This assessment will demonstrate your ability to think critically about the assigned Information Operations related materials (below) and communicate these ideas logically in the from of an an Argumentative Essay.
Argumentative Essay Writing Requirement: Synthesize the ideas explored in the video summary of Robert Cialdini’s Influence and Montagu’s “The Man Who Never Was” in a concise, cogent essay that takes and defends a stance on the following: Were any of the psychological principles Cialdini introduces apparent in the planning and execution of Operation Mincemeat?
READ: Montagu, Ewen, The Man Who Never Was, Naval Institute Press, 1953. (This is a free copy of this book available through University of Chicago. If you have a different way to access this material, you may do so. If the discussions indicates that your version is different, please share any value that you may find from a different version in your discussion.)
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Great_Britain/_Topics/history/_Texts/MONMAN/home.html
WATCH – A short video summary (Science of Persuasion) of Cialdini’s work. (You may read the full version of Cialdini’s book. If you have further input to share with your classmates, please do so in the discussions.) available on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw
Cialdini, Robert B., has several publication related to Influence that can be found at: https://www.influenceatwork.com/books/
Standards:
1. Essays should be at least 850 words, but no more than 1100 words double-spaced,12 point Arial font, with one-inch margins and will include a title page with an Acknowledgement Statement as necessary.
2. Essays will be graded on students’ ability to support their position logically and effectively on the assigned topic while demonstrating an ability to structure their thoughts in a clear and compelling way, and to abide by accepted rules of grammar and syntax. Footnotes should be formatted according to CGSC Student Text 22-2.
3. Essays should constitute students’ own thoughts, ideas and work effort. Students are permitted and encouraged to discuss the essay topic with colleagues, faculty and friends throughout the process. Students will include an Acknowledgement Statement on the title page that accurately describes specific interactions or help received in preparing the essay, e.g., “I acknowledge the help of CPT Jones in choosing the topic and narrowing the scope of the paper to the interaction of three distinct capabilities. CPT Williams proofread the paper and made substantial recommendations to improve my conclusion.” All other sources must be documented in footnotes. A bibliography is not necessary.
4. Coversheet and paper will be arranged in order submitted.
5. Essay will be turned in before the completion of the course. The date will be posted on your class assignments.
Learning Level: Synthesis
ASSESSMENT PLAN: Your assessment for this assignment will be based on your individual finished product as per CGSC 1009W.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: While limited research is permissible, students should understand that the main intent of this paper is to demonstrate an ability to structure a cogent, concise and compelling argument. Your own experience can be as effective in supporting your points as anything else.
