From the very beginnings of the Seminary of the Southwest, our pattern of common life has been shaped by a deliberate decision to take part in the life of Austin and the central and south Texas region rather than live as an enclosed community.

A distinctive feature of our mission-oriented curriculum is the emphasis on the mission of the church in a pluralistic social context, with a special focus on Latino culture. Multi­cultural course offerings and other opportunities provide all students with a theological education that is multicultural to the core.

Hispanic Studies at ETSS
Hispanic Studies prepares graduates for ministry in multicultural society with a focus on Hispanic contexts. All courses in the seminary contain a missional and multicultural orientation. Students learn Hispanic and other racial/ethnic minority perspectives throughout the course of their seminary program. Gender and class issues are important aspects of this study. First year students attend a three-week immersion course in a Mexican-American setting in January, followed by an intensive four-week course titled "Missiology in a Multicultural Context." These two required courses lay the foundation for the development of a pastoral and theological paradigm that takes into consideration the pluralistic nature of our society.

Each ETSS faculty member was paired with a Hispanic scholar in his or her academic field during the 2000-01 academic year. The purpose of their collaborations was to enhance seminary courses by including Hispanic issues, perspectives and content wherever possible, in addition to exploring the general issue of cross-culturalism in theological education. Each scholar visited the ETSS campus to consult with seminary professors in person. Their dialogues continued through the academic year and culminated in a March conference when all scholars returned to campus. Much of that collaboration continues during this academic year.

Students who want to develop specialized skills in Hispanic ministry can take elective courses in Hispanic Studies throughout their seminary program. Students are placed in a Hispanic or African-American setting for one of their field education courses. The seminary is a sponsoring institution of the Hispanic Summer Program. Hispanic students are encouraged to attend this two-week course of study in various theological disciplines. Non-Hispanic students who have demonstrated a commitment to Hispanic ministry are also eligible to attend. Finally, Spanish language courses are offered on a regular basis.

ETSS Seminarians in the Rio Grande Valley -- As part of their January Term immersion course, "Mission in a Multicultural Context," junior seminarians travel to the Rio Grande Valley to a colonia along the Mexico-Texas border. View photos.

Center for Hispanic Ministries
ETSS benefits in a variety of ways from the presence on campus of the Center for Hispanic Ministries, which was created by joint action of the Seminary and Province Seven. Its purpose is to inspire and enable churches of the Southwest to minister more effectively to the changing populations of their locales, and it sponsors a variety of programs aimed at reaching that goal. The Rev. Jaime Case, ETSS '94, is the center's executive director.

Spanish Language Study
The Seminary will provide for ordinands, at the request of their bishops, instruction in conversational Spanish and in the use of Spanish in corporate worship. The instruction may be given in Austin, San Antonio, or during the summer, in Mexico. A course in intensive Spanish is offered in the January Term, and is open to all students for full credit.

English Language Instruction
Proficiency in English is necessary for study at ETSS even though some classes are offered bilingually. Foreign students whose English is less than adequate may be admitted for a period of study at the University of Texas' intensive English program before beginning their theological courses. Persons interested in this possibility should request further information from the office of the Seminary Dean.

Special Assistance
Although opportunity varies from year to year, the Seminary offers several types of special assistance in addition to the Spanish and English language instruction described above. These may encompass tutorial assistance in particular courses or help with English composition, analysis and argument (logic), or speech (for preaching and liturgical reading).

Additional Hispanic Studies at ETSS website
Professor Paul Barton has compiled this website as an electronic resource for persons involved in Hispanic theological education, Hispanic ministry and the study of Latino/a religion.

Episcopal Church website for Hispanic/Latino Episcopalians