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PIR-30153 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

PIR-30153 - Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
Coordinator: Bulent Gokay Room: CBA2.002 Tel: +44 1782 7 33512
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2021/22

Diplomats are the instruments through whom states communicate and attempt to adjust their relations; diplomacy is the skill (or art) and techniques used in this endeavour. The practice of diplomacy is thus of considerable importance for the modern world and this module seeks to understand its practice. The tutorials concentrate on analysing the role of diplomats in the making and execution of foreign policy, examining at the evolution of diplomacy over the last century and the major challenges that face it in the twenty-first century. Those who are considering a career requiring diplomatic skills will be able to develop a deeper understanding of the field. It will also interest those interested in learning more about how states communicate with each other.

Aims
This module integrates the history, theory and practice of diplomacy with the aim of enabling students to explain and evaluate the practice of diplomacy, based on analysis of cases from the diplomatic services of multiple countries.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pir-30153/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate key issues in the study of diplomacy: 1
Offer informed analysis of the challenges of diplomacy in practice: 1,2
Analyse theories of diplomacy and apply them to cases: 1,2
Communicate their own arguments effectively and clearly: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours tutorials
130 hours of independent study including seminar preparation, foreign policy memo, and negotiation.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 50%
Foreign Policy Memo
On the student¿s choice of one of several contemporary diplomatic challenges provided, students take the role of an embassy officer writing a briefing paper addressed to their government in which they interpret the position policy of their host country regarding the scenario and recommend a diplomatic course of action. The length of this memo is 1500 words.

2: Group Project weighted 50%
Simulated Negotiation
On a case study provided, and in small groups of 3-4, students prepare a negotiation brief (1000 words, 40%, group mark), engage in a simulated negotiation (20%, group mark), and write an individual reflective piece linking their experience to theories of diplomacy (500 words, 40%).

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 16 February 2022