Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Understanding Politics Through Films Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
Syllabus for Understanding Politics through Films
The University sets this paper under Scheme III only, so your college may not run it.
Module 1: Understanding films as an expression of popular culture
- 1 Films as a medium of political communication.
- 2 Films as a tool to study political ideology
- 3 Films as a tool to study international relations
- Suggested Films- God father [E], Sarkar [H], Rajneeti [H],Gulal[H], Simhasan [M], Haqeekat [H], Bridge on the river Kwai [E], No man’s land [E], Border [H], The day after [E], Saving Private Ryan, Letters from Ivogima.
- [Minimum two films must be screened]
Module 2: Rights and Empowerment
- 1 Women
- 2 Dalit
- 3 Adivasi
- Suggested Films : Umbartha(M), Mukta, Mirch Masala (H), Dor (H),Jait Re Jait (H), Shapit (M), Matrubhumi [H], Matrubhoomi [H], Mrityudand [H], Lajja [H], Mirch Masala [H], Gulab Gang [H], Astitva [H], The Color Purple [E], Sairaat [M], Fandry [M], Khap [H], Arakshan [H],Mrugaya
- Documentaries : Annapurna: Goddess of Food, 25 min. by ParomitaVohra, Republics - 3 series, 25 mins, 20 mins, 20 mins by Gautam Sonti(PSBT), Unlimited Girls by Paromita Vohra, Mahuva Memoirs, 82 mins by Vinod Raja (PSBT), Tanda (Part 1 & 2) by P Jayashankar (TISS), Words on Water, 85 mins by Sanjay Kak (PSBT), DALIT Scavenger.
- [Minimum two films and one documentary must be screened]
Module 3: Development and Governance
- 1 Sustainable Development
- 2 Transparency, Accountability and Right to Information
- 3 E-Governance
- Suggested Films : Swadesh (H), Seher(H), Manthan(H), Pather Panchali (H), Roti Kapada Aur Makan (H), Do Bigha Jameen (H),Namak Haram (H), Naya Daur (H), Satyakam(H), Jagte Raho (H)
- Documentaries : Right to Information, 33 mins by Anurag Singh(PSBT), Accounts &Accountability, 30 mins by Radhika Kaul Batra(PSBT), Ek Cup Chai, Right to Information (Kamlu Didi) (H), Narmada
- Bachao Andolan (You Tube), A Narmada Dairy (Anand Patwardhan)
- [Minimum two films and one documentary must be screened]
Module 4: Threats to India’s Security
- 1 Terrorism
- 2 Naxalism
- 3 Cyber Crime
- Suggested Films---Machis (H), Roja (H), A Wednesday (H), Sarfarosh (H), Dil Se (H), Fanna (H), Mr and Mrs Iyer (H), Tango Charlie (H), Chakravyuha (H), Mission Kashmir (H), Mulk [H], Aamir [H], New York [H] , Qayamat: City Under Threat (H), Vivegam (T) (Full Hindi Dubbed Movie to be screened), Jamtara (Netflix – web series) [Minimum two films must be screened]
Reference Books
- 1 Baumbach, N. (2019). Cinema/politics/philosophy. Columbia University Press.
- 2 Campbell, J. R. (2022). Politics go to the movies: International relations and politics in genre films and television. Lexington Books.
- 3 Rosenbaum, J. (1997). Movies as politics. University of California Press.
- 4 Sachleben, M., & Yenerall, K. M. (2004). Seeing the bigger picture: Understanding politics through film and television. Peter Lang.
- 5 Van Belle, D. A., & Mash, K. (2020). A novel approach to politics: Introducing political science through books, movies, and popular culture (5th ed.).