Crash Course
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…
From Crash Course. The word “magic” has dubious, demonic connotations. But is there really a difference between magic and religion? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll explore the history of magical practices and discover how modern-day witches, brujas, and Hoodoo practitioners are reclaiming the label. Introduction: Religion or Magic? 00:00 What is Magic?…
From Crash Course. How do smartphones and 3-D models change how we experience art? And even history itself? In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’ll learn how technology is shifting the ways we think about art’s past, present, and future. Crash Course Art History: Episode #22 Introduction: Trendy "Museums" 00:00 The Mosul Lion…
From Crash Course. What is a cult? How are cults different from religions? And why do many religious scholars say we shouldn’t even use that label? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll learn why the line between cults and religions is much fuzzier than it seems. Introduction: Is This a Cult? 00:00 From…
From Crash Course. Art tells the story of humanity across societies and cultures, but keeping that art around for future generations can be a monumental task. In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’ll learn how art historians preserve, restore, and conserve art that tells the story of who we are and who we…
From Crash Course. When we think of world religions, we often think of the Big Five: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. But why do we think of those? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll learn why “world religions” is a category constructed by human choices—and why that matters for the communities that…
From Crash Course. Art is the perfect tool for activists to get across their message and make people pay attention. In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’ll learn about the centuries-long practice of iconoclasm, how art intersects with protest movements, and what happens to artists when the authorities aren’t thrilled by their acts…
From Crash Course. In our last episode, Dr. Katie Mack and John Green discuss what the ultimate fate of the universe might look like. Head to https://policygenius.com/crashcourse to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. This show is a production of Complexly. If you want to help keep Crash…
From Crash Course. When is yoga religious, and when is it… not religious enough? In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we’ll find out why these frameworks we call “religions” are so hard to define, and why our definitions have real-life consequences. Introduction: Is Yoga a Religion? 00:00 What Are Religions? 01:32 The History of…
From Crash Course. What makes a painting worth millions of dollars? In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’re looking at the history behind today’s art industry and how we determine an artwork’s financial value. We’ll also learn how the big business of buying and selling art runs on imperialism, and how people in…
From Crash Course. Some of our Crash Course production team will take you through the process of sound designing an episode of Crash Course: Art History! This is one of our events for the first ever Complexly Learn-a-thon, an event created to celebrate SciShow, Study Hall, Crash Course – all of the shows that we…
From Crash Course. Welcome to Crash Course Religions! Over the next 24 episodes, John Green will explore the history and culture of religions and how they offer frameworks for making sense of our lives — while being incredibly slippery things to pin down. We’ll discover how we define, debate, and contest what religion means, whether…
From Crash Course. What’s the line between inspiration and flat-out appropriation? In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we grapple with questions about artistic originality and authenticity that have plagued the art world for hundreds of years. In today’s world of AI-generated art, it’s only getting more complicated. You will see a few AI-generated…
From Crash Course. In this episode, Dr. Katie Mack gives John Green an idea of what to expect for the future of our universe. Head to https://policygenius.com/crashcourse to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. *** Support us for $5/month on Patreon to keep Crash Course free for everyone…
From Crash Course. Independent public art like graffiti and street art often gets a bad rap, thanks to its legal classification as vandalism. But these art forms have much to offer as a means for people to speak truth to power and take ownership of community spaces. In this episode of Crash Course Art History,…
From Crash Course. From giant rock sculptures to Confederate statues, there’s something about public art that cranks up the temperature of debate. In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’ll learn about public art’s diversity of media, how it shapes collective identity, and why it seems to cause such intense controversy. Crash Course Art…