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The concept of "American" as a subject of study spans disciplines ranging from history and sociology to literature and cultural studies. It invites students to examine what defines American identity, society, and values — questions that resist simple answers. Courses in world studies, American history, and cultural analysis regularly ask students to interrogate the idea of America as both a geographic place and an evolving set of ideals. Works like J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur's 1782 letter posing the question "What Is an American?" and figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Amiri Baraka serve as anchors for exploring how American identity has been constructed, contested, and redefined across centuries.

Student papers on this topic take a wide range of approaches. Comparative essays examine American values alongside European or Asian counterparts, or place historical periods like the Progressive Era and the New Deal in direct contrast. Other papers use case studies to analyze specific social and political developments — the Abolition Movement, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the influence of Latin migration on American life. Cultural and media analysis appears as well, with papers exploring pop music in the 1980s, advertising's effect on dietary choices, and the evolution of the cell phone as a lens into American society.

A strong essay on an American studies topic works best when it anchors a broad theme in a specific argument. Effective evidence draws on policy documents, literary texts, historical events, or cultural artifacts rather than vague generalizations about national character. The most common pitfall is treating "America" as a monolith — successful essays acknowledge the diversity of voices, regions, and experiences that shape any aspect of American life.

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Paper Doctorate
Why Rehabilitation Is Favored Over Imprisonment for Drug Offenders
Why Rehabilitation Is Favored Over Imprisonment
Research Paper Undergraduate
Harlem from 1920 to 1960
Harlem has indeed been a mirror of the diversity that sums up the essence of the American nation. It is the social, economic, and political environment in which the African-American cultural individuality has integrated…
Paper Undergraduate
Tobacco Industry: Where Business Meets
Whether they like to puff up each night before bed, live in the smoking section, and have a jeweled case for their cigarettes, or they walk out of their way to avoid the smoker in the parking lot and would rather sleep…
Paper Doctorate
Cultural differences in international contexts
Acculturation and cultural identity are both valuable tools in our understanding of cultural differences, and are surrounded by a fair amount of discourse and political controversy.
Research Paper Undergraduate
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman -- Legend and woman of mystery
Research Paper Undergraduate
Childhood obesity: causes, health effects, and prevention strategies
EVALUATION of CONTEMPORARY TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Paper Undergraduate
Violent Juveniles Removed From Homes
The legal relationship between the Americans and Native Americans has long been one that ensured the European descendants of the earlier settlers had and would retain legal domain over the territory and lands originally…
Paper Doctorate
Federal response to domestic terrorism versus international counterterrorism efforts
For many people, terrorism was first brought to their attention after the events surrounding September 11th. As they were quickly made aware of the underlying threats that these groups can be.
Paper Undergraduate
Predominantly Latino Gangs, Mara Salvatrucha
This study focuses on the two predominantly Latino Gangs, Mara Salvatrucha (aka MS-13), and the 18th Street Gang operating on the streets of communities across America. This study is significant because it will provide a snapshot in time concerning how these violent gangs operate in this country in ways that can inform and alert both civilian society and government agencies concerning optimal responses to the problem created by these gangs. Through a quantitative and qualitative analysis of documentary evidence and governmental statistics about the Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street Gang, this study developed several conclusive findings on the negative effects of these groups in the United States. The Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street Gang are becoming transnational criminal organizations given the fact that they originated in Central America and Mexico and have since expanded their operations abroad. Despite efforts by national and international law enforcement to curtail these gangs' criminal behaviors, they maintain their ties with their gang associates in these countries. Moreover, gang members engage in criminal activities that were highly organized. They also moved through networks that continued to gain sophistication. Drug trafficking, gun running, violence, robbery, extortion are some of the heinous crimes committed by these groups. These gangs disturb peace and order in the community, destroy personal properties and endanger the lives of citizens. These two gangs may establish an organized criminal enterprise capable of coordinating illegal activities across national borders. Nonetheless, with complete disregard to the laws of this land including immigration laws, these groups are considered a threat to the security of the country, but this level is considered comparable to any highly organized street gang that supports its activities with criminal enterprises. In sum, , the dangers posed by Mara Salvatrucha and the 18th Street as well as other comparable criminal organizations should not be underestimated.
Paper Doctorate
Cyber-Crime, Cyber-Terrorism, and Cyber-Warfare Since
Review of the major types of threats from cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and cyberwarfare. Provides a historical account of the nature of the threats, the vulnerabilities of international superpowers to remote cyberattacks from foreign adversaries, and a breakdown of major national and international cyber incidents since 2007.