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. It begins with an introductory unit on religion, spirituality, and new electronic media. The course then examines how religious ideas, practices, and communities are being reshaped by television, films, the internet, mobile devices, and popular culture. How are electronic media changing religious 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 religious or spiritual in wholly new and unexpected ways? We explore these questions and others through readings, films, videos, websites, and other forms of new media.

Registration Closes: June 17, 2025
Credits: 4

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Term

Summer Term 2025

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

TTh 3:15pm - 6:15pm (6/23 - 8/8)

Participation Option: On Campus, Online Asynchronous or Online Synchronous

In online asynchronous courses, you are not required to attend class at a particular time. Instead you can complete the course work on your own schedule each week.

Deadlines

Last day to register: June 17, 2025

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. Harvard College students: This course is eligible for degree credit, but see important policy information.

Syllabus

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Tuition

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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 TTh 3:15pm - 6:15pm
 Jun 23 to Aug 8

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