Religion in American Media and Pop Culture

Harvard Summer School

RELI S-1508

Section 1

CRN 36038

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This course introduces students to religion, media, and American popular culture. The course examines how religious and spiritual ideas, practices, and communities are being reshaped by television, films, the internet, mobile devices, and popular culture. How are electronic media changing American values and behaviors? How might we understand the relationship between American Christians and American popular culture? Have sports, television, or entertainment replaced older ways of being religious? Is our modern media environment hostile to faith, or is it spiritual in wholly new and unexpected ways? We explore these questions and others through readings, films, videos, websites, and other forms of new media.

Credits: 4

Term

Summer Term 2026

Part of Term

Full Term

Format

Online or On Campus

Credit Status

Graduate, Noncredit, Undergraduate

Section Status

Open

Instructor Info

Christopher Glen White, PhD

Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Religion, Vassar College

Meeting Info

MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm (6/22 - 8/7)

Participation Option: On Campus, Online Asynchronous or Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register:

Notes

Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. See minimum technology requirements. Harvard College students: This course is eligible for degree credit, but see important policy information.

Tuition

All Sections of this Course

CRN	Section #	Participation Option(s)	Instructor	Section Status	Meets	Term Dates
36038	1	On Campus, Online Asynchronous, Online Synchronous	Christopher White	Open	MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm	Jun 22 to Aug 7