Discussion%20Questions%20for%20Enron

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Discussion Questionsfor Enron

• 1.Describe Enrons corporate strategy and culture
  and incentive system as reported in the film. Why
  did the company fail? Compare/contrast Enrons
  failure with the failures of major financial
  services firms last year (Lehman Brothers, WaMu,
  AIG).
• 2.Explain and evaluate the narrative methods used
  in producing this documentary. How is this
  narrative structured? How is the story developed?
  What role do interviews play? Who is the narrator
  and what is his/her point of view? How are music
  and visuals used? Is the narrative effective?

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Discussion Questionsfor Enron

• 3.Considering the different roles women play in
  this movie, discuss whether it is a feminist
  film.
• 4.Explain the analogy of the Milgram obedience
  experiment in the movie. (Remember that 50 of
  those who participated inflicted potentially
  lethal electric shocks.) Does it work? What were
  the implications of the experiment for
  participants? For experimental social science?
  What do you think would be the results if the
  experiment were repeated now?

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Borins reading

• Introductory chapter of book in progress
• Literature review and critique
• Importance of organizational context
• Engage with entire narrative, not just
  exemplification (cf. Garber on managerial
  readings of Shakespeare, esp. Henry V)
• Importance of both managerial content and
  narrative form
• Dominant/counter fables require context (Freedom
  Writers/Cheaters)
• Posner, Law and Literature gets it right

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Narrative Classification of Enron

• Documentary using an all-knowing narrator (starts
  at the end)
• Director Alex Gibneys point of view to show
  failings of unregulated market in this instance
  truthfulness or truthiness? Comparison to Michael
  Moore?
• Things fall apart genre in large corporate
  setting
• Is it an instance of the dominant fable or a
  counter-fable?

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Erikson Questions

• Ken Lay integrity or despair?
• Which values do you prefer Eriksons
  generativity (caring for the next generation) or
  Enrons he who dies with the most chips, wins?

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February 4 City Hall

1. The movie focuses on three competing narratives
   to investigate, explain publically, and hold
   accountable those responsible for the shootings
   with which it begins Calhouns, the Zapatti
   familys, and the union representing detective
   Santos. Outline each narrative and explain what
   the relevant party is doing to promulgate it. In
   general, how do you try to win a competition of
   narratives?

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City Hall

• 2. Discuss Mayor John Pappass strengths and
  weaknesses as a political leader. Also, evaluate
  Al Pacinos portrayal of that role.
• 3. Considering the movie as Kevin Calhouns
  bildungsroman, discuss how well he handled the
  professional and personal challenges and
  opportunities that confronted him.
  Compare/contrast Calhoun with Bud Fox in Wall
  Street.

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City Hall

• 4. A reality check Read the 2008 New York City
  performance report on the police
  (http//www.nyc.gov/html/ops/downloads/pdf/_mmr/ny
  pd.pdf). Is the picture it paints consistent with
  City Hall (1996)? Why or why not? Assume you are
  working in the Mayors policy office, with
  responsibility for communications, and a
  background in narrative. How would you
  communicate the findings of the performance
  report?