History of the American West

4.0 credits

The American West has long fired the imaginations of Americans. For many, it has meant new opportunities—open land available for homesteading, finding gold, or finding work. This movement west, however, put Americans into direct conflict with the Native peoples and Mexicans already residing there. The same wilderness Americans celebrate has often been the site of environmental destruction. In a survey covering key moments across the 19th and 20th centuries, this course will consider the significance of the American West as a myth and symbol in literature, film, and other media. Key themes may include race, indigeneity, gender, labor, politics, and environment.