Searching for Truth(iness): Mapping the Religio-Political Landscape and Identity of Christian Emerging Adults Through a Reception Study of the Colbert Report

<p>Utilizing textual analysis and in-depth interviews of self-identified Christian participants ages 18-35 (n=20), this dissertation explores the way Comedy Central's <em>The Colbert Report</em> portrays Christianity, how young Christian viewers negotiate their religio-political identity in relation to the show, and what this negotiation says about the religio-political landscape of Christian emerging adults (19-29) (Arnett, 2004) in the United States. I conclude that <em>The Colbert Report</em> provides a contextual occasion for critical religio-political reflection, and that Christian emerging adults of myriad Christian subcultures negotiate their religio-political identity in relation to <em>The Colbert Report</em> to varying degrees as they select differing reference points within the show as a means of shaping and strengthening previous and ongoing identity markers.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Dierberg, Jill Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lynn Schofield Clark, Ph.D.
• Diane Waldman
• Antony Alumkal

• Colbert
• Emerging adults
• Identity
• Christian Denominations and Sects
• Religion

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/798

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1797