OADI 2305 - Networks and Diplomacy (Lecture)

***UPDATED for 2023/24***

Professional diplomats learn to develop and rely on institutional and personal relational networks, offline and online, to carry out their work in foreign affairs and policy, and to build a career and a reputation. This course explores the nature, complexity, and management (both organizational and individual) of such diplomatic networks that constitute forms of personal and professional social capital. It starts by providing a basic overview of main diplomatic practices (representation, negotiation, and communication) then a basic overview of network skills, network analysis, and network theory. The course invites diplomats and former diplomats as guest speakers to share their experiences with respect to this dimension of their practice.
Learning Outcomes

1. Theoretical reasoning about diplomacy and networking

2. Role and types of networking in diplomatic practices

3. Technical introduction to network analysis, theoretical introduction to network theory

Professional Skills

Network methodology.

Network reasoning in diplomatic practices.

Critical reading of case studies using this methodology and learning from experienced diplomats.

Christian LEQUESNE,Emmanuel LAZEGA

Cours magistral seul

English

- In Class Presence: 24 hours a semester

- Reading and Preparation for Class: 24 hours a semester

- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 6 hours a semester

- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 15 hours a semester

None

Autumn 2023-2024

(i) Midterm: Individual 3-page critical summary of a book or academic paper on a topic dealt with in class, for Week 7.

(ii) Final: Group work – critical essay: Team preparation of interviews of guest diplomats for weeks 7 to 11: presentation, synthesis, and evaluation of the session. The critical essay is due by the end of the semester. Teams of 5-6 students will write a 10 pages essay on the conference of the guest speakers and the main concepts and realities presented by them. Students team up by themselves, choose a topic to research, and seek approval for this choice by week 3.

(iii) Grading weights: Midterm paper summary: 30%. Group preparation of guest sessions and critical essay: 60%. Individual, group, participation: 10%.