Self and Identity

Hosted by Lily Gladstone, this episode of Crash Course Native American History explores the pivotal and diverse roles of Native women, Femmes, and Two-Spirit people from pre-contact times to the present day. It challenges the monolithic view of Native gender roles by highlighting the existence of matriarchal and matrilineal societies, such as the Diné (Navajo), where women hold significant economic and decision-making power. The video details historical figures like the warrior Buffalo Calf Road Woman and the diplomat Jikonsaseh, who helped found the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, illustrating that Native women have always served as leaders, healers, and protectors of their nations. The video also tackles the dark history of colonization and its specific targeting of Indigenous women to destabilize tribal societies. It addresses difficult topics including the imposition of European patriarchal values, the forced sterilization of thousands of Native women in the 1970s, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The narrative explains how settler colonialism disrupted traditional gender balances and how systemic failures in law enforcement continue to impact Native communities today. Despite these challenges, the video emphasizes resilience and modern activism. It profiles influential leaders like Elouise Cobell, who successfully sued the U.S. government for billions in mismanagement of funds, and Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary. For the classroom, this resource is invaluable for teaching about gender studies, civil rights, and the complex legal and social history of Native Americans. It provides students with a nuanced understanding of how historical trauma and contemporary triumph coexist in Indigenous communities.

This installment of Crash Course Black American History explores the life, work, and enduring legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance who broke literary barriers. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video traces Hurston's journey from her childhood in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, through her education at Howard and Columbia Universities, to her rise as a uniquely anthropological storyteller. It examines how she utilized her training under Franz Boas to document Black Southern life and folklore with dignity and complexity, rather than using her characters merely as political symbols.

This educational video from Crash Course Black American History, hosted by Clint Smith, provides a comprehensive examination of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972). It details how the United States Public Health Service recruited 600 Black men in Macon County, Alabama, under the guise of receiving free health care, only to withhold life-saving treatment for syphilis to observe the disease's progression. The video explores the historical context of scientific racism that fueled the study, the specific unethical methodologies employed, and the devastating impact on the men, their families, and the broader Black community's trust in the medical system. The narrative delves into the complex layers of the study, including the role of the Great Depression and poverty in coercing participation, the lack of informed consent, and the involvement of Black medical professionals like Nurse Eunice Rivers. It highlights the eventual exposure of the study by whistleblower Peter Buxtun in 1972, the subsequent class-action lawsuit led by Fred Gray, and the resulting changes in medical ethics laws, including the National Research Act of 1974 and the establishment of Institutional Review Boards. For educators, this video is a powerful tool for teaching about bioethics, civil rights history, and systemic racism in healthcare. It connects historical events to contemporary issues, such as medical mistrust and health disparities, encouraging students to think critically about the responsibilities of scientific institutions. The video serves as a case study for understanding the importance of informed consent and the long-term sociological effects of unethical government actions.

In this episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, host Craig Benzine explores the complex psychology and political science behind how American voters make decisions at the ballot box. While we might like to think every vote is a carefully weighed policy decision, the video reveals that voting behavior is largely driven by three distinct factors: party loyalty, candidate characteristics, and specific political issues. Craig explains that for most voters, the single strongest predictor of their vote is simply the political party they identify with, often influenced by their family upbringing.

This educational video explores the complex and often violent process of decolonization that reshaped the world following World War II. It examines how European powers lost control of their empires in Asia and Africa, highlighting the distinct paths to independence taken by nations such as India, China, Kenya, and Algeria. The narrative contrasts negotiated transfers of power with brutal wars of liberation, providing specific historical examples of the human cost involved in these transitions. Key themes include the impact of the Cold War on emerging nations, the concept of neo-imperialism, and the psychological dimensions of colonization as articulated by thinkers like Frantz Fanon. The video also discusses the phenomenon of reverse migration, where colonized peoples moved to Europe to rebuild war-torn infrastructure, facing racism and discrimination in the process. It connects these historical events to cultural shifts, such as the rejection of Western dress codes and the influence of immigrant musicians on Western pop culture. For educators, this video serves as a powerful resource for teaching 20th-century World or European History. It moves beyond simple dates and maps to address the nuances of post-colonial infrastructure, the economic dependence created by foreign aid systems, and the lasting legacy of partition violence. The video provides graphic primary source quotes that can spark deep classroom discussions about human rights, the ethics of war, and the ongoing challenges faced by the Global South.

This educational video explores the profound cultural and economic shifts that occurred in Western society following World War I, specifically focusing on the transition into the "Roaring Twenties." It connects the technological innovations and propaganda techniques developed during the war to the rise of modern consumer culture, mass marketing, and changing social norms. The narrator explains how wartime advancements in infrastructure, such as electricity and transportation, laid the groundwork for a boom in consumer goods, while psychological tactics used to sell the war were repurposed by figures like Edward Bernays to sell products.

