This course will explore the decline and possible rebirth of the American Western film in American culture from the mid-1960s until the mid-80s. We will begin with the last two westerns of John Ford and include the work of Sam Peckinpah, Robert Altman and Clint Eastwood, with a glance at Phillip Kauffman and Quentin Tarantino. Though we are not likely to have the class time to watch entire movies, we will show excerpts, followed by discussion.
Class size limit: 110. Suggested Reading/Viewing: Instructor will before each class email a list of films to be discussed each week, so that you can watch them on your own beforehand.