IN OTHER WORDS: CRAFTING FICTION TO UNDERSTAND THEORY
Loading...
Authors
Lindberg, Nikolaj
Subjects
fiction
storytelling
terrorism
Moghaddam’s staircase
radicalization
coercion theory
deradicalization
SOF
theory of SOF
storytelling
terrorism
Moghaddam’s staircase
radicalization
coercion theory
deradicalization
SOF
theory of SOF
Advisors
Freeman, Michael E.
Naficy, Siamak T.
Date of Issue
2022-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Fiction is an underappreciated tool for learning in defense analysis. Reading and writing fiction built on academic theory and models in defense analysis could help strengthen students’ understanding of the motivations of people on both sides of conflicts. This capstone project breaks ground by showing how short stories can be written over the framework of established theory related to terrorism and how those fictional narratives can increase students’ comprehension of select theories. This paper also shows how writing and analyzing these stories can help students conceptualize the thought processes of the people in real-world situations related to the theories depicted. By examining four pieces of acclaimed fiction that engage the reader in topics related to defense analysis, the project identifies techniques used by authors to relay their messages. Using similar techniques, this project’s author constructs four stories based on terrorist radicalization, coercion theory, theory of special operations, and terrorist deradicalization. Read individually, the stories can strengthen comprehension of their respective parent theory or model and, if read in sequence, can clarify the connections between various topics and models in defense analysis. The project provides practical guidance on the use of fiction to strengthen students’ comprehension of theory and models in defense analysis and encourages its expanded use in the Naval Postgraduate School’s curriculum.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.