Defining Culture and Belonging in American History

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

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.