Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
Report Assignment
Report Assignment
Due Week 11, Value: 30% (see also the one-page marking rubric)
Submission of Report: In Blackboard, you will find instructions on how to
submit your report. Unless you make prior arrangements with me, or you are
finding difficulties with Blackboard, do not e-mail your report via my GBC e-mail.
The following are detailed instructions on how to present your report (form;
structure), and on what must be included in the content itself. Please read
carefully and if you still have questions, let me know at least one week before the
report is due.
As you read, note that ITEMS IN BOLD SIGNIFY EVALUATION CRITERIA; AS
YOU WORK, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU USE THESE AS A CHECKLIST
FOR ENSURING THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL ASSIGNED TASKS
Write a 1500 word critical report analyzing and critiquing one very
specific Conspiracy Theory (CT) concerning a famous person, armed/unarmed
struggle, war, society, or event. Your thesis statement should be carefully laid
out in the introductory paragraph of your report. Immediately after your thesis
statement, in your introduction, be clear (in one sentence) about whether you
agree or disagree with the CT (your later “Personal Opinion” section will
correspond to this).
By very specific CTs, I mean: choose (a) both a subject and (b) the person or
group allegedly responsible for exerting an influence on the subject. Here are two
examples among many available to you:
(i) the psychiatrist Greenson, working on behalf of the Kennedys, was
responsible for the death of Marilyn Monroe,
(ii) the CIA was responsible for the assassination of Che Guevara.
(1) Be unique in your selection:
As the course itself contains many popular CTs which tend to be repeated back to
me almost verbatim, I have decided NOT to accept CTs featuring the following
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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subjects: The Kennedy and Lincoln assassinations, 9/11 and bin Laden, the
murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie, Michael Jackson’s death, Area 51, Moon
landings, Princess Diana’s death, the Freemasons.
Writing an report on CTs already covered extensively in the course is neither
unique nor does it employ critical thinking skills–it is a regurgitation of the
material. Try unusual and challenging subjects for your studies, not discussed in
detail in your readings.
Here are some examples of fresh topics (not to be confused with thesis
statements):
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The theft/monopolization and appropriation of common resources, such
as water, by large multinationals who use water in their manufacturing
processes;
The exclusion of women and/or people of colour from positions of social
and economic power;
The regulation of birth and/or population;
The distribution of drugs, tobacco or alcohol by multinationals for the
encouragement of addiction;
Political intrigue (ie. assassinations, etc.) in your own country of origin.
If you do choose a CT from the reading modules, you must offer a different or
fresh take on the information, and introduce new ideas and a significant
degree of research/evidence that was not introduced in the readings.
(2) Analysis: This section should be the largest section of your paper.
!!!! Complete parts a and b (of this section, section 2). Now, choose two
of the remaining five (c through g) methods and apply them in an analysis of
the conspiracy theory you have chosen and the theorists who assert it.
(a) [mandatory] Whether or not you feel a theory has merit, critique it.
Discuss how your conspiracy theory might be specious, insubstantial, or overthe-top according to Daniel Pipes’ analytic tools and assumptions:
common sense; a knowledge of history; distinct patterns; + evidence: obscurity of
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
Report Assignment
evidence; reluctance to divulge information; reliance on forgeries;
inconsistencies; overabundant learned factoids; piling on conspiracy theories;
dismissing contradictory evidence as a sign of conspiracy; indiscriminately
accepting any argument that points to conspiracy; oblivious to the passage of
time; cavalier attitude toward facts; + assumptions, etc .
Note that the work of Daniel Pipes (Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style
Flourishes and Where it Comes From, 1997) is dedicated to
deconstructing and dispelling conspiracy theories and the very style of
conspiracism itself. I am quite aware of Pipes’ political affiliations;
he is a right-wing pundit. The purpose in using Pipes is to lend
balance and an opposing view to the analysis. Remember that Daniel
Pipes’ analytic tools, evidence, and assumptions, should be used to
refute your conspiracy theory whenever possible, not to support it.
(b) [mandatory] Discuss and analyze all of the available documentation
that has been used to assert/support your conspiracy theory. What this means is
that you must find scholarly articles, journal articles and articles from reputable
publications in order to support or refute your chosen CT. In addition, you must
critique the documentation itself. Here are the questions you want to ask:
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From where does the documentation originate?
Are there specific authors of the papers/journal articles asserting your
theory? Who are these authors? What is their background? Do they have a
background/expertise in the subject matter?
Do the authors present a logical train-of-thought, or do their arguments
seem to jump randomly, from one idea or genre of ideas to the next?
