South Asian Cinemas (265-0-20)

Topic

Kings, Courtesans and Khan Artists

Instructors

Daniel Joseph Majchrowicz
847/467-5829
1880 Campus Drive, Kresge Hall, Office 4-423
Office Hours: varies by quarter, please contact instructor

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 318: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

AY24 India is home to the second largest population of Muslims on earth. It's also host to the world's largest film industry, best known as Bollywood. Little wonder, then, that Bollywood films regularly feature Muslim characters, social spaces, and cultural references that are readily marked or coded as "Islamic." But in spite of a large coterie of Muslims working within the industry - as actors, song writers, or producers - the representation of Muslims in Indian films has consistently raised complex issues around ideas of identity and belonging in a nation where they constitute a clear (and conspicuous) minority. We will read these films against the historical backdrop of the search for national identity and inclusivity in post-colonial India. Students will be given the opportunity not only to learn about Indian (particularly Bombay) cinema, but also to explore how cinematic representations intersect with issues of identity and belonging in the modern nation-state.

Teaching Method

seminar/lecture

Evaluation Method

short essays

Class Materials (Required)

None

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area