Course Informational Video - REL 298 / FL 295 Bollywood: South Asian Films and Religions http://www.indicuniversity.org/ This course will provide a critical overview of one of the world's largest and most beloved film industries, the popular cinema produced in South Asia and consumed around the world under the (recent and somewhat controversial) label "Bollywood." This course will focus on popular cinema from the post-Independence (1947) era to the present, and will introduce key films, directors, stars, genres, formal techniques, and themes, as well as critical analyses of these and other topics. Periodic lectures will situate films in their historical and cultural contexts, as well as within the careers of directors and key actors. Special attention will be given to the pervasive role of music and dance in this cinema. Other topics to be addressed will include: the cultural sources, nationalism, the star system, and the global reception. This course assumes no previous knowledge of South Asian culture or cinema, and all films will be shown with English subtitles. Coursework will include a series of short response papers and a final exam, as well as active participation in class discussions and regular attendance at required weekly screenings. (Javascript is required to view Mediasite content)