ENG 227 The American Western

Prerequisite: ENG 101 and ENG 102
3 credits

The American Western is a survey course that focuses on the historical development of the American western both in literature and in film, focusing not only on the authors who first developed and defined this genre, such as Owen Wister, Zane Grey and Louis LAmour, but also on the work of recognized masters whose best work often transcended the limitations of the genre and, in fact, helped to expand its borders people like Walter Van Tilburg, Larry McMurtry, John Ford and Sam Peckinpah. In addition, we will spend time examining some of the genres fairly lesser-known practitioners, cult figures, and genuine (or not so genuine) icons, like John Wayne.