Introduction
The purpose of this course is to serve as an introduction to the women who defied the boundaries of society in the Old West. The course includes an in-depth study of Belle Starr and Pearl Hart, two of the most notorious female bandits the West had to offer. The course will also take a close look at the women associated with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch Gang.
The course will also explore the lives of madams, prostitutes and other women who lived their lives outside the law and discuss the consequences of their actions and decisions. An explanation will be made of the business of prostitution and the women who were drawn into this lifestyle either by choice or by force. Not all of the women who rebelled against society's rules were criminals. Some, such as Calamity Jane and Poker Alice simply chose to live an unconventional lifestyle. Baby Doe Tabor flaunted society in yet another way, creating a stir and a scandal by falling in love with a married man, the wealthiest man in Colorado.
Through the study and discussion of such characters as Calamity Jane, Cattle Kate, and Poker Alice, the role of women in Western society will be examined in order to gain a deeper insight into what made some of them turn outlaw or fall astray of the generally accepted code of behavior for women at the time. The course will also explore the portrayal of women in the west in film and fiction and compare and contrast legend with truth.
Lesson 1: A woman's Role in the Wild West/Belle Starr "Queen of the Bandits"
1.The Wild West and a woman's role in Western society
2.Belle Starr, The Early Years and Outlaw Life
3.Belle Starr, Later Years
4.Bibliography
Lesson 2: Stagecoach Robbers and Cattle Rustlers
1. Pearl Hart, the Stagecoach Robber
2. Pearl Hart, cont.
3. Cattle Kate
4. Cattle Kate
5. Bibliography
Lesson 3: The Wild Bunch Women
1. Introduction--The Wild Bunch Gang
2. Etta Place
3. Laura Bullion
4. Annie Rogers
5. Rose Morgan and Maud Davis
6. The Bassetts
7. Bibliography
Lesson 4 Renegade Women
1. Introduction, Calamity Jane
2. Calamity Jane, cont
3. Poker Alice
4. Cattle Annie and Little Britches
4. Bibliography
Short quiz over Lessons 1-4
Lesson 5 Loyal Lovers and Shady Ladies
1. Introduction/ Rose of Cimmaron
2. Big Nose Kate
3. Baby Doe Tabor
4. Bibliography
Lesson 6: Prostitution in the West- Soiled Doves
1. Introduction: The Working Girl
2. Soiled Doves
3. Hookers with Hearts of Gold
4. Bibliography
Lesson 7 Prostitution in the West-Pistol Packing Madams
1. Introduction-Prostitution in the West--The Parlor House
2. Pistol Packing Madams
3. Madam Mustache and Other Famous Madams
4. Bibliography
Lesson 8 Outlaw Women in books and films
1. Portrayal of Outlaw Women in books and Film
2. Belle Starr: Fact and fiction
3. Calamity Jane: Truth or Fiction
4. Other Films starring Female Outlaws
5. Course wrapup, Bibliography
Lessons
Click here to see course syllabus
