Film has the ability to project powerful images of a society in ways conventional academic mediums cannot. This is particularly true in learning about India, the second largest country in the world (and about to surpass China) and which is home to the largest film industries in the world. This course explores images of Indian society that emerge through the medium of film. Our attention will be focused on Indian society and history as depicted in film, critical social issues being explored through film; the depicted reality vs. the historical reality; the transformation of how women are projected in the “global Bollywood” era; and the powerful role of the Indian film industry in affecting social orientations and values today.

Course Objectives:

1. To gain an awareness of the historical context of the subcontinent and of contemporary Indian society;
2. To understand the sociocultural similarities yet significant diversity within this culture area;
3. To learn about the political and economic realities and challenges facing contemporary India and the rapid social changes the country is experiencing;
4. To recognize how the neoliberal economics and politics in the past thirty years accompanied the transformation of women’s images in Bollywood;
5. To learn about the Indian film industry, the largest in the world, and specifically about Bollywood.

Class format:

We will meet once a week, as Bollywood films tend to be long and each class will include a short lecture on the issues being raised in the film being screened that week. (We will be able to pivot quickly in the event that there is an uptick in the COVID-19 pandemic requiring less in-person contact). Following our viewing the selected film together we will have an in-class discussion. Some films are readily available on Netflix or other platforms if you want to view them again, though others are not.  The valuable aspect of viewing the films together is that while Professor Weiss will limit commenting on the films while we’re watching them, she sometimes will pause the films to discuss particular issues, or lower the volume for a voice-over. When we watch the films together, given the length of most Bollywood films, we will need to fast-forward through much of the song/dance and/or fighting sequences.

Readings

There will be assigned readings for each day which can be found either in the following required texts (available at the UO bookstore; most are available as ebooks through the Knight Library) or through hotlinks on this website. Please try to complete all readings before the day in which they will be discussed. Most recommended films are available through Netflix or other online streaming options. The required books are: