Bethany Peterson '20

What “wicked problem” did you study?

Young women are using media, rather than church structures, for spiritual formation. I studied blogger/influencer culture to understand how women have used media to gain credibility and authority to teach in the evangelical world.

Why IDS?

I chose IDS because it offered me a unique chance to study what I was passionate about. I didn't feel excited about pursuing a traditional major during my college career, and this program allowed me to take classes in multiple disciplines, thereby exposing me to different ways of thinking and understanding the world. 

What do you value about the IDS program at Wheaton College?

I've valued the emphasis on integration in the IDS program. We learn about many different disciplines and topics in a liberal arts education, but the IDS program forces me to think about the connections between seemingly opposite methods of studying. I've been able to see these paths are actually interrelated and dependent on each other to solve complex problems that often defy simple solutions.

What would you say to someone who is considering the IDS major?

My advice would be to think as creatively as possible when considering this program. Even if you have an idea of what disciplines you'd want to include or which classes you'd want to take, keep an open mind about what is really the most relevant to what you're passionate about. The only way to keep yourself motivated in a more independent major track like IDS is to be totally dedicated to what you love to study and keep pursuing new ways of looking at your "wicked problem." Don't sell yourself short by making all the decisions about what you should do and who you think you are before you walk in the door.

What is your final project title?

Digital Spirituality: How Bloggers and Influencers Shape the Faith of the Next Generation.

What is your final project abstract?

Mass media, especially blogs and social media, has provided new opportunities for women to use their spiritual gifts online and shape new methods of teaching and connecting with other women. However, these platforms have hidden costs as they provide narratives of identity and value that are contrary to biblical truth. As young women turn more and more to the digital world, rather than church structures, for mentorship and fellowship, they are shaped by these technologies as well as the mixed messages from online celebrity figures. Churches have overlooked the pervasive impacts of blogging/influencer culture on young women for too long, and need to engage with the digital world to ensure that women are thriving within the church and online.