Article: Hooray for Bollywood: using Hindi language films to teach economics Journal: International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education (IJPEE) 2024 Vol.15 No.1 pp.54 - 68 Abstract: Many economic educators have been teaching with pop culture since the start of this century but until recently, the focus was almost exclusively on English-language media. In response to the increasing internationalisation of higher education, economic educators have begun to embrace foreign-language media sources, recognising the diverse and ever-changing nature of today's classrooms. We expand on the work of Ben Abdesslem and Picault (2023a, 2023b), who use Netflix Originals from across the globe to teach undergraduate-level economics. This article represents the first step towards the inclusion of Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry, in the economics curriculum. Bollywood films are famous for elaborate song-and-dance sequences, colourful costumes, and over-the-top storylines. Leveraging popular culture through mediums like Bollywood can enhance student engagement and participation in ways that 'chalk and talk' lectures cannot. We present a series of lesson plans based on two iconic modern Bollywood films to teach foundation-level concepts. We hope that over time educators will take up the challenge to integrate more culturally diverse media from Bollywood in their teaching. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Hooray for Bollywood: using Hindi language films to teach economics

Authors: Wayne Geerling; Eshan Arya; Nikhil Damodaran; Nicola Thomas

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Texas at Austin Room 2.102 B, USA ' International House, University of Melbourne, 241 Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052, Australia ' Department of Economics, University of Melbourne, 111 Barry Street, Carlton, 3053, Australia ' Department of Economics, Charles Sturt University, 386 Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, 2640, Australia

Abstract: Many economic educators have been teaching with pop culture since the start of this century but until recently, the focus was almost exclusively on English-language media. In response to the increasing internationalisation of higher education, economic educators have begun to embrace foreign-language media sources, recognising the diverse and ever-changing nature of today's classrooms. We expand on the work of Ben Abdesslem and Picault (2023a, 2023b), who use Netflix Originals from across the globe to teach undergraduate-level economics. This article represents the first step towards the inclusion of Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry, in the economics curriculum. Bollywood films are famous for elaborate song-and-dance sequences, colourful costumes, and over-the-top storylines. Leveraging popular culture through mediums like Bollywood can enhance student engagement and participation in ways that 'chalk and talk' lectures cannot. We present a series of lesson plans based on two iconic modern Bollywood films to teach foundation-level concepts. We hope that over time educators will take up the challenge to integrate more culturally diverse media from Bollywood in their teaching.

Keywords: Bollywood; diversity; media; pop culture; teaching economics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEE.2024.141782

International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education, 2024 Vol.15 No.1, pp.54 - 68

Received: 20 Dec 2023
Accepted: 02 Apr 2024
Published online: 01 Oct 2024 *

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Title: Hooray for Bollywood: using Hindi language films to teach economics

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