This course will explore the evolution
of the American Western Hero. Grades will be based on two exams and
a book review. The following readings are required:
Henry Nash Smith, Virgin
Land
David Crockett, A Narrative
in the Life of David Crockett
Harvey Carter, Dear Old Kit
Mari Sandoz, Crazy Horse
Paul Hutton, ed., The Custer
Reader
Robert M. Utley, Billy the Kid
Paul Hutton, “A Tale of Two Alamos,”
SMU
Mustang (Spring 1986) on
reserve
Paul Hutton, “Dreamscape Desperado,”
New
Mexico
(June 1990) on
reserve
Paul Hutton, “Showdown at the Hollywood
Corral,”
Montana (Summer 1995) on
reserve
|
WEEK OF:
|
TOPIC
|
READINGS
|
| Jan. 18 |
Heroes and History |
Smith, Ch. 1-2 |
| Jan. 25 |
Birth of the Frontier Hero |
Smith, Ch. 3-4 |
| Feb. 1 |
Daniel Boone and Leatherstocking |
Smith, Ch. 5-7 |
| Feb. 8 |
The Jacksonian Hero: Davy |
Crockett |
| Feb. 15 |
Heroes of Manifest Destiny – Crockett,
Jim Bowie and the Alamo |
Crockett; Hutton, “Tale of Two
Alamos” |
| Feb. 22 |
Kit Carson |
Carter |
| March 1 |
The Mountain Men |
Carter |
| March 8 |
Midterm – March 10 |
Smith, Ch. 8 |
| March 15 |
Spring Break |
|
| March 22 |
Buffalo Bill and His Wild West |
Smith, Ch. 9 |
| March 29 |
Wild Bill and Calamity Jane |
Smith, Ch. 10; Hutton |
| April 5 |
The Soldier Hero: Custer
Hutton; Sandoz |
|
| April 12 |
The Warrior Hero: Crazy Horse
Hutton; Sandoz |
|
| April 19 |
The Lawman: Wyatt Earp
Book Review due April 19 |
Hutton, “Showdown at the Hollywood
Corral” |
| April 26 |
The Outlaw: Billy the Kid |
Utley; Hutton, “Dreamscape Desperado” |
| May 3 |
The Frontier Myth |
Utley; Smith, Ch. 11-22 |
|