Center for the Study of the American West
Our mission is to promote the study of the American West both as a region culturally unique and as a product of broad historical forces.
CSAW envisions becoming a center that is dedicated to cultivating a critical sense of region and place in a globalized era.
The Center for the Study of the American West (CSAW) is committed to the promotion and development of interdisciplinary scholarship through:
- Undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research
- CSAW offers competitive research grants and hosts the Brown Bag Colloquium series where the academic community can present and discuss their in-progress research projects.
- Undergraduate and graduate education and curriculum development
- Through CSAW, WTAMU students now have the option to minor in Western American Studies.
- CSAW interns experience hands-on learning as they assist with event planning, interact with the Garry L. Nall lecturers, participate in community outreach, and support research grant recipients.
- Public outreach
- Each semester CSAW hosts numerous events that are free and open to the public, such as the Brown Bag Colloquia, Movie Nights, and the Garry L. Nall lectures.
- CSAW directors and interns volunteer at local organizations (e.g. assisting with educational tours at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center).
- Collaboration between CSAW and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the Cornette library, and various other sponsors and affiliates
- For instance, in Spring 2017 CSAW showed the documentary A Line in the Sand. Residents from Matador, TX (where the documentary was filmed) and the co-producer participated in a panel discussion after the viewing, creating a dialogue between Potter-Randall County citizens and those from Motley County while starting a partnership with Matador citizens invested in the region.
