Fall 2008

Instructor: Prof. Peter Sanchez

Meeting Days: Monday and Wednesday

Meeting Times: 9:30 - 10:45 am

Course Description: This course will provide an understanding of liberation theology as a social movement as well as the Vatican's reaction to this radical variant of Catholic social thought.  In addition to a political-sociological examination of the liberation theology movement in Latin America, we will consider Vatican statements concerning Catholic social doctrine that are both supportive and critical of the movement.    

Learning Objectives: The objectives of this course are as follows:

• To understand the meaning and arguments of Liberation Theology
• To understand the factors that gave rise to Liberation Theology
• To understand the Vatican's critique of Liberation Theology
• To understand the political implications of Liberation Theology
• To clearly express in writing the objectives above

Assessment: Grading will consist of four essays, each worth 20% of the grade.  Class participation will account for the remaining 20% of the grade.

Required Text/Readings:

1. Christian Smith, The Emergence of Liberation Theology: Radical Religion and Social Movement Theory (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1991).

2. Supplemental Readings that I will supply electronically via Blackboard (listed as SR on next page).

Policies: I will expect all students to come on time to every single class. If you are absent your participation grade will suffer. I will make exceptions only for students with valid, documented reasons for their absence. Students must complete all graded work in order to pass the course. I encourage you to see me during office hours or at other times by appointment.

Liberation Theology and the Vatican Response

Political Science 300

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week   Topics                                                                                      Assignments

1          History of Liberation Theology                                              Smith Intro & 1

            Catholic Social Thought (Rerum Novarum)                           SR #1

2          What is Liberation Theology                                                  Smith 2

            A Critique of Radical Catholicism                                         SR #2

3          Social Movement Theory (theoretical tools)                           Smith 3

            Radical Catholicism and Political Mobilization                      SR#3  

4          The Historical Context: 1930-1955                                        Smith 4

            Quadragesimo Anno   (paper 1 due)                                     SR#4

5          From the Creation of CELAM to Vatican II: 1955-1965      Smith 5

            Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris                                  SR#5&6

6          From Vatican II to Medellin: 1965-1968                               Smith 6

            Gaudium et Spes                                                                     SR#7

7          Making Medellin (mid-term on 20 Oct)                                 Smith 7

            Medellin documents                                                               SR#8

8          From Medellin to Sucre: 1968-1972                                       Smith 8

            Socialism and Liberation Theology (paper 2 due)                 SR#9

9          From Sucre to Puebla: 1972-1979                                          Smith 9

            Puebla documents                                                                   SR#10

10        Liberation Theology since Puebla                                           Smith 10 & Conclusion

            Guest speaker (TBD)                                                              SR#11

11        El Salvador Case Study                                                          SR#12

12        The Vatican's Perspective

            Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Documents         SR# 13                                   

13        Liberation Theology Today                                                    SR#14            

            CELAM Conference in 2007 (paper 3 due)            

Final Exam - final paper due (TBD)
GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS

NOTE: Read these guidelines closely before starting and turning in your papers.

Content: Each paper will be a critical, thoughtful assessment of Liberation Theology. 

• The first paper must demonstrate that you fully understand the basic principles and meaning of Liberation Theology. 

• The second paper will focus on the causes of Liberation Theology.  In this paper, you will make it clear that you understand the potential reasons for the emergence of radical Catholicism in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s.

• In the third paper, you will demonstrate an understanding of the reasons why the Vatican was concerned about, and at times seemed to be against, Liberation Theology. 

• In the fourth paper, you will show that you understand the political ramifications of Liberation Theology.  The goal is to write four essays that are complementary but not repetitive.

Requirements: Your paper must be at least four full pages in length and no more than five pages in length. You must format your paper as follows: use Times New Roman font (12-pitch) and 1” margins (top, bottom, left and right). You must also have a title for your paper (give some thought to your title; “Term paper,” is not a good title). Any good essay must have an introduction and a conclusion. You must cite the textbook and the supplemental readings. If you have any question about the writing assignments, do not hesitate to ask them in class or during my office hours.

Late Penalties: Papers are due at the start of class on the dates listed above. I will penalize a paper assignment 2% if not turned in during class, and 5% for each calendar day it is turned in late (up to 25%). You must turn in a hard copy of your papers. I will accept electronic copies only in exceptional cases.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a very serious offense. If I have evidence that a student plagiarized a paper, or even a part of a paper, that student will received a zero in the assignment. Please keep in mind that most students who get a zero on 20% of the course grade will most likely fail the course. If you are unfamiliar with what constitutes plagiarism, refer to the Undergraduate Studies Catalogue for clarification.