“When history is translated into myth, the complexities of social and historical experiences are simplified and compressed into the action of representative individuals or heroes."

                                               -Richard Slotkin,  Gunfighter Nation 

The Western is the richest and most enduring genre of American film.  More myth than history, it is both formula film and a source of great innovation. Beginning with Reconstruction, this program will examine the important connections between the Western and the tale of expansion (economic, geographic, ecological, cultural) and violent conquest that is the American frontier myth.  We will consider how the Western has evolved over the past century and what this evolution tells us about film, history and culture.  We will analyze classic Westerns and the myriad sub-genres that exemplify this distinctly American art form.  In addition to diverse short readings and a screenplay or two, primary texts for this program may include Richard Slotkin's Gunfighter Nation, James McPherson's Into the West , and The Western Reader , edited by Jim Kitses and Gregg Rickman. Home screenings will be required.  Therefore, students will need access to a comprehensive source for DVD rentals, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.  A sampling of films under consideration includes:  The Searchers, Red River, High Noon, Little Big Man, Buffalo Bill and the Indians,   Unforgiven and No Country for Old Men .    Students will engage independently and collaboratively in readings, film screenings, seminars, workshops, and writing assignments.  The program may include a field trip to view the exhibit, "The Art of the American West" at the Tacoma Art Museum.