The American West: The History, the Values, the Struggle, and the Legacy of the 19th Century
The 19th century American West represents both the proudest manifestations of our collective imagination and the struggles at the dark margins of our American character. We identify with all the people involved: noble Indian warrior and soldier; homesteader and cowboy; mining prospector and laborer; and outlaw and lawman. This period was also a time of numerous dichotomies: the clash of values and cultures; technological advancements and an unwavering faith in Manifest Destiny; the wonder of unimaginable natural beauty and the extraction of resources; rugged individualism and vital community; government incentive and entrepreneurialism; and the reality versus the myth portrayed in literature, art, photography, and cinema. This three-day program will explore the history of this monumental period and its legacy felt today.
