Explanation

The purpose of this mini-unit is to allow students to salvage some hope of passing that class. If you earned a 69% or below, you are welcome to compete this unit. If you do so, and pass the mini-unit, I will NOT COUNT your grade for the first quarter towards your final grade. This means that your entire semester grade will be based on the grade you earn in the second quarter. If you complete the mini-unit but fail the second quarter, you will still fail the class.

Passing the mini-unit means getting at least 65% of the possible points. If you do all of the assignments in the mini-unit, but still fail to earn 65%, your first quarter grade will be counted. Good luck.

Assignments

Due Monday 4/27 - Answer the three following questions:
1. What does "the Cowboy" stand for?
2. What is/was "the West?"
3. What HAS to happen in a Western?

Due Monday 4/27 - Write a film response for My Darling Clementine - 1946

Due Monday 5/4 - Write a film response for The Searchers - 1956

Due Monday 5/11 - Write a film response for Unforgiven - 1992 * Note, if your parents do not want you to watch an R-rated movie, you should replace this film with The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, which is linked below.

Due Thursday 5/14 - Write the following essay:
Of the four Westerns we watched, and including one additional Western of your choice, how does the developement of the genre over time show the changing American understanding of its own past?
Be sure to double space your essay and provide detailed examples and evidence from the three films.

Main Films

My Darling Clementine - 1946

The Searchers - 1956

"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - 1962

Unforgiven - 1992

Additional Suggested Films
(or non-R-rated Replacements)

High Noon - 1952

Blazing Saddles - 1974

Little Big Man - 1970

Dead Man - 1995
Note: This movie is a hard R and should only be viewed with parental permission. This film is a bizarre revision of the Western starring Johnny Depp. It is also long and arty. Just saying...

Fah Talai Jone (Tears of the Black Tiger) - 2000

Readings

"The Frontier In American History" by Frederick Jackson Turner

Unit Links (not required)

None so far.