Defining Deviance

This episode of Crash Course Black American History explores the Stonewall Rebellion and the life of one of its most iconic figures, Marsha P. Johnson. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video details the systemic police harassment and criminalization of the LGBTQ+ community in the 1960s that led to the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969. It examines the myths and realities surrounding the rebellion, including the debated role of Johnson herself during the initial outbreak of resistance. The narrative broadens to cover the aftermath, including the first Pride parades and the formation of activist organizations like the Gay Liberation Front. The video provides a deep dive into the biography of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman who navigated homelessness, sex work, and severe mental health struggles while becoming a tireless advocate for gay rights. It highlights her friendship with Sylvia Rivera and their co-founding of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to support homeless transgender youth. The content addresses the complexities of historical figures, urging viewers to see Johnson not just as a two-dimensional hero, but as a complex human being who faced significant trauma, including sexual assault and institutionalization, yet remained a pivotal force for change. For educators, this video serves as a powerful resource for teaching the intersections of Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ history. It provides critical opportunities to discuss how laws and societal norms affect marginalized groups, the evolution of social justice movements from spontaneous protests to organized political action, and the importance of intersectionality in activism. The video also opens the door for nuanced discussions about historical memory, the reliability of oral histories versus written records, and how society chooses to remember its icons.

This educational video explores the complex and often subjective definitions of "hero" and "traitor" through three distinct case studies from American history. The narrator challenges students to look beyond simple definitions and consider how historical context, personal values, and perspective shape these labels. The video examines John Adams' controversial defense of British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, Colonel John Chivington's role in the horrific Sand Creek Massacre, and Carry Nation's radical "hatchetations" during the temperance movement. The video delves into deep ethical questions about justice, duty, and morality. It asks students to evaluate whether John Adams was a traitor to the colonial cause or a hero of justice for defending the enemy. It contrasts Chivington's self-proclaimed heroism in protecting settlers with the brutal reality of massacring peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho people. Finally, it analyzes Carry Nation's crusade against alcohol, asking if her violent methods undermined her virtuous goals. Each segment includes pauses for reflection and specific guiding questions. Teachers can use this video to foster critical thinking and historical analysis skills. It serves as an excellent anchor for lessons on the American Revolution, Native American history, or the Prohibition era. By presenting historical figures who defy easy categorization, the video encourages students to engage with nuance and ambiguity. It is particularly useful for sparking debates about the rule of law, the ethics of war, and the validity of different protest methods.

This educational video provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the events leading up to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Rather than focusing solely on the day itself, the content traces the geopolitical roots of the conflict back through the 20th century, examining Western intervention in West Asia, the discovery of oil, the Soviet-Afghan War, and the subsequent rise of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. It explains the motivations behind these extremist groups while carefully distinguishing their ideology from the Islamic faith practiced by billions worldwide. The video explores key themes of cause and effect in history, specifically how foreign policy decisions and international interventions can have long-term, often unforeseen consequences. It delves into the concepts of extremism, terrorism, and the complex relationship between the United States and West Asia. The narrative also addresses the aftermath of the attacks, highlighting the initial surge of patriotism in America as well as the unfortunate rise of Islamophobia, ultimately advocating for unity and understanding. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent tool for contextualizing 9/11 within a broader historical framework. It moves beyond the "what" to answer the "why," helping students understand the complex web of historical events that precipitated the attacks. The video features built-in review questions and pauses, making it ready-made for classroom instruction. It is particularly useful for units on U.S. history, global studies, and civics, providing a balanced perspective that encourages critical thinking about foreign policy and tolerance.

This episode of Crash Course Political Theory explores the history, philosophy, and future of the prison system. Host Ellie Anderson examines why societies punish, moving from historical corporal punishment to the development of the modern prison system in the late 1700s. The video breaks down complex concepts like Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon and Michel Foucault's theories on surveillance, helping students understand how physical structures and social observation influence human behavior.

This educational video explores the complex and often conflicting relationships between morality, legality, and justice within a democratic society. Through the use of relatable analogies like sharing a pizza and a footrace, the host breaks down abstract philosophical and civic concepts into understandable segments. The video defines each of the three core pillars—morality as subjective values, justice as fair treatment, and legality as what is permitted by law—while introducing students to historical philosophers like Kant and Mill, as well as modern neuroscientific perspectives on moral behavior. The content delves deep into different types of justice, including distributive, retributive, procedural, and social justice. It uses specific examples such as tax codes, drug policy enforcement, and self-defense laws to illustrate how these concepts apply to real-world governance. The video challenges viewers to think critically about why it is so difficult for a diverse society to agree on what is "right," highlighting the tension between individual moral compasses and collective legal frameworks. This resource is highly valuable for Civics, Government, and Philosophy classrooms. It provides a structured framework for discussing controversial topics by grounding them in academic definitions rather than opinion. Teachers can use the embedded pauses and guiding questions to facilitate class discussions on equity versus equality, the purpose of punishment, and the origins of our moral beliefs, helping students develop critical thinking and civic literacy skills.

