Date
6-2015
Department
Communication Studies
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Chair
Cecil V. Kramer
Keywords
Benghazi, Clinton, Dramatism, Interpersonal Deception Theory, Pentad, State Department
Disciplines
Communication | International Relations | Political Science
Recommended Citation
Kirk, Robert Taylor, "The Buck Stops in Benghazi: A Practical Application of the Dramatistic Pentad and Interpersonal Deception Theory" (2015). Masters Theses. 359.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/359
Abstract
This study sought to determine whether or not the rhetoric of the Obama administration in response to the attacks on the consulate in Benghazi provided motivation for deception in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This was done by utilizing Burke's dramatistic pentad to frame the events of the attack the responsive rhetoric to lay the foundation for a qualitative analysis that was conducted using criteria distilled from Buller and Burgoon's Interpersonal Deception Theory. This study posed two research questions. The first research question sought to determine through the use of the pentad whether or not the rhetoric of the Obama administration provided motivation for deception for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony. The second research question sought to identify through the use of qualitative analysis whether or not Secretary Clinton engaged in deception during her testimony. These questions were answered in the affirmative. The overarching premise of this study is a call for transparency in government.
