Richard Wightman-Fox

USC prof to address religion and American pop culture

Northern Arizona University's Honors Program is hosting the final seminar in its Phi Theta Kappa seminar series on pop culture, "Jesus in America: Personal Savior and Cultural Hero," presented by Richard Wightman-Fox, history professor at the University of Southern California. Phi Theta Kappa will broadcast the interactive seminar by satellite to NAU on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in room 246 of the Communication building.

Wightman-Fox specializes in American cultural and intellectual history of the 19th and 20th centuries, and is author of several books, including his latest, Jesus in America: Personal Savior, Cultural Hero, National Obsession.

Wightman-Fox will address how and why religious and secular Americans have been so attached to Jesus for more than four centuries. He will use contemporary examples, such as "What Would Jesus Do" (WWJD) armbands and films like Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ to illustrate our dichotomous relationship with Jesus.

More information on this seminar series, and this specific seminar, can be found here.