will seek to answer these questions through a series of case studies including: 1) a unique form of “muscular” evangelical Christianity across Latin America after the Spanish-American War (1898) that sought to combat the oppressive powers that limited their sovereignty; 2) liberation theology and spiritual praxis within the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s; and 3) Latino/a global missionary efforts through various evangelical organizations. At the end of the class, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a Latin American social movement of their choice in a final research project.
Cross Listed Courses
LLAS 228