Saddle up for an engaging exploration of the American West, as it was and has been imagined, mythologized and marketed worldwide. This course explores the cultural forces behind popular perceptions of the “Wild West,” from dime novels and Wild West shows to classic films and modern media. We’ll examine how icons like Buffalo Bill and the cowboy were crafted, commodified, and exported far beyond the frontier. From saloons to silver screens, The Wild West Worldwide explores how legend, media and memory collide. Leland Turner is a retired history professor with expertise in the American West, ranching, country music and popular culture. He brings history to life through stories and symbols that have shaped regional and national identity.