Gaston Espinosa, assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies, has coauthored Rethinking Latino(a) Religion And Identity (Pilgrim Press, 2006), analyzing the various ways scholars study, interpret, and theorize U.S. Latino religions in the United States. It challenges and revises a number of previous theories and assumptions about Latino religions and identity, and explores the dynamic work of a new generation of scholars.
"The book critically analyzes the major theories, methods, and paradigms in the field of U.S. Latino religions over the past thirty years," Espinosa says. In particular, it explores key themes, terms, topics, and approaches like mestizo, mulatez, machismo, sexuality, liberation theology, Latina feminism, multiple religious identities, Chicana(o) literature and art, and religion and political power.
Espinosa's essays explore such topics as "History and Theory in the Study of Mexican American Religions" and "Methodological Reflections on Social Science Research on Latino Religions."
"The book challenges the field to engage in critical self-reflection and to explore new theories, methods, and subjects in the 21st century," Espinosa says.
Samantha Stecker '08