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Peter Fraser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department Chair, Communication and the Arts, Language and Literature, General Education
- Hometown: Chicago, IL
- Education: B.A., English major, U. of Illinois at Chicago, 1980; MA, American Literature, U. of Illinois at Chicago, 1983; MA, Church History and Theology, Wheaton College Graduate School, 1984; PhD, Literature with specialty in Film and Popular Culture, U. of Illinois at Chicago 1990.
- Areas of Expertise or Research: Christianity and Film, principally the influence of Christian liturgical and theological concepts on certain genres in world film; American Literature, principally the Puritan influence on the development of American literary themes;
- Awards/Distinctions: Phi Beta Kappa, Iota of Illinois, 1980; Irene Kogan Fellowship for Literary Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1985; Faith in Action Award, HOPE Christians Schools, 2008.
- Office Location: LIB 209 E
- Contact phone: 757-352-4562
- Contact email: pfraser@regent.edu
Biography
Dr. Fraser joined Regent's community in the summer of 2010 after a long career teaching literature at three different colleges and a three-year stint as Executive Director of a Christian, college-prep high school in Milwaukee's inner city. His teaching career began as a lecturer in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the mid 1980s and then included two tenures at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee and one at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. In the year 2000, while serving at Wisconsin Lutheran College, he created and directed an Urban evangelism program that has reached hundreds of young people in Milwaukee, an effort that culminated in his three years of work developing the curriculum and culture of HOPE Christian High School in that city. He comes with a great deal of enthusiasm for the history and mission of Regent University and the commitment of the school's administration and faculty to that heritage.
Dr. Fraser's specialty is the influence of Christian liturgy and theology on several genres of world film. His 1998 book, titled Images of the Passion: a Sacramental Mode in Film, was used in film classes at Regent long before Dr. Fraser arrived. It explores the various ways Christianity has influenced the structure of international films. A subsequent book called Reviewing the Movies: a Christian Response to Contemporary Film, part of Crossway's Focal Point Series, provides a way for lay Christians to begin asking the important questions about the films that dominate popular culture. He is currently working on a new book examining the narratives that play under the surface of horror film.
Dr. Fraser resides in Portsmouth with his wife, Monica, and five children. Beyond morning walks along the Elizabeth River with his wife, he most enjoys cooking, talking about books with friends, and, of course, watching old movies.
