Course Description

This course will examine the social, economic, political, and intellectual history of India during the 19th and 20th centuries through the lens of film and literature. Specifically, we will examine how writers and filmmakers portray historical events and social issues in India such as the struggle for independence, partition, religious conflicts, and caste politics. Particular attention will be paid to issues such as marriage, dowry, education, religion, widowhood, and multiple forms of violence against women.

Meeting Place and Times

Online

Instructor(s)

Holly Grether, Ph.D.

Holly Grether earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies (South Asia emphasis) in 2010 from University of California, Santa Barbara. She has been teaching courses at MSU in Religious Studies, History and CLS First Year Seminar since 2007. Dr. Grether has studied both Sanskrit and Hindi and her academic specializations include Asian Religions, Women in India, Ritual Studies, and History of Religions.

Prerequisites

HSTR 102, HSTR 140, HSTR 160, or permission of instructor.

Tuition and Fees

If you are accepted into a qualified online program, see the appropriate MSU Online Only Tuition and Fee table.

If you are also taking a face-to-face course, please refer to the MSU Fee Schedules.

Required Books and Materials

  • Modern India: A Very Short Introduction (Craig Jeffrey), 2017
  • Nectar in a Sieve (Kamala Markandaya). Signet Classics, 2002.
  • Breast Stories (Mahasweta Devi), 1997.

     

Required movies* (all can be streamed online; some require $3.99 purchase)

  • Mangala Pandey: The Rising, 2005 (set in 1857)
  • Water, 2005 (set in 1938)
  • Earth 1998 (set in 1947)
  • Silent Waters, 2003 (set in 1979)
  • Girl in a River (2015)
  • Pink (2016)
  • My name is Khan (2010)

Computer Requirements:

  • Internet access
  • A device and browser that pass the system check for Brightspace LE, MSU's learning management system.

This course uses a learning management system. You will learn more closer to the course start date.

For More Information

For more course information, please contact the instructor, Holly Grether.

How to Register

You must be accepted as a student to Montana State University to take this course.

Learn how to apply.

After your application has been accepted, you will register via MSU's online registration system, MyInfo.

Registration requires a PIN number. Learn how to find your PIN.

Once you have your PIN, learn how to register through MyInfo.