FS20180 Global Bollywood

Academic Year 2024/2025

The term “Bollywood” (a blend of Bombay and Hollywood) is often used to describe Hindi films produced out of the Indian film industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Bollywood today is more than just cinema: it has become a global culture industry that encompasses a gamut of commodities, like music, dance, and fashion, becoming synonymous with “Indian culture.” However, "Bollywood" is a complex and contentious term. The Bollywoodization of Indian cinema/culture has been strongly criticized by several scholars, industry professionals, fans and commentators. They have argued that the term perpetuates the long history of colonization and subordination of “others” by the West, and in this case, Hollywood. Yet, it cannot be denied that “Bollywood” does signify cultural pride. How did Hindi-Urdu cinema become Bollywood? How might we study Bombay as a major media capital? Focusing on this key question, this course will examine Hindi cinema’s pre and post-globalization encounters with concepts like nation, family, diaspora, religion, and gender & sexuality. By locating the Bombay film industry within its contemporary global political economy we will examine the local, national, and transnational appeals of a mammoth cinema-culture.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge of a contemporary global media industry and geo-political region.
Reflect on how a study of Bollywood enhances our understanding of film and media studies as a field.
Demonstrate an understanding of key themes in South Asian history, visual culture, and society as it shaped its film and media.
Analyze the impact of global processes on film industries and media capitals, including the relationship between politics, society, geography, history and economy.
Critically analyze media texts with a focus on improving research and writing skills.


Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Small Group

12
Tutorial

11
Laboratories

30
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

20
Total

105
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This class will include lectures, screenings, class presentations, and small group work. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Students will be paired for presentations on the week's materials. These presentations will happen during the workshops. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A 1000-1500 written assignment/argument mapping exercise. More details will be provided in class. Week 8 Graded No

20

 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Class participation and engagement. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

10

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A substantial research essay of 2500-3000 words. Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

50

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Harriet Idle Tutor