America's culinary traditions have been shaped by European tastes in food, so you could get creative and examine some European influences on American cooking. Specifically focus on countries such as England, France, Spain, Italy and Russia. Talk about how some American restauranteurs developed classic menus that were patterned after European customs and whether these influences are just as strong today.
Explore the gender roles that occurred during the formation of the American education system. Focus specifically on the gendered notions of curriculum which existed in schools historically. For example, discuss how, particularly in the South, young girls were primarily trained for marriage and motherhood even though they received some liberal arts studies. Also discuss the tension that resulted when more women entered major universities as students and workers.
Throughout America's long history, minorities have fought in wars: World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the current War on Terror. Discuss some of the ways in which prejudice toward minority soldiers took its toll on their families back home. Did this bring the families closer together, or cause a breakdown in the family structure?