CHRISTIANITY AND POP CULTURE
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The Dordt Difference This interdisciplinary major explores the connections between the “practices of everyday life” and Christian faith—focusing on how the social and cultural patterns humans create form and shape human identity. We’ll study the ways in which individuals and communities form an identity. We’ll explore the ideologies, social structures, and cultural patterns that shape the way we live in the world. We’ll examine the role of faith in the way we create and interact with the society and culture in which we live. If you’ve ever wondered about the answers to the questions below, then the Christianity and popular culture major is for you.
COMMON QUESTIONS • Is our human identity something we are born with or something we create? • Do our beliefs about what it means to be male and female come from nature or culture? • Do we shape culture or does culture shape us? • Where do our religious beliefs come from? • What if religion has as much to do with culture as it does faith? • Are there such things as good culture or bad culture? • Is there such a thing as Christian culture? • Is there a relationship between schools and prisons? • How does popular music reflect the historical and cultural experience of young people? • How has film influenced how humans make sense of the world? • How has social media affected the way humans relate to each other?
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES A semester-long internship option is available for the major. Dordt’s Christianity and popular culture major will help you:
• think critically • find creative and constructive solutions to problems • work in groups with people who have different expertise than your own • engage issues related to cultural diversity and globalization
THE PROGRAM You’ll take core courses in theology, philosophy, English, history, art, communication, linguistics, social work, and engineering (Technology and Society). You’ll choose additional elective courses from a variety of majors.
• express ideas creatively and clearly in both speech and writing • develop ethical thinking
You’ll have three ways to complete this major: • a 12–15 credit, semester-long internship in a student’s area of interest in consultation with faculty. • a second major or a minor from one of the following areas: philosophy, English, theology, history, art, digital media production, environmental studies, theatre arts, language studies, psychology, political science, music, or business. Choosing from a list of elective courses. You can also choose to do the seven-course minor in Christianity and popular culture. The television, film, or music industries are only the most obvious examples of career opportunities that demand an understanding of popular culture. Being able to make sense of and perhaps even predict cultural trends and how those trends influence people would be an immense asset to employers in the fields of business, digital media production, organizational psychology, and youth ministry, to name a few. Looking at specific career options related to a major is not always the best or even the most practical way to pick a college major. The Association of American Colleges and Universities website (www.aacu.org) notes that employers look for more than a specific major in a college graduate; they want employees with skills that can be adapted for our rapidly changing workplaces.
THE FACULTY Neal De Roo, Ph.D., Boston College. Teaches modern and contemporary philosophy, postmodernism, and Reformational/Christian philosophy. Neal.DeRoo@dordt.edu Benjamin Lappenga, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary. Teaches Bible courses and specializes in biblical languages and theological interpretation. Before his academic career, Dr. Lappenga volunteered with homeless youth in downtown Seattle and wrote and performed in a rock band. Benjamin.Lappenga@dordt.edu Jason Lief, Ph.D., Luther Seminary. Program coordinator; teaches theology, biblical studies, and youth ministry.
Jason.Lief@dordt.edu
Mark Tazelaar, Ph.D., Loyola University. Teaches courses in ancient and medieval philosophy, contemporary philosophy, philosophy of science, and the history of Christian philosophy. Mark.Tazelaar@dordt.edu July 2015