HIST 1305 Cowboys & Indians

This course explores the origins of race and race relations through time and around the globe, with an emphasis on colonialism, and examines how these conceptions have been represented in popular culture. In other words, how do diverse peoples "get along" and how do they represent or interpret their relationships to explain or justify their actions? Particular attention is given to the catalytic roles played by hundreds of Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone actors in the development of Hollywood's western film industry, many of which will be viewed in class. (3 lect.) HUM

Credits

3 credits

Transfer Status

Transferable to UW.

Major Topics

• Biological basis for race
• Global cultural conquests through time
• Dehumanization and demonization of "other" cultures / races
• Global similarities of stereotypical views of native peoples
• "Show Indian" involvement in interpretive museum and film development
• Relationships between the U.S. government, white settlers, and native peoples
• Arapaho, Shoshone & Wind River cowboys’ roles in development of Hollywood film industry
• Depictions of cowboys and Indians on stage and in film
• American Indian actors’ motivations for participating in "degrading" films
• Role of "cowboys" in "conquering the west" and reasons for entering film
• Impacts of film industry on native cultures, and inter-cultural relations, around the world
• Global impacts of the film industry "location-shoots" on local and Native economies
• Global relationships between reality and fantasy in the movies

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Analyze and describe how various cultures justify or rationalize conquest and domination of other cultures, including demonization or glorification of their opponents.

2. Describe the technological, economic and social upheavals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and their relationship to wild west shows, western films, and portrayals of native cultures from other parts of the world

3. Evaluate the sequence and meanings of films in which local Indian and cowboy actors participated, the roles of the entourages that travelled the world with the films, and the role they played in helping create Hollywood’s western film industry

4. Explain white support for and opposition to native participation in glorification of the past through wild west shows and film, and understand how the Wind River show industry fit into the national and international popular perception of Native Americans

5. Analyze the complex economic, political, and other motivations American Indian actors had for making public spectacles of their cultures

6. Compare the accuracy of the portrayal of Native American individuals and cultures in the early films with that at the end of the local involvement, and in film today

7. Compare impacts of the film industry on local Native and white economies and cultures

8. Describe and assess the sequence of public stereotypes about American Indians in literature, on the stage, and in film and compare this to European and white American stereotypes of native peoples in other parts of the world