What is the most important concept you learned in this course? Write this for a reader who is unfamiliar with the concept. One of the most important concepts I learned in class is assimilation theory. This theory is based on the adaptation that a certain ethnic group undergoes to adapt and survive in the new dominant society. For example, according to the book the United States is known for being a predominantly white cultural society, so many ethnic groups from all over the world who choose to come to the United States often have to assimilate and adapt to social and cultural norms. Assimilation theory affects many ethnic groups in the sense that it can change the way they behave and live in a society. Whenever another ethnic group immigrates to a place where a dominant ethnic group exists, it often must assimilate to the social, economic, and cultural behaviors and customs of the dominant group to survive. For example in the United States, there are many minority groups from all over the world who have immigrated to this country and often have to go through various changes and adaptations to fit into society and obtain citizenship of the country. These changes can pose a challenge to them because they must choose between their own cultural values, beliefs, and behaviors and assimilate to the cultural values ​​and customs of the United States. The book states that “their cultural origin is English, Scottish, Dutch and German, which constitutes the Anglo-Saxon core”. Therefore, the culture that immigrants to the United States must adapt to is Anglo-Saxon culture/“American culture.” For most minority immigrants to the United States, one of the main factors affecting them is the language barrier. In the United States, English is the dominant language, many......middle of paper......and in the future. It also helps me understand why there is so much diversity and how it can be both positive and negative. It's good because when there is a greater variety of cultures and ethnic groups living together it brings diversity, unity and peace. However it can be negative in the sense that, when it comes to trying to survive or 'fit in', many find themselves facing oppressions such as inequality, racism, sexism and are often put at a disadvantage which can lead to poverty. . I think assimilation theory can be useful because it can be applied to everyday life and help compare and better understand different types of societies and the process that people go through. Work cited Aguirre, Adalberto and Jonathan H. Turner. American ethnicity: The dynamics and consequences of discrimination. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.