Do the authors actually have any access to documents (ie. declassified
C.I.A. operation assignments, letters, etc.) that would elevate their
assertions above the realm of speculation and into the realm of credible
research? What are their sources?
Are your authors’ papers, themselves, well-documented (ie. providing
author name, title, location of research, publisher, date)?
Do your authors consult a wide variety of sources, including people who
have had personal involvement in the subject matter of the conspiracy
theory, or are the views expressed confined only to those of the authors?
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(c) Review the Professor’s Icons PowerPoint. Now, perform a basic Semiotic
analysis of the icons in your study.
Use precise, accurate Semiotic terminology (i.e signifier, signified).
• Of what ideas are your icons symbolic? What does your icon represent in
the culture? Consider what the iconographic figure in your CT (i.e. the
subject of your conspiracy theory) represents/represented to different
types of people.
• Be certain to discuss your icon’s meaning for all perceivers– for
example, to many Americans, George W. Bush is a hero; to some, he is a
war-hawk and a poor business manager; to many people internationally,
he is an imperialist. To some, a hip-hop star is a champion of free speech;
to others, he may be offensive; to feminists or pacifists, he may be
considered misogynistic or violent. It is imperative that you present a
balanced view of your icons that discusses all aspects of meaning for all
potential perceivers. Be critical, even if you are a “fan.”
(d) Psychological analysis:
Re-read your psychology Power Points (Disorders, Freud, Jung, Maslow). What
would psychology (psychiatry, Freud, Jung, Maslow) say about the assertion of
the theory you have chosen? Try to briefly analyze the conspiracy theory
and its theorists using as many psychological paradigms (at least three) as
possible…
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Psychiatry: As Daniel Pipes describes, paranoia and other disorders may
play a prominent role in the psychological background of a conspiracy
theorist. Even if it has facts to support it, does your theory sound crazy to
ordinary listeners? If so, according to which disorder? Is a secret cabal of
powerful people running the world, listening to our private conversations,
brainwashing us? If your theory asserts such things but lacks proof,
perhaps it sounds paranoid to some listeners. Explain why theorists who
support your theory may be disordered, and how.
Freud: defenses (ie. projection, denial), parent complexes. Does your
theory involve the little man struggling against (often unnamed) powerful
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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leaders? If your theory asserts such things but lacks proof, perhaps it
sounds like a Freudian parent complex to some listeners. Do some
research. Explore the defence mechanisms that may come into play in the
assertion of your theory.
Jung: archetypes, parents as spiritual figures. Is your conspiracy theorist
(ie. Jesse Ventura or Barry Zwicker) a type of prophet? Does your
conspiracy theory involve an unwilling hero (ie. Bob Lazar of Area 51) up
against a unified establishment? A loner hero? (See the ‘List of Jungian
Archetypes’)
Maslow: hierarchy of needs. To what level(s) of Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs does your chosen conspiracy theory appeal? Is your safety/security
threatened by your conspiracy theory? This is the most common
Maslowian need to which conspiracy theories often appeal. Of course, if we
are examining the activities of a secret society, like the Masons or the
Bilderbergers, then Maslow’s Social/Belonging level is an important level
of analysis, both regarding membership in a closed group, or exclusion
from it.
(e) Sociological / Cultural Anthropology:
There are certain rituals, beliefs, and ways of communication that are distinctive
to Western culture, but are not found in some other cultures. With respect to
Western culture, the following are the kinds of things sociologists are concerned
with:
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The West is an individualistic rather than a communitarian culture;
In theory (rather than in practice), there is a belief in egalitarianism, i.e.
that all are created equal. Thus, in principle, Westerners reject the idea of
hierarchies (while paradoxically maintaining a class system);
Westerners are taught to question authority and to question things that
they don’t understand;
Rather than addressing others using family names or titles, Westerners are
generally taught to address people (strangers, neighbours, bosses) using
first names;
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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Report Assignment
like the ancient Egyptians, Westerners are obsessed with death—i.e. when
performers whom we have forgotten about pass away, suddenly they are
famous once again;
In the West, we are obsessed with time, with being on time, and with
saving time;
Westerners are accustomed to receiving brief, trivial information, i.e.
soundbites, about things—the Internet, Twitter, texting and other
technologies have enculturated us to accept superficiality. Thus, we yearn
for deeper explanations about cultural narratives;
Western analysis entails taking something apart and examining it in a
critical way. Thus, we are prepared to be suspicious when presented
with any story.
Consider all of these cultural norms, and others concerning human group
behaviours in our society, as you formulate a sociological analysis of your
CT.
(f) Political science: Is there a possibility that your CT is, itself, designed as a
distracter? For example, many have suggested that Stanton Friedman is a CIA
agent who propagates alien conspiracies in order to confuse people and to make
conspiracy theorists, in general, look foolish.
