Professional Biography

Peter Christenson specializes in media studies and teaches a variety of courses related to the role of media in contemporary society. His research interests focus on the impact of media on children and adolescents, with a particular emphasis on popular music. An avid sports fan, Peter can often be seen in the stands at LC athletic events. He grew up in Eugene, home of the University of Oregon, and travels down to Eugene each fall to root the Ducks on to gridiron victory. He’s also mighty fond of golf, hiking, and playing music (he plays blues harmonica and trumpet, and sometimes in public).

Publications

Peter has published a number of books, articles and reports, including “Booze, drugs and popular music: Trends in Substance Portrayals in the Billboard Top 100” (Substance Use and Misuse, 2011), “The Multicultural Implications of Popular Music” (in the 2008 Sage Handbook of Child Development, Multiculturalism and Mass Media), It’s Not Only Rock and Roll—Popular Music in the Lives of Adolescents (with Donald Roberts, 1998), Substance Abuse in Popular Movies and Music (1999), Substance Use in Popular Music Videos (2002), and Prime Time Teens (2004).  

Academic Credentials

Ph.D. 1980 Stanford University

M.A. 1973 University of Oregon

B.A. 1968 Dartmouth College