This course surveys Southwest literature and film to analyze how Native, Chicano/a, and Anglo Americans imagine life in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, or the U.S. Mexico borderlands. The course begins with mid-nineteenth and early-twentieth century depictions of the Southwest in popular fiction and film; moves to modern literature and movies; and concludes with contemporary Southwestern artistic production. We'll consider how cultural conflict, modernization, landscape, gender, and westward expansion, among other themes, shape Southwestern genres, such as westerns, adventure narratives, regional novels, mysteries, and horror flicks. The class will also examine and discuss the craft of cinema—from film production to scene analysis—especially in the context of film adaptations of literary texts. Most movies will be viewed in their entirety before class, with some clips used during class sessions to highlight a theme, but all class meetings will involve active participation, critical analysis, and student participation.

Possible texts: Rollin Ridge, John, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta; Otero, Miguel, The Real Billy the Kid: With New Light on the Lincoln County War; McCarthy, Cormac, All the Pretty Horses; Silko, Leslie Marmon, Ceremony; Corpy, Lucha, Crimson Moon.

Possible films include: The Mask of Zorro, Young Guns, The Searchers, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Prophecy, Pow-Wow Highway, The Tao of Steve.