Frontier in American Culture

Catalog description

The frontier, traditionally understood as the place where "humanity" comes into contact with its apparent absence in the shape of alien beings and landscapes, has been the subject of some of the most lasting powerful stories in the formation of U.S. national identity. The purpose of this course is to investigate the ideological underpinnings of this myth and its consequences, as well as to explore alternative conceptualizations of the frontier, particularly as a "rhizomatic" space where cultures meet and grapple with one another. Materials for the course are drawn from literature, film, painting, photography, and popular culture.