From Crash Course. To some, Marxism is the solution to all capitalism’s problems. To others, it’s a major threat to democracy. But what did Karl Marx really say about capitalism and communism, and how can that help shape our discussions today? Crash Course Political Theory #6 Introduction: "The Specter of Communism" 00:00 Who Was Marx…

From Crash Course. Rituals aren’t meaningless actions. They can mark time and space, create new identities, and connect people to something bigger than themselves. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we explore the rituals that shape our lives—whether religious or not. Introduction: Prayer & Public Speaking 00:00 What Is Ritual? 1:10 Why Do Rituals…

From Crash Course. What if a person is a good leader… and a bad person? In this episode of Crash Course Political Theory, we unpack that idea through the lens of Machiavelli’s famous treatise, “The Prince,” and find more questions than answers. Crash Course Political Theory #5 Introduction: "Bad" Politicians 00:00 Machiavelli 1:06 "The Prince"…

From Crash Course. Sacred texts mean different things to different religions—sometimes they’re essential to belief and practice, and other times, not much importance is placed on them at all. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we dive into the different ways religious texts are used, debated, and venerated across various traditions. Introduction: The Religious…

From Crash Course. Is war ever justified, and how could we tell if it were? In this episode of Crash Course Political Theory, we tackle Just War Theory through the lens of one of the most contentious conflicts in the past few decades: the Iraq War. Crash Course Political Theory #4 Introduction: The Iraq War…

From Crash Course. Atheism is far from new, but the various ways that people say “no thank you” to belief in gods, deities, or particular religions are so diverse that they’ve had a huge impact on world belief systems. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we break down the different flavors of atheism and…

From Crash Course. A large proportion of Chinese people believe in a god—yet most report they don’t belong to any religion. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll learn about two of the Three Teachings of China—Confucianism and Daoism—and explore why Chinese religious practice is much more fluid than the question “What religion do…

From Crash Course. Should our government ignore our identities or focus on them? In this episode of Crash Course Political Theory, we’ll explore the role identity plays in politics and government, from affirmative action to white backlash, and ask, “What is fair?” Crash Course Political Theory #3 Introduction: Affirmative Action 00:00 The Social Contract 00:57…

From Crash Course. African religions include Islam and Christianity, but also hundreds of diverse and complex indigenous religions. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we explore those traditions and how, when forced intro adaption-mode as a result of the slave trade, they became a unique blend of cultural influences in the African diaspora. Introduction:…

From Crash Course. Liberty and the rights of individuals form the backbone of American politics. But what is “liberty” anyway? In this episode of Crash Course Political Theory, we learn the fundamentals of Classical Liberalism and how 17th-century philosophers impact politics today. Crash Course Political Theory #2 Introduction: Is Democracy Broken? 00:00 Classical Liberalism 00:37…

From Crash Course. Many Muslims believe it’s their religious duty to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. But how do they do it in space? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we dig into the beliefs, pillars, and spread of Islam, from the astronomers who charted stars…

From Crash Course. A government by the people, for the people sounds like a good idea. But is democracy really all it’s cracked up to be? In this episode of Crash Course Political Theory, we’ll learn democracy has had its fair share of critics, past and present. And even those in favor of the idea…

From Crash Course. Christianity isn’t just about Jesus. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we explore the many faces of the world’s most popular religion—its denominations, commonalities, and complexities. Introduction: Do Miracles Matter? 00:00 Demographics & Denominations 01:48 Pentecostalism 03:06 Christian Commonalities 05:19 Jesus 08:32 Review & Credits 11:04 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IRPhziWfx72dIlGC1xIuEPWqb_uwnumdtYnmmsR4jto/edit?usp=sharing *** Support us for…

From Crash Course. Welcome to Crash Course Political Theory! Over the next 13 episodes, Ellie Anderson will introduce you to the perspectives of political thinkers past and present, and explore how political theories apply to the most burning questions of our time. We’ll compare arguments, trace the origins of contemporary theories, and develop the skills…

From Crash Course. What does it mean to be Jewish? Is it being part of a religion, a people, a culture, a nation? All of the above? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll uncover how Jewish identity has been shaped by centuries of debate and deliberation. Introduction: Shabbat Toothbrushes 00:00 The Many Versions…

From Crash Course. What does it mean for a river to be a person? An ancestor, even? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll learn how Indigenous religious traditions’ emphasis on place, kinship, and diverse spirits challenge the dominant assumptions of the Western worldview. Introduction: The Whanganui River 00:00 Indigenous Religion? 00:55 Indigenous Beliefs…

From Crash Course. Getting stuck in a video game can be frustrating—especially when that game is the cycle of suffering. In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll explore the ways Buddhists try to leave that suffering behind and reach enlightenment, using the teachings of the Buddha, the three jewels, the four noble truths, and…

From Crash Course. What does it mean to be Hindu? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll learn about the surprising history of the term “Hindu,” what the word “karma” really means, and how this vast, sprawling tradition contains more than one version of a story. Introduction: Hindu Celebrations 00:00 Hindu Creation Stories 00:37…