This installment of Crash Course Geography explores the intricate relationship between culture, identity, and the physical environments humans create. Host Alizé Carrère introduces the field of cultural geography, demonstrating how abstract concepts like values, beliefs, and social norms leave a visible imprint on the world—known as the "cultural landscape." Using Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a primary case study, the video illustrates how diverse ethnic and religious groups coexist, mix, and influence the architecture, food, and daily life of a city. The video addresses complex and sensitive themes regarding how cultures interact, distinguishing between natural "acculturation" (mixing like a stew) and forced "assimilation" (erasing identity). It candidly discusses power dynamics, tackling heavy subjects such as the social construction of race, the history of indigenous residential schools, xenophobia, and the plight of stateless nations. By examining how dominant groups can marginalize others, the content provides a geographical framework for understanding social justice issues. For educators, this resource is invaluable for AP Human Geography, Sociology, and World History curriculums. It moves beyond simple definitions to foster critical thinking about how power shapes space and identity. The video provides clear vocabulary and engaging visual metaphors—like the "cultural canvas"—that help students decode the signals in their own neighborhoods while navigating difficult conversations about racism and historical trauma with empathy and academic rigor.

This educational video explores the concept of "community" through the lens of United States history, using three distinct historical case studies to answer the essential question: "What purpose do communities serve?" The video begins with a relatable analogy of a summer camp to define a community as a group sharing common interests or circumstances. It then transitions into a detailed examination of three specific American communities that formed for different reasons: economic opportunity, safety and cultural identity, and religious freedom. The content covers Deadwood, South Dakota, formed during the Gold Rush despite treaties with the Lakota Sioux; Greenwood (Black Wall Street) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed as a safe haven and economic hub for African Americans amidst segregation; and the Amana Colonies in Iowa, established by Pietists seeking religious freedom and a communal lifestyle. Each segment analyzes why the community formed, how it was structured, and how it evolved over time, touching on significant historical events like the violation of the Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Tulsa Race Massacre. Teachers can use this video to introduce units on sociology, Westward Expansion, or Civil Rights. It provides a structured framework for comparing different types of societal organizations and introduces complex historical realities—such as the displacement of Indigenous peoples and racial violence—in an accessible, age-appropriate manner. The video includes built-in pause points with graphic organizer prompts, making it an excellent tool for guided note-taking and comparative analysis in the classroom.

This installment of Crash Course Black American History provides an in-depth analysis of the "War on Drugs," examining its origins, implementation, and devastating impact on Black communities in the United States. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video traces the evolution of drug policy from the "War on Crime" in the 1960s under LBJ, through the official declaration by Richard Nixon, to the escalation under Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. It highlights how policies that were ostensibly about public safety evolved into mechanisms of mass incarceration that disproportionately targeted Black and Brown Americans.

This educational video provides a structured analysis of the moral arguments used both to oppose and to defend the institution of slavery in the United States. The lesson begins by introducing general concepts of morality through philosophers like Kant, Mill, and Confucius, before transitioning to the specific historical context of the 19th-century abolitionist movement. The host utilizes a comparative chart to organize arguments based on Christian principles, Enlightenment ideals, and concepts of natural rights.

This engaging educational video invites students on a virtual "field trip" to a museum of American fashion to explore how clothing trends have historically mirrored and catalyzed major societal shifts. Hosted by an energetic narrator named Mia, the video uses the lens of fashion to examine four distinct pillars of U.S. history: the environment, political change, the economy, and social change. Through specific artifacts like Levi's jeans, flapper dresses, flour sack clothing, and zoot suits, complex historical concepts are made tangible and relatable. Key themes include the relationship between natural resources and apparel (such as the impact of the feather trade on bird populations), the connection between women's suffrage and the liberation of female dress codes in the 1920s, and the stark contrast between the luxury of the Roaring Twenties and the resourcefulness required during the Great Depression. Additionally, the video delves into how fashion serves as cultural expression and a flashpoint for prejudice, specifically highlighting the Zoot Suit Riots and the Mexican-American experience during World War II. For educators, this resource offers a unique cross-disciplinary approach to teaching 20th-century American history. By anchoring abstract eras in concrete visual examples—like the transition from restrictive Victorian gowns to loose 1920s silhouettes—it helps students visualize the "spirit of the times." The video is structured with built-in pause points and guiding questions, making it an excellent tool for inquiry-based learning, prompting students to analyze how material culture reflects the values, struggles, and economics of the people who wear it.