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The Black West: The History Hollywood Forgot
Discover the fascinating history of African Americans in the American West, from Black cowboys and Buffalo Soldiers to homesteaders, migrants, and thriving frontier communities. This course explores the people, places, and experiences that helped shape the West, while examining how their stories have been represented in Hollywood films, literature, and popular culture. Through historical photographs, archival sources, film clips, and engaging discussions, participants will explore the rich and varied experiences of Black westerners and their contributions to American history. No prior knowledge is required --- just curiosity about the history, stories, and enduring mythology of the American West.
Your Instructor
PhD in English Literature
University of Waterloo
Dr. Sara Gallagher is a scholar, author, and educator whose work explores Black history, literature, migration, and cultural memory in North America. She is the author of Black Wests (University of Oklahoma Press, 2025), which examines African American experiences and representations of the American West and co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection: Unsettling the Heartland: Black America and the Making of the Midwest (University of Illinois Press, 2028) She teaches at Durham College in Ontario, Canada, where her courses focus on critical thinking, writing, communication, and interdisciplinary humanities. Her research and teaching interests include the history and literature of the American and Canadian Wests, popular culture, and the relationship between history, storytelling, and collective memory.
What you'll learn
Explore how Black Americans contributed to the development of western communities, economies, and cultural traditions.
Distinguish historical fact from fiction by comparing portrayals of Black westerners in Hollywood films with documented historical accounts.
Analyze historical films and literature to identify how storytelling shapes popular understandings of the American West.
Describe the roles of Black cowboys, Buffalo Soldiers, homesteaders, and migrants in the region's history.
Compare historical sources with popular representations to develop a more nuanced understanding of the American West.
Course Schedule
What comes to mind when we imagine the American West? Cowboys, frontier towns, cattle drives, and vast open landscapes have shaped popular understandings of western history for generations. In this introductory lesson, we will explore how the American West developed as both a historical region and a cultural idea. Through historical photographs, maps, and selected Western film scenes, we will examine familiar images of the frontier and introduce the diverse people and communities who participated in its development, including African Americans. This lesson establishes the historical and cultural context for the remainder of the course.
What You Get
Live interactive sessions
Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors
Small discussion groups
Up to 20 students for personalized attention
Session recordings
Review and revisit class content anytime
Dedicated platform
Track progress and organize your schedule
Frequently asked questions
Course-specific questions
Your Instructor
PhD in English Literature
University of Waterloo
Dr. Sara Gallagher is a scholar, author, and educator whose work explores Black history, literature, migration, and cultural memory in North America. She is the author of Black Wests (University of Oklahoma Press, 2025), which examines African American experiences and representations of the American West and co-editor of the forthcoming essay collection: Unsettling the Heartland: Black America and the Making of the Midwest (University of Illinois Press, 2028) She teaches at Durham College in Ontario, Canada, where her courses focus on critical thinking, writing, communication, and interdisciplinary humanities. Her research and teaching interests include the history and literature of the American and Canadian Wests, popular culture, and the relationship between history, storytelling, and collective memory.