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 episode of "Mia Marvels" takes students on a nostalgic and educational journey through the 2000s, exploring the decade's four most significant digital innovations: the iPod, video streaming sites, social media, and the smartphone. The video details how each technology emerged, revolutionized daily life and pop culture, and disrupted existing industries. From the shift to digital music and the rise of the "YouTuber" to the explosion of social networking and the consolidation of these tools into the iPhone, the narrative paints a clear picture of the digital revolution. Beyond just celebrating these advancements, the video critically examines the challenges and concerns they introduced. It addresses complex topics such as piracy and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the mental health impacts of screen time, the spread of misinformation through algorithms and echo chambers, and data privacy issues inherent in smartphone usage. This balanced approach ensures students understand both the utility and the societal costs of the technology they use every day. This resource is highly valuable for Social Studies, History, and Digital Citizenship classes. It provides clear definitions for terms like "piracy," "algorithm," and "echo chamber," making abstract concepts concrete. Teachers can use this video to spark discussions about media literacy, the evolution of communication, and the ethical responsibilities of digital citizens. It encourages students to critically reflect on their own relationship with technology and history.

This episode of Crash Course European History explores the complex and tragic history of witchcraft and witch hunting in Europe between the 15th and 18th centuries. Hosted by John Green, the video investigates why rational people in the early modern period believed in "unseen powers," how religious and political turmoil fueled paranoia, and the specific historical context that led to the execution of tens of thousands of people. It moves beyond stereotypes to examine the societal fears, print culture, and power dynamics that drove these persecutions. Key themes include the intersection of religion and magic, the role of the printing press (specifically the "Malleus Maleficarum") in standardizing and spreading fear, and the systemic misogyny that made women—particularly older women and those in healing professions—vulnerable targets. The video analyzes how the Reformation, the Counter-Reformation, and the lack of scientific explanation for natural disasters created a climate of anxiety where "witches" became scapegoats for societal misfortunes. For educators, this video offers a powerful opportunity to discuss "historical empathy"—understanding how people in the past made sense of their world without modern scientific knowledge. It provides a nuanced look at gender history, moving the narrative from simple folklore to a serious study of social control. The content is an excellent resource for AP European History or World History units, supporting critical thinking about how scapegoating functions in society and how belief systems shape historical events.

This educational video explores the complex concepts of culture and identity within the context of United States history. It challenges the viewer to look beyond stereotypes when defining what it means to be "American," moving past legal citizenship to examine cultural belonging. The lesson introduces key sociological terms—culture, stereotypes, assimilation, and acculturation—and uses them as lenses to view historical events and social dynamics. The video provides specific historical case studies to illustrate these concepts. It contrasts the forced assimilation of Native American children in government-funded boarding schools with the voluntary acculturation observed in immigrant communities like San Francisco's Chinatown. Through these examples, the video demonstrates how marginalized groups have resiliently preserved their heritage while adapting to life in the United States. This resource is highly valuable for Social Studies and U.S. History classrooms as it helps students distinguish between similar but distinct concepts like assimilation and acculturation. It fosters critical thinking about diversity and inclusion, encouraging students to recognize that the definition of an American is fluid and expansive rather than static or singular. The content serves as an excellent primer for units on immigration, Native American history, or sociology.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of the Interwar Period (roughly 1918–1939), exploring the profound shifts in art, science, and society that occurred between World War I and World War II. It begins by examining the psychological impact of the "Great War," including shell shock and the disillusionment of the "Lost Generation." The narrative then guides viewers through major artistic movements of the era, such as Cubism, Surrealism, and Art Deco, while highlighting how art was used globally—from the Harlem Renaissance to Mexican Muralism—to express identity, nationalism, and anticolonialism.

This educational video from Crash Course European History explores the profound cultural and intellectual shifts that occurred in Europe around the turn of the 20th century. Host John Green examines the rise of Modernism, a movement characterized by the rejection of traditional forms and the embrace of uncertainty, subjectivity, and innovation. The video covers the transition from Realism to Impressionism and Cubism in art, the departure from classical ballet in dance, and the move from Newtonian physics to Quantum Theory and Relativity in science. The content delves into key themes such as the breakdown of absolute truths, the exploration of the human subconscious, and the impact of non-European influences on Western culture. Significant figures like Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Einstein, and Pablo Picasso are discussed in depth, highlighting how their revolutionary ideas challenged the Enlightenment's focus on rationality and objective reality. The video illustrates how these disruptions in art, science, and philosophy mirrored the political and social upheavals of the era. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent synthesis of the intellectual history of the early 1900s. It provides a multidisciplinary approach, connecting visual arts, music, physics, and psychology to explain the "paradigm shift" that defined the modern era. The video is particularly useful for helping students understand abstract concepts like relativity, psychoanalysis, and existential philosophy by grounding them in their historical context and demonstrating how they shaped the 20th-century worldview.