Essay Topic Hub

American
Essays

6,541+ paper examples, study guides & outlines

6,541 papers
1 subject area
UG & Grad levels
Free to browse
What is American?

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.

6,541 papers
Sort by:
Paper Undergraduate
Managing Workplace Diversity: Challenges and Strategies
Managing Diversity Diversity is a fact of American and International business and is a broader, more complex issue than one might initially believe. This paper will address the breadth and complexity of Diversity by reviewing: the nature of Diversity; legally protected classes within the United States; aspects of Diversity that fall outside the scope of U. S. legal protections; the benefits of Diversity for employers; the differences/challenges presented by Diversity for employers; general business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity; and suggested specific business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity. Though this paper cannot exhaustively address all aspects of Diversity, it is hoped that a review of all those aspects will give a good overview of modern businesses' Diversity issues and possible solutions. The nature of Diversity is shown to be much broader than the classes legally protected by U.S. Law; it also includes global issues created by international business and classes, such as our four generations of American workers, extending far beyond the narrow confines of U.S. law. As we have seen from our sources, there are many benefits for companies embracing Diversity, not only in "doing the right thing" but also in basic business advantages of greater employee skills, attraction for consumers and greater profitability. Despite these advantages, Diversity exposes businesses to differences/challenges, such as the attitude of some businesspeople; societal prejudice; different attitudes of different cultures; the apparent tendency of business to inadequately honor international cultural differences; prejudice against Middle-Eastern workers in view of 09/11; challenges when women & minorities are not proportionately represented in upper management; and challenges presented by the different traits and expectations of our four generations of American workers. In order to meet those differences/challenges, most sources seem to agree on general business adjustments/accommodations for Diversity, such as: recognition of Diversity; recognizing the need for Diversity Training; establishing a "corporate culture" embracing Diversity and inclusion through communication, clear policy and insistence on Diversity; Diversity coaching; a clear plan for company-wide Diversity, with the company acting as a "moderator" of those values; training involving a "top-to-bottom" approach in which Diversity values start with the CEO and move down and throughout the company. Finally, some sources have offered propositions, simple plans and very complex plans for Diversity programs, all of which seem to agree with the general principles that the positive embrace of Diversity must come from the highest reaches of a company, move down through company channels and spread throughout the company for the greatest success.
Paper Doctorate
Early Childhood Literacy Case Study: Differentiated Instruction
This is a very extended reflection. The reflection centers around a case study performed by the student. The case study of a student demonstrating struggles with literacy. The child that is the subject of the case study is in Early Childhood Education. The reflection is supposed to show the importance of differentiated instruction and understanding of the psychology of the struggling reader.
Paper Undergraduate
Medical Management of Adolescent Athletic Knee Fractures
C.W. is a 13-year old middle school student who was admitted to Antelope Valley hospital complaining of severe pain in the right knee while playing football in his Physical Education class at school. As the patient turned to run for a pass, he twisted his right knee and fell to the ground. C.W. reports that he immediately felt a snapping and popping sensation at his right knee and experienced severe pain. The patient's knee began to swell and deform following his fall, and he was unable to bear weight. The coach for the Physical Education class called 911, and C.W. was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital.
Research Paper Doctorate
Andrew Jackson and the Rise of American Egalitarianism
¶ … demise of traditional hierarchical distinctions in the fifty years after the American Revolution. It is easy to see how America changed from a hierarchical society to an egalitarian world that supported social…
Paper Undergraduate
2008 Global Automotive Crisis: Causes, Effects & Recovery
In this paper, we will review the effects of 2008 global automotive crisis. Our main focus will be on the American car manufacturers and the negative impact they suffered due to the crisis. We will also have a look at how this crisis had affected car manufacturers in other major markets around the world notably Europe, Canada and the prominent Asian markets such as China and India. Finally, we will look at some of the other factors which were important to this event namely the energy crisis since the cost of fuel is directly related to the car industry.
Essay Doctorate
The Role of an Operations Manager in Business
The duties and responsibilities of an operations manager in today's business environment require a very competent and capable person who is well versed in everything from person-to-person communication to advanced software functioning. This paper uses the literature to describe the job of operations manager, and uses Riordan Manufacturing as an example of a company where the duties of an operations manager must be excellently performed.
Research Paper Doctorate
First-Year Teacher Challenges: Realities vs. Expectations
Reflection on "The First Year": Conditions and Realities Facing the First Year Teacher
Research Paper Doctorate
Minority Women, Media Portrayals, and Employment Inequality
Although the media has come a long way during the past few decades, there is still inequity among television programming and ethnic stereotyping within the media in general, and many feel that ethnic women, in…
Research Paper Doctorate
Boris Karloff: Life, Career, and Horror Film Legacy
Career of Boris Karloff - Monster's Best Friend
Paper Doctorate
Communication Challenges in Nursing Home Care Across Income Levels
¶ … local area has an interesting blend of nursing homes because of the socio-economic make-up of the community. Parts of the community are incredibly wealthy, and there is a fancy retirement community in the area with…