OADI 2410 - Navigating High-Stakes Negotiations:Leadership, Interests & Constraints in a Fragmenting World

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

This course examines the practice of diplomacy under high-stakes and high-pressure conditions, focusing on the evolving global order marked by fragmentation, power shifts, and multipolar competition. Students will explore diplomatic negotiation strategies through the lens of three major domains: conflict, security, and trade. Through historical and contemporary case studies—including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and global trade tensions—students will gain insights into how interests and constraints are defined, diplomatic tools are deployed, and multilateral processes unfold.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the interplay between national interests and constraints, multilateral institutions, and informal diplomatic networks through three real-world diplomacy cases.
• Develop analytical skills to assess diplomatic strategies in high-conflict and high-stakes environments.
• Acquire practical tools and negotiation techniques used in diplomacy, and apply them by critically evaluating case studies through simulations, policy briefs, and stakeholder mapping.

Professional Skills

● Analytical Thinking: Evaluating complex information and synthesizing key insights

● Strategic Decision-Making: Navigating policy challenges and selecting appropriate courses of action

● Effective Communication and Debating: Presenting arguments clearly and persuasively (ideally reaching one’s negotiation objectives)

● Cross-Cultural Competence: Demonstrating awareness and sensitivity in diverse international contexts

● Policy Memo Writing: Crafting concise, impactful policy recommendations grounded in evidence

none.

The instructor will provide weekly oral feedback on the Reading Questions during class, focusing on the most relevant and frequently raised topics. Additionally, each negotiation simulation will be followed by a debriefing session. Students are also welcome to schedule individual appointments to discuss their performance and feedback in greater detail.

Assessment:

Policy Memo (25% of final average grade) - individual work

● Length: Maximum 1,000 words

● Topics must be approved by the instructor

● Examples will be provided at the beginning of the course, and will be discussed in Session 3

● Deadline for submission: Session 6

Simulation Participation (60% of final average grade) - Group work (3–4 students per group)

● Two simulation exercises in sessions 7&8, and in Session 11 (30% each), assessed separately

● Evaluation based on engagement, strategic input, and teamwork

Active Participation and Reading Completion (15% of final average grade)

● Based on class contributions, preparation, and demonstrated familiarity with assigned readings

• In Class Presence: 4 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 38 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 4 hours a week / 50 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 3 hours a week / 38 hours a semester