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2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PIED5650M Diplomatic Practice

30 creditsClass Size: 32

Module manager: Blake Lawrinson
Email: B.W.Lawrinson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

BA in International Relations (or related subject)

This module is not approved as an Elective

This module is approved as a Skills Elective

Module summary

This module offers an introduction to contemporary diplomatic practice. The course examines the concept and history of diplomacy, its historical development, negotiation and mediation tactics and strategies, diplomacy arrangements at global, regional and local levels, and key issues around how diplomacy is perceived. A unique feature of this module is its practical and applied focus. Students will be introduced to key forms of negotiation and diplomatic practice, where case studies will be examined with the production of participatory and simulated negotiations. In addition, students will be introduced to a range of legal mechanisms used in global policy, with coverage on how various legal mechanisms are used, written and delivered.

Objectives

1. Introduce a range of theoretical and practical issues in diplomacy and
diplomatic practice
2. Introduce key forms of negotiation, negotiation practice, mediation,
policymaking and associated legal frameworks involved in global policy
3. Introduce analytical tools for evaluating and understanding diplomatic
practices and their implications on global policy formation
4. Develop students’ capacities for independent research and critical analysis
5. Develop students’ written and communication skills
6. Develop students’ ability to produce key policy documents involved in
diplomacy such as drafting resolutions and governmental position papers

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will have a detailed understanding of diplomacy and diplomatic practices, including negotiations and mediations, as well as the associated legal framework involved in global policy. They will have practiced these skills in class and will be able to produce policy documents, such as draft resolutions and government position papers. They will have developed analytical skills for evaluating and understanding diplomatic practices and assessing their implication on global policy formation. Student will have developed their written and communications skills.

Skills outcomes
Students will be skilled in the practices of diplomacy, including
negotiation, mediation and drafting resolutions and policy papers.


Syllabus

1. Understanding diplomacy in global governance
2. Working practices at the UN Security Council: What (or who) are they for?
3. The practices of international law
4. Nuclear Diplomacy
5. Human rights diplomacy
6. Simulation (mock negotiation)
7. Gender in international diplomacy
8. Climate change diplomacy
9. Violence, diplomacy, and civil society
10. Diplomacy and global health

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar112.000.00
Private study hours272.00
Total Contact hours0.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)272.00

Private study

Private study involves weekly preparation for class discussion and preparation of assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

There are three opportunities for formative feedback: 1) a 2500 word negation case study report detailing and analysing a key historical negotiation; 2) a 850 word governmental/civil society position paper on a key policy area associated with ongoing diplomatic efforts; 3) a 650 word reflective report on the simulation sessions.

These assignments are designed to deliver feedback in line with expectations associated with the production of these types of policy documents for governmental and non-governmental organisations. As a result, formative feedback in this module will focus the development of skills associated with the formulation of policy documents, such as how to draft a negotiated resolution and how to write a governmental paper for policy negotiation. The 2500 word case study report will provide more traditional feedback in terms of the appropriateness of case selection, description of empirical evidence, analytical ability and analysis.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Report1 x 850 Position paper30.00
Assignment1 x 650 Word Reflective20.00
Report1 x 2500 Negotiation Case Study (End of Term)50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Student progress with be monitored via: position paper assignment, assessment and Reflective report assignment. Students will be encouraged to submit topic / outline of negotiation report

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/01/2022

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