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From what sources might your CT have been asserted, in order to distract
members of society from actual ‘truths’? Is your CT a possible example of
‘bread and circuses’ or a ‘false flag’ in action?
Who benefits from your CT? (e.g. Jesse Ventura’s Conspiracy Theory show
concluded that the United States government actually fosters/promotes
the idea of UFOs and UFO sightings in order to distract from the actual
agenda of the Air Force at Nellis AFB/Area 51– the building and testing of
secret, space-aged aircraft).
Assuming that your CT is true, what political position or belief (ie.
Liberalism, Republicanism, Libertarianism, Communism, etc.) is
aligned/allied with your theory?
From which political position does your political analysis emerge?
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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(g) Literary theory: Think about the ‘plot’ of your conspiracy theory. Analyze
your theory as if it was a story, written by an author. Does the narrative of your
conspiracy theory follow the structure of any traditional myths and legends?
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good vs. evil;
the big guy trying to crush the little guy;
the little man against the gods;
gods disguised as mortals;
a secret pantheon of gods (ie. on Mount Olympus) who manipulate our
lives;
heroes disguised as ordinary people;
the good king murdered for political reasons.
Analyze your CT in terms of its similarities to mythological structures such
as the ones listed above or any others you may find in your research. Name a
specific ancient story to which your theory can be compared.
3) Discuss your icon’s consumer applications– discuss in detail, for
example, how your CT has become a ‘brand,’ used to sell posters, t-shirts, and
other merchandise (e.g. manufacturers know that the CTs surrounding her death
encourage people to wear Marilyn t-shirts and buy her memorabilia).
4) Provide only very brief historical background on the ‘story’ or ‘plot’ of
your conspiracy. You should concentrate on your analysis (parts 2 and 3 of the
assignment).
5) As your last section of the report, discuss briefly (in about 250 words) your
personal opinion of the CT and its impact on your own life and
consciousness. How has this CT been an influence on your own beliefs. Do you
agree or disagree with the theory? Use the word “I,” and reflect on your thoughts
and beliefs. Note: your personal opinion of the CT ought to correspond to your
agreement or disagreement with the thesis statement, provided in the
introduction of the report. It would be illogical to formulate an agreement or
disagreement with the thesis statement which is then contradicted by your
personal opinion.
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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6) Your report should be well-structured, with a clear introduction
paragraph (containing thesis and preview; the preview sentence previews
your entire report—ie. ‘these are the methods I will use in order to analyze this
theory’), a ‘body’ section containing the four analytic methods you have chosen,
and a conclusion, containing a recap of your research and your final thoughts
on the subject. For clarity, the use of subtitles, to indicate different sections of
the report, is required.
7) Use 6 hard-copy sources (3 books minimum, plus 3 articles, journals, or
newspapers), and create an alphabetized bibliography (MLA or APA styles
are acceptable).
Hard-copy sources are sources that you were able to hold in your hand: books,
newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals.
If you use online articles from reputable publications (ie. New York Times)
or scholarly journals (ie. American Psychologist) and wish for them to count
among your 6 hardcopy sources, cite them as if they were hardcopy sources,
omitting the retrieval notice normally required in citations of online sources.
Be sure to credit individual facts or opinions with in-text references, e.g…
(Jones 1972: 34). Even if you have not directly quoted from other sources, any
ideas, historical facts, or opinions of authors other than yourself must be
accurately referenced– at a college level, you must give credit to all those
who contribute to your report in any conceivable manner.
Ask yourself (a) is this a universal fact I learned as a child? [ie. “Jesus was
crucified by the Romans” or “Muhammad is the spiritual leader who is
considered to be the founder of Islam”]; and (b) is this a fact known to everyone
[ie. “February is the second month of the year”]. If the answers to either of these
questions is “no,” you must provide a reference for your fact or
assertion. Facts and ideas that are more complex than those you learned early
in life are usually facts that you read somewhere or facts that were told to you. If
your friend/sibling told you about Kurt Cobain, for example, you must provide
references to articles, publications, or journals to support the hearsay
assertions of your sibling.
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Conspiracy Theories: From Politics to Paranoia
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You may use some web sources, but these must be included only in addition to
your six books, journals, or newspaper articles. You may not use a web source
unless the following information is provided: author, title of article, web
publisher name (organization posting the article), and the date of the
article. In addition, as per MLA/APA format, provide the date on which you
‘retrieved’ the article from the WWW.
8) Your work must be original– the submission of even a partiallyplagiarized paper will result in an automatic failure.
Write in your own words and then edit!
