Essay Instructions: Analyzing “Dumb Money” (2023) through Stasis Theory, Corporate Apologia, and Conflict Resolution Techniques
Objective:
Analyze the 2023 film “Dumb Money” by discussing its portrayal of Stasis theory, corporate apologia, and conflict resolution techniques, as outlined in Chapters 12 and 13 of Ihlen and Heath’s “The Handbook of Organizational Rhetoric and Communication.”
Length:
500-800 words
Structure:
- Introduction (50-100 words):
– Briefly introduce the film “Dumb Money.”
– State the purpose of your essay.
– Mention the key concepts you will be discussing: Stasis theory, corporate apologia, and conflict resolution techniques.
- Summary of “Dumb Money” (100-150 words):
– Provide a brief synopsis of the film, focusing on the main plot and characters.
– Highlight the central conflict involving the GameStop short squeeze.
- Stasis Theory (150-200 words):
– Explain Stasis theory as discussed in Chapter 12.
– Identify and analyze how the film depicts the different stages of Stasis (fact, definition, quality, and policy).
– Provide specific examples from the film where these stages are evident.
- Corporate Apologia (150-200 words):
– Define corporate apologia according to Chapter 13.
– Analyze how the film portrays corporate apologia through the actions and statements of the hedge funds and financial institutions involved.
– Discuss any public apologies, defenses, or rhetorical strategies used by these corporations in the film.
- Conflict Resolution Techniques (150-200 words):
– Outline the conflict resolution techniques discussed in Chapters 12 and 13.
– Analyze how these techniques are portrayed in the film, particularly in the interactions between the retail investors and the hedge funds.
– Provide examples of how conflicts are managed, escalated, or resolved throughout the film.
- Conclusion (50-100 words):
– Summarize your main points.
– Reflect on the effectiveness of the film in portraying these communication concepts.
– Offer any final thoughts or implications for understanding real-world corporate communication and conflict resolution.
Detailed Steps:
- Preparation:
– Watch the film “Dumb Money” carefully, taking notes on key scenes related to corporate communication, conflict, and resolution.
– Read Chapters 12 and 13 of Ihlen and Heath’s book to understand the theoretical frameworks of Stasis theory and corporate apologia.
- Writing the Essay:
– Introduction: Briefly introduce the film and the purpose of your essay. State that you will be analyzing the portrayal of Stasis theory, corporate apologia, and conflict resolution techniques.
– Summary: Provide a concise summary of the film, focusing on the GameStop short squeeze and the central conflict between retail investors and hedge funds.
– Stasis Theory: Explain the four stages of Stasis theory (fact, definition, quality, policy). Identify scenes in the film where these stages are portrayed. For example, discuss how the film presents the factual debate over the value of GameStop stock, the definition of market manipulation, the quality or morality of the hedge funds’ actions, and the policies or responses proposed by different stakeholders.
– Corporate Apologia: Define corporate apologia and its key components (e.g., denial, bolstering, differentiation, transcendence). Analyze how hedge funds and financial institutions in the film use these strategies to defend their actions. Provide specific examples, such as press conferences or interviews where corporate representatives attempt to manage public perception.
– Conflict Resolution Techniques: Describe the conflict resolution techniques outlined in the chapters, such as negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. Discuss how these techniques are depicted in the film, focusing on key scenes where conflicts between retail investors and hedge funds are addressed or resolved. Highlight any successful or failed attempts at conflict resolution.
– Conclusion: Summarize the main points of your analysis. Reflect on how effectively the film portrays the communication concepts discussed. Offer any final thoughts on the implications of these portrayals for understanding real-world corporate communication and conflict resolution.
- Editing and Proofreading:
– Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
– Ensure that each section flows logically into the next.
– Check for grammatical and spelling errors.
– Make sure all your examples from the film are accurately described and relevant to the concepts discussed.
References:
– Include citations from “The Handbook of Organizational Rhetoric and Communication” where necessary.
– Cite any additional sources you use to support your analysis.
By following these detailed steps, you will be able to produce a well-structured and insightful essay that analyzes “Dumb Money” through the lens of Stasis theory, corporate apologia, and conflict resolution techniques.