South Asian Cinemas (265-0-20)

Topic

Kings, Courtesans and Khan Artists

Instructors

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

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

AY26 Kings, Courtesans and Khan Artists: Picturizing Islam and Muslims in Bollywood. India is home to the second largest population of Muslims on earth (after Indonesia). It's also host to the world's largest film industry, best known as Bollywood, in which Muslim actors, writers, and producers have played a dominant role. 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 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.

Learning Objectives

- Develop a familiarity with cinema traditions in India
- Nurture skills in critically analyzing texts
- Examine the relationship between art, culture, and nationalism

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

in-class participation, short papers

Class Materials (Required)

None.

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for students majoring or minoring in Asian Languages & Cultures or International Studies until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites, if applicable.