ASSIGNMENT: Please see the film Shattered Glass (Lionsgate, 2004). You should be able to find the film online here or on DVD. The DVD cost is about $6. OV instant viewing provides other options. Most college library film collections have it too. Please contact your tutor immediately if you have any difficulty finding the film.
Questions:
[a] Although the film is not explicit on this point, what seems to be driving Stephen Glass? As best as you can tell, what are his life goals and aspirations? Did he truly "know himself," including his own strengths and weaknesses?
[b] Again, we can only hypothesize, but--before his downfall-- how do you think Glass would assess his own intelligence? Is it likely he saw himself as smarter than his colleagues and editors?
[c] Identify and discuss at least two strategies for deception Glass used. Why did they ultimately fail?
[d] Did Glass leave what Greenspan called "a trail of casualties" in his wake? Who/what was hurt/damaged by his deception?
[e] What advice would you give to editors about how to avoid hiring someone like Stephen Glass? What kind of pre-employment screening do you recommend?