Introduction to Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:2.00

Study Course Accepted:08.03.2024 13:21:38

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_005		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.67		ECTS:		4.00
Branch of Science:		Politics; International Politics		Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Māris Cepurītis
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		11	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		22
Classes (count)		9	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		18
Total Contact Hours								40
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
For successful completion of the study course, students must have a prior knowledge of the historical development of the international system and the fundamentals of international relations.
Objective:
The objective of the course is to provide an insight into the theory and practice of diplomacy as a component of foreign policy processes.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction. Basic Concepts of Foreign Policy and Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	The Development of Diplomacy From Its Origins to the Present			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
3	Legal Framework of Diplomatic Activity			Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Actors			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Diplomatic Environments: Bilateral Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Diplomatic Environments: Multilateral Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	The Practical Expression of National Diplomacy: Diplomatic Services and Foreign Policy			Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Diplomatic Environments: Public Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	Non-Traditional Actors in Diplomacy: International Organisations and Non-State Actors			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	Latvian Diplomatic Service			Classes		1.00	study trip
11	The Content of Diplomacy: Diplomacy of Security, Economic and Cultural Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
12	Trends and Actors in 21st Century Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
13	Diplomatic Negotiations			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
14	Pre-Exam Tutorials			Classes		2.00	auditorium
15	Exam			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
As part of the study course, students will be required to study the required readings (up to 100 pages of text for each class), write four summaries on the specified topics, pass literature tests, write a report, and pass the final course examination. To assess the overall quality of the study course, the student must complete the course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
- Participation and quality of answers in seminars – 25%; - Essays and tests on the literature read – 25%; - Report – 25%; - Exam grade – 25%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Ability to understand in depth the basic principles of forming state-to-state relations and diplomacy as an instrument of national foreign policy. To gain basic knowledge of the different types of national diplomacy – bilateral diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy and public diplomacy. To gain an understanding of the role of different actors in shaping and implementing national foreign policy and diplomacy.
Skills:		Ability to identify national approaches in different types of diplomacy – bilateral, multilateral and public diplomacy. Ability to identify the actors involved in diplomacy and their roles in different types of diplomacy. Ability to understand the diplomatic negotiation process and the interests and negotiating approaches of the parties involved.
Competencies:		During the study course, students will improve their competence in relation to international relations, national foreign policy and diplomacy as one of the manifestations of national foreign policy.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2	Sir. Ivor Roberts (Ed.). Satow’s Diplomatic Practice. 2023.
3	Fisher R., Ury W. Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement without Giving In. 2012.
4	Fisher R., Shapiro D. Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate. 2005.
5	Pauline Kerr, Geoffrey Wiseman (Ed.). Diplomacy in a Globalizing World. Theories and Practices Oxford University Press: New York, 2017.
6	Andrew F. Cooper, Jorge Heine, and Ramesh Thakur (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2013.
7	Costas M. Constantinou, Pauline Kerr, Paul Sharp. The Sage Handbook of Dplomacy. Melbourne: Sage Publications, 2016.
8	Vīnes konvencija par diplomātiskajiem sakariem/Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
9	Nancy Snow, Nicholas J. Cull (Ed.). Routledge Handbook of Public Diplomacy. Routledge, 2020.
10	Thierry Balzaq, Frederic Charillon, Frederic Ramel Eds. Global Diplomacy. An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.
11	Alhashimi H., Fiallo A., Freckleton T., Khalil, M.A., Naby M., Viera J. The Future of Diplomacy After COVID-19. New York: Routledge, 2021.
Additional Reading
1	The Future of Diplomacy Project. John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
2	Joseph Nye introduces the idea of ‘Soft Power’ and Public Diplomacy.
3	Kennon H. Nakamura, Susan B. Epstei. Diplomacy for the 21 St Century: Transformational Diplomacy, CRS Report For Congress.
4	E Diplomat.
5	Madeleine Albright: On being a woman and a diplomat.
6	Chatham House.
7	Council on Foreign Relations.
8	Harvards Negotiations Project.
9	The Future of Diplomacy Project.
10	DIPLO.