HIST 275 - The Wild West – Myth and Reality

Credits: 3

Description
Designed to acquaint the student with the history of the American West, the course will topically examine and compare the often romanticized themes of early novels and Hollywood films with the harsh reality of frontier life. The topics that may be examined include the Spanish Southwest, the fur trapping mountain men, the Indians and the army, outlaws, the mining men, cattle, timber, and farming frontiers, and the introduction of capitalism and large scale industrialization.

Student Learning Outcomes

Understand the contours of the historical period or subject covered by the course.
Understand history in general, and the interplay of the world, national, and/or local events in shaping the world in which we live.
Students should better appreciate their role in politics and society, and their obligations as a citizen.
Students should be better prepared for more advanced classes at the College of Southern Nevada and/or elsewhere.
The abilities of students in critical thinking should be enhanced.
The oral and/or written communications skills of students should be improved.
The ability of students to do research and find information on historical and current events should be expanded and enhanced.
Students should understand that history is made up of facts AND interpretations, actions AND ideas, not simply a series of names and dates.

Prerequisite: None