This might be of interest to your list.

        Gus Seligmann
        co-editor H-WEST


> Subject: Myth of the West
>
>
>
> Our summer school class is focused on the first half of the American
> literature survey.  Friday, we looked at the "Myth of the West" based
> on the similarities and differences between the Amerindian documents
> in our text book vs. evidence of the West to be found in either the
> Gilcrease Museum (Tulsa) or the Cowboy Hall of Fame (Oklahoma City).
>
> After an opening hour of comments from you-know-who, and after a break,
> students went into an uproar over the topic.  A very high percentage of
> Oklahomans have Indian bloodlines of one sort or another; some students
> who are usually very quiet could really get involved in this discussion.
>
> The experience reminded me of something I used to know: museums can be
> wonderful prods to thought and can complement almost any course--if we
> plan ahead.
>
> Should members of the list be driving through Oklahoma during the Summer,
> please visit either or both of these two wonderful institutions.  Gilcrease
> has more Native American materials, but both exhibit the "myth of the
> West."
>
> By the way, the history major in the class had never heard of Frederick
> Jackson Turner.  This lacuna is a sign of the times....
>
> Peter Rollins
> Oklahoma State U
>
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>