How do we come to view objects and artifacts as art? What terms and ideas do we associate with craft instead? The distinction between art and craft may be subtle, but has profound roots in art history and the development of western...

Just exactly what is social dancing? What does social dancing have to do with the African American community and African American history? The narrator of this short video explains how social dancing can support the culture of a...

George Méliès realized in the early days of cinema that, "Films have the ability to capture dreams." From classic movies like A Trip to the Moon, The Lost World, and Metropolis, to more modern marvels...

To take "the definitive portrait of that person in that moment" is the quest of photographer and hip-hop historian Jonathan Mannion. In this short video, Mannion details his dedication to his art and the process he goes through to catch...

The seventh episode in the a film history playlist takes a close look at the rise and fall of German cinema of the post-World War I period. The narrator uses The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and its expressionistic use of mise-en-scene to...

Did you know that some languages have no word for art? The English language does and the narrator of this short video discusses the aesthetic dimension of religious art as it "visually communicates meaning beyond language." 

What do Picasso, Matisse, and Gauguin have in common? They are all considered modern artists, a movement that began over 150 years ago. And despite the label, their work was influenced by artists much, much, older. Check out this video...

Why was there a lack of confidence in the money and banking system of the early United States government? What historical events led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve System? Here you'll find reading materials and worksheets to...

When was the year 0? Scholars view a short video clip on the history of humanity to determine just when to mark the start of human time. They analyze how the human population changed the earth and the structures of humanity, ultimately...

Young historians investigate World War I by watching a short video clip of art created by soldiers. As viewers analyze the pieces a clearer picture of the horrors of war comes to light. 

Before Bollywood movies, Sanskrit theater ruled the stage in ancient India. Learn about rasas, bhavas, and categories of plays through the seventh video in the Crash Course Theater series that explores the first type of theater to appear...

School children are not the only ones who have rules to follow! During the neoclassical period, the French established five main rules for plays. A video on theater history outlines those guidelines, as well as other elements of theater...

Believe it or not, German theater did not become established until years after theater in other European countries. A video describes the history of German theater starting in the late seventeenth century. After a discussion, viewers...

What's more fun than an all night demon dance party? Kathakali, a type of Indian drama and dance, is the topic of an informational video. Viewers gain an understanding of the history behind the style, as well as witness examples of...

Believe it or not, ancient Romans had a sense of humor—although it may have been a bit absurd. The fifth video in the Crash Course Theater series discusses the evolution of Roman drama, incorporating images and animations to help bring...

Why do people attempt to explain the unexplainable? Scholars explore the topic by learning about ancient philosophical thought experiements known as kōans. After watching a brief yet informative video, pupils answer questions and engage...

Ancient China is flooded with myths about deluges. Scholars explore Chinese flood myths using the 17th video from the Crash Course World Mythology series. Learners meet an emperor named Yu the Engineer, who worked tirelessly to end...

Science and art influence each other, and a visual study of dinosaurs based on artwork throughout time introduces an interesting topic. The video from the PBS Eons channel features Hank Green. It highlights artwork from the earliest...

Invite your learners to consider how the context of an artwork can alter its meaning and interpretation throughout its history by examining the intriguing history behind Michelangelo's statue of David. The video discusses...

In 2017 a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat was actioned off for over 110 million dollars. So who is he and what makes his art so special? Find out with a short video that details his background, influences, and his process.

Diego Velazquez's Las Meninas is the focus of a short video that examines the context and complexity of one of the most analyzed works in the history of art.

Combine music, acrobatics, dance, and mime, and you have Beijing opera. An informational video walks viewers through a timeline of Chinese theater, including the introduction of the opera. Comparisons to other forms of drama throughout...

Hollywood is the place to go if you want to make movies—right? Not necessarily. A fascinating video about the history of 20th century Asian cinema discusses the reflections of Japanese culture in the works of directors Yasujiro Ozu,...

Some of the boldest films in history have been documentaries or experimental films. Explore non-narrative cinema and its avant-garde techniques with a short video about a creative faction in film history. Additionally, the video...