The Profession of Diplomacy: What do Diplomats do? What has changed in four decades? What has remained the same? Personal qualities. Skills and knowledge. Managing people and information. Access and influence. Qualifications and training. Leadership. The need for diverse thinking.
Making and Delivering Foreign Policy: The role of the Foreign Ministry in government. How is policy made? The role of the Embassy and the diplomat in the field. What is the added value of an Ambassador? Multilateral and Bilateral diplomacy; Class exercise - eg the Skripal case.
Ministry and Embassy: How is a Foreign Ministry organized? Working with politicians. Finance and personnel management. How is an Embassy organized? Embassy-Ministry Relations; Security, outreach, relations with home.
Policy Making: class exercise on drafting a policy submission; clearance and implementation of policy; role of an Embassy in influencing policy; delivery in the field; reporting - guide to better use of English. An illustrative week in the Life of diplomats in various roles.
Consular Activities and Crisis Management: the role of Diplomats in managing conflict and crisis at the centre of government and in the field. Case studies from our experience. Consular work and protection of citizens.
Media and Public Diplomacy : communication and working with journalists. Reputational management. Addressing the public in other countries. Promotion of ideas.
Economic Diplomacy: Promoting prosperity and economic goals. National economic interests and the multilateral economic system. Trade and Investment Promotion. Multilateral Diplomacy and EU Diplomacy : bilateralism vs. multilateralism. Summit diplomacy. National diplomacy in Brussels.
Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge of historical and modern Diplomatic practice, at home and abroad.
2. Knowledge of alternative government Foreign Policy structures
3. Knowledge of British and Czech diplomatic systems in recent practice
Professional Skills
Writing skills in an official context.
Experience in persuasion and negotiation.
- Online learning activities: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 80 hours a semester
- Two assessments based on individual or group contributions in class discussions. Each 5% of the total
- Two written tasks will be set at the end of the sixth and twelth sessions for completion within four weeks at homes. Each 45% of the total final grade.
- These assessments will be made by each instructor at the end of the semester. Each will be worth 5% of the final grade.
Individual email at end of course
Open invitation to contact the instructors on any topic or issue at any time