Date of Award
5-10-2026
Date Published
June 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Film and Media Arts
Advisor(s)
Laura Heyman
Abstract
In this thesis, I explore the relationship between satire and systems thinking, drawing on the DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives) theory of Systems Thinking developed by Dr. Derek Cabrera as a lens through which to examine satire as both a creative and cognitive phenomenon. In my view, satire functions not merely as a tonal mode of storytelling but as a deliberate cognitive engagement that operates on the audience's preexisting mental models, subverting and reorganizing them to generate new meaning. Referencing well-known satirical works of cinema, including Dr. Strangelove and Brazil, I aim to articulate how satire uses humor and absurdity to bypass instinctual rejection of difficult subject matter, creating space for empathetic and critical reflection. I then apply this framework to three of my own films, Perfect Family of the Brighter Tomorrow (2024), Don't Drink Coffee (2025), and Man of the Moment (2026), examining how writing, directing, cinematography, and mise-en-scène function in concert to produce satirical meaning around the themes of wealth, class, generations, privilege, and power.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Kossack, David, "Systems Thinking and Satire" (2026). Theses - ALL. 1031.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/1031
