Essay 1: American West Artist (3-5 pages)                  50 pts

This is an essay in which you pick one artist and one of their works that fits the Western genre. This work should be a visual media such as easel art (painting, etc), sculpture, photography, textile, jewelry, etc. In your essay you will provide 1). a brief background of the artist; 2) an analysis of the work in terms of style, technique and use; 3) and finally the works ability to convey aspects of images and/or identities of places and/or people of the American West. Also, include the influences of this work. Your choice may come from classical art of the Old West or may be a  newer piece depicting the New West.

Create a header at the top of your first page with the following: 

  [top left} Artist Name (date of birth and date of death)                                                                                [top right}    Your Name

                 Title of the Work              Date 

At the end of your essay include the references used. You may use text citation or not.

Essay 2: Film Review (3-5 pages)                          50 pts

In this essay you will choose one film considered of the Western genre. In your essay you will give 1) background of the film studio, director, and actors of the film; 2) analysis of major themes in the film, style and special techniques used (avoid a long plot synopsis); 3) compare the film you are doing to any of the films covered in your The Hollywood West (Etulian & Riley) text. You might keep it down to 1-3 comparative examples discussed in the text.  Pick films that represent certain styles or time periods for better, more dramatic, comparison. Unless you are a real film buff you might stick to post WWII sound films in the Western genre. You can use any film including a current release.

Create a header similar to the essay above:

 [top left] Film Title, running time, studio                                                                                      [top right]     Your name

   Director; principle actors                                                                     

 Include references. You must use the text cited and your viewing of the film, but you may use outside references.

Essay 3: Regional Assessment (3-5 pages)                                   50 pts

Your final essay involves the assessment of one region in the American West. In this essay your first task is to 1) define a specific region of the American West that you have some experience with living or visiting, or one covered in your Many Wests (Wrobel & Steiner) text.; 2) evaluate how the region (place) you chose influenced human culture and identity from the past to today; 3) conclude with some comparison to other regions of the American West in terms of influence, quality of life or perspectives on the future. When you define your region of the American West you may use a general region or zoom into a very specific 'sub region', such as S. California/San Diego/North County or Northwest Coast/Olympic Peninsula.

Create a simple header:     

     [top left]    Regional Assessment: (name of region)                                                                         [top right]       Your name

Include references. Again you must use the text cited and your own experiences, but you may use outside references.