Christianity and culture

This mixed methods research study explored students’ perceptions of Christian
campus culture at three Christian institutions of higher education. The aim of this study
was threefold: to comprehend why students want to obtain an education within a
Christian campus culture; to understand students’ perceptions of and experiences with the
Christian campus culture at their Christian university/college; and to decipher the
presence of predominant characteristics of Christian campus culture at all three Christian
institutions. Qualitative and quantitative data demonstrated that while many students
attend their Christian institution due to personal conviction or their Christian identity,
other students attend their Christian university or college because it was the best financial
decision for them. Additionally, students often indicated that there was not one sole
reason for their choice of school, but a combination of various factors that influenced
their decision. Additionally, this research study was able to gain insight into students’
perceptions and experiences with Christian campus culture. Interestingly, the major
components that were vital to each research site’s environment were present at all three
research sites. Therefore, while each institution varied in size, student population, and
location, the most frequently noted characteristics were seen at all three Christian
institutions. Students often described their environment, the “bubble,” as limiting but
safe. However, students also mentioned that the sense of community that they felt within
their Christian campus culture encouraged them to interact with people—students,
professors, and staff—that were invested in them academically, socially, and spiritually.
Students also noted that their institutions make a conscious effort to create an
academic environment that integrates faith and learning. In both the quantitative and
qualitative data, students pointed to Bible classes and chapel as evidence of their
institution’s integration of faith and learning (IFL). Upon further discussion, the
participants stated that IFL was often in the way that their professors taught and
interacted with them. While IFL remained an integral part of students’ experience with
Christian campus culture, students continued to emphasize their invested professors as
quintessential features not just in the classroom but also throughout their Christian
campus environment.

In 2004, Mel Gibson released The Passion of the Christ, a film that focuses specifically on the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Over a year before its release and well ahead of any studio publicity, the film and its director were at the center of a discussion that sparked criticism from biblical scholars, Jesus historians, and members of the media. In spite, or perhaps because, of this controversy, The Passion was well-received by its audiences if not by its critics. This dissertation explores the cultural, political, and economic factors that led to the box office success of Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ and also examines why viewers identified with Jesus, the protagonist of the film. First, this project places the success of The Passion of the Christ in socio-historical and political-economic context of 2004, emphasizing the popularity of neoliberal economic policies, conservative political thought, and Evangelical Christianity. Second, this project explores the specific political and economic arrangements that facilitated the making of the film at Cinecitta studios in Rome. The ease with which Gibson was able to make The Passion outside of the United States is a direct result of neoliberal economic policies that emphasize free trade and, in the process, undermine trade unions and film industry laborers. Third, in addition to a macro- and micro-level political economic analysis of The Passion of the Christ, this project also examines the film as it fits into the horror genre. Horror not only seeks to elicit an immediate visceral reaction from audience members but also manifests the political and economic insecurities of society. Finally, this project connects the film text to these anxieties, including the war on terror, the war in Iraq, and an extended crisis of masculinity.