Mandir (temple), masjid (mosque), and for that matter church make
frequent appearances in South Asian cinema, sometimes for surprising
reasons.  In this course we will consider the meaning of religion in
South Asia using film as our lens to explore what John Booth calls
the "ambiguity of the sacred-secular distinction in Indian
culture."  We will begin by reading and discussing two chapters on
how scholars "read" film, with a bit of practice in class before our
first film screening.  The Lyden textbook (Film as Religion:  Myths,
Morals, and Rituals) will provide us with our theoretical background.
Each week we will watch and discuss, in detail, one film.  Our broad
topics include partition, gender, myth, fundamentalism, and the
diaspora.  We will come to know a range of views on religion and its
role in the lives of South Asians through film produced in India,
Bangladesh and Pakistan, and our reading of critical articles for
each film.  The films include mythologicals, social commentary, and
Bollywood blockbusters, all of which have a great deal to tell us
about religion in South Asia.  No prerequisites, and prior knowledge
of South Asia, while helpful, is not expected.

This course contributes to a liberal arts education by introducing
some of the ways people in South Asia use film to reflect their
various views on their own cultures and religions.  Students will
develop critical thinking and writing skills through class
discussions and weekly writing assignments.

Each week students will submit a 1-2 page response to questions
raised by that week's material. Grading will be based on these
papers (30%), attendance and participation in classroom activities
(30%), and two term papers (40%).
Our in-class discussions will centre around the readings, and
questions posed on OnCourse will help guide students' thinking about
each piece.

By the end of the course students will be able to
-recognize and deconstruct religious tropes in South Asian film, and
discuss these in religious studies critical terms
-discuss the role of Bollywood in perpetuating communal (religious)
stereotypes, and how the diaspora furthers such goals
-understand the enduring trauma of the Partition of South Asia
-debate the cliche "Hindus and Muslims are all brothers" from
various South Asian cinematic perspectives