MGF5911 - Diplomacy and statecraft - 2017

Foreign policy involves relationships with other governments over which little control is directly exercised. Diplomacy as the art of persuasion is therefore an integral part of foreign policy. Just as democracy has transformed the domestic political environment of many countries since the eighteenth century, self-determination has transformed the international political environment in the twentieth century. The two traditions in statecraft -- one moral and universalist, one pragmatic and promoting the 'national interest' -- are tested in the context of bilateral, regional and multilateral modern diplomacy. Case studies in the Asia-Pacific and the challenges facing foreign policy.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. acquire the principles and practices of diplomacy, statecraft and international relations
2. reason in an informed way regarding diplomacy and statecraft
3. analyse and report on the international political and security environment
4. read critically and construct a sophisticated argument in relation to questions of diplomacy and statecraft.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Examination: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Professor Christopher Nyland

MGX9110