History of the American West

Catalog description

Investigates the Western United States from the early 16th century to the present. Themes embraced are: Euro-American interactions with Native Americans; extension and escalation of the federal government into the West; exploitation of natural resources; formation of borders and national identities; race, class and gender relations; impact of immigration and emigration; aggression and criminality; and continuing perseverance of Frederick Jackson Turner’s “frontier” myth in American culture. The survey shall comprise an inquiry of period literature. Note: Offered as required.