CIF Flashcards
(326 cards)
What does Eric Langenbacher classify Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 as?
A. Investigative journalism
B. Propaganda
C. Objective documentary
D. Political satire
B. Propaganda
According to Langenbacher, what distinguishes a documentary from propaganda?
A. Use of humor and irony
B. Audience reach and influence
C. Objective truth-telling versus manipulation for political agendas
D. Inclusion of expert interviews
C. Objective truth-telling versus manipulation for political agendas
How does Langenbacher critique Moore’s editing style?
A. It is minimalistic and underproduced
B. It lacks any music or cinematic tools
C. It uses manipulative editing and factual distortions
D. It is slow-paced and overly academic
C. It uses manipulative editing and factual distortions
What does Langenbacher identify as the structural flaw of Fahrenheit 9/11?
A. Excessive humor
B. Lack of interviews
C. Comprising three films in one, which dilutes the message
D. Overreliance on special effects
C. Comprising three films in one, which dilutes the message
Which of the following is NOT one of the three narrative threads in the film?
A. Anti-war critique
B. Climate change urgency
C. Conspiracy theory about Bush’s motives
D. Class warfare commentary
B. Climate change urgency
What makes the anti-war section of Fahrenheit 9/11 compelling?
A. Its comedic value
B. Emotional depiction of war’s impact on civilians and soldiers
C. Interviews with oil executives
D. Footage from war training camps
B. Emotional depiction of war’s impact on civilians and soldiers
How does Moore portray class exploitation in the film?
A. By showing military training in private schools
B. By exposing congressional salaries
C. Through scenes of recruitment in poor areas and confrontations with politicians
D. By analyzing tax policy
C. Through scenes of recruitment in poor areas and confrontations with politicians
What effect does Langenbacher argue the film has on political audiences?
A. Encourages bipartisan dialogue
B. Unites conservatives and liberals
C. Polarizes and energizes existing supporters while alienating undecided voters
D. Promotes voter apathy
C. Polarizes and energizes existing supporters while alienating undecided voters
According to Singer, what is the primary motivation of PMFs?
A. National security
B. Public service
C. Profit
D. Military discipline
C. Profit
What issue does Singer highlight about PMF hiring practices?
A. They only recruit recent college graduates
B. They have rigorous moral screening
C. They sometimes hire former criminals and unvetted foreign fighters
D. They avoid hiring military veterans
C. They sometimes hire former criminals and unvetted foreign fighters
Why do PMFs avoid media and public scrutiny?
A. Their contracts are private and exempt from FOIA requests
B. They receive universal support from NGOs
C. They publish weekly transparency reports
D. They are overseen by the UN
A. Their contracts are private and exempt from FOIA requests
What legal problem exists with prosecuting PMF employees for war crimes?
A. They have diplomatic immunity
B. They are usually stationed outside conflict zones
C. They are not bound by military or clearly defined civilian laws
D. They often work under direct military command
C. They are not bound by military or clearly defined civilian laws
What is one consequence of PMFs paying significantly more than the traditional military?
A. Improved military morale
B. Better government recruitment
C. Drain of elite soldiers from the military to PMFs
D. Decrease in global security threats
C. Drain of elite soldiers from the military to PMFs
What does Langenbacher argue is the effect of combining three distinct narratives in Fahrenheit 9/11?
It dilutes the film’s overall message and undermines its credibility by lacking a cohesive focus.
How does Moore use music in Fahrenheit 9/11 to influence viewer emotions?
He uses ironic and emotionally charged music to manipulate audience perceptions.
Summarize the ‘Conspiracy Theory’ narrative Langenbacher identifies in the film.
Moore alleges Bush used 9/11 to justify the Iraq War due to oil interests and Saudi ties.
Why does Langenbacher believe the film (Fahrenheit 911) polarizes rather than persuades?
It appeals to Moore’s base, alienates undecided viewers, and energizes Bush supporters.
List two examples Singer gives to show PMFs operate in legal grey zones.
PMFs aren’t covered by military law and contractors often aren’t prosecuted, e.g., Abu Ghraib.
How do PMFs pose a threat to the traditional military?
They attract skilled soldiers with higher pay, weakening the military’s effectiveness.
What is the significance of FOIA exemption for PMFs?
It prevents public oversight by hiding contractor casualties and misconduct.
What does Lesson 1 from ‘Fog of War’ emphasize?
A. Military strength
B. Technological superiority
C. Empathizing with the enemy
D. Avoiding all conflict
C. Empathizing with the enemy
Which historical event illustrates Lesson 1’s value in the film?
A. Vietnam War
B. Korean War
C. Cuban Missile Crisis
D. Gulf War
C. Cuban Missile Crisis
What example does McNamara use to illustrate the risks of misperception (Lesson 7)?
A. Cuban Missile Crisis
B. Gulf of Tonkin incident
C. Tet Offensive
D. My Lai Massacre
B. Gulf of Tonkin incident
What moral dilemma is raised in Lesson 9 of ‘Fog of War’?
A. Use of propaganda
B. Weaponization of media
C. Doing good may require morally questionable actions
D. Mismanagement of data
C. Doing good may require morally questionable actions