Print this page The Politics of Christmas

Christmas is one of the world's most familiar celebrations—but also one of its most debated. This thought-provoking course explores the historical origins of Christmas, the blending of religious and cultural traditions, the emergence of Santa Claus, commercialisation, the influence of popular culture and recurring claims that Christmas is being "cancelled". Participants will also consider how Christmas is celebrated in multicultural societies and why debates around identity, tradition and religion continue to surround the festive season. Combining history, culture and contemporary discussion, this course offers fresh perspectives on a celebration many of us think we already know.

DELIVERY MODE

Hybrid (Face to face and online simultaneously)

COURSE RESOURCES

• Rittika Dhar: The Pagan Origins of Christmas: Saturnalia, Yule, and Other Pre-Christian Traditions, https://historycooperative.org/pagan-origins-of-christmas/
• How Coca Cola hijacked Santa and turned Christmas Red, https://www.historyoasis.com/post/coca-cola-santa-claus
• South Australia’s education department throws out parent’s claim Adelaide school had cancelled Christmas, https://7news.com.au/news/south-australias-education-department-throws-out-parents-claim-adelaide-school-had-cancelled-christmas-c-19996510
• Please bring along details of your own Christmas stories, traditions and controversies to discuss.

COURSE OUTLINE

• This course examines, over three weeks, the politics of navigating Christmas, the Christmas story and traditions, and the controversies that are never far away
• We look at the evolution of the way that Christmas is celebrated, how that has sometimes been hijacked, and even some bright moments
• Each week looks at different facets in an interactive way, providing students with the opportunity to share their own knowledge, experience and opinions.
• Sometimes controversial, always educational and often fun
• You'll also have the opportunity to share in some Christmas cheer and perhaps taste Christmas goodies you've never had before, or an old favourite.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify and critically analyse the origins of a wide range of Christmas traditions
• Identify the controversies associated with Christmas and its evolution.
• Evaluate the effect of commercialisation and other forces upon Christmas.
• Analyse and draw conclusions about the place of Christmas in a modern diverse society.
• Identify how to approach the (almost inevitable) Christmas arguments.
• Identify how to separate fact from fiction in Christmas controversies.