OADI 2440 - Diplomacy: Methods and Mastery (New)

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

This course is a transition from student life to professional life: no theory, only practice.

It is based on acquiring the principles of practical diplomacy that a professional must master. It begins with an in-depth reflection on the nature of the values and interests that a diplomat must defend in his daily work. The practice of bilateral and multilateral actions is examined, followed by an emphasis on communication through a public speaking exercise.

The second part of the semester is devoted to asymmetrical situations: the use of force, with a particular examination of the attitudes of the United States, Russia and Europe. Asymmetry is experienced concretely within the framework of a negotiation exercise.

The objective is to provide students with the keys to accurately assess the diplomatic context of their activities, regardless of their future sector of activity: diplomacy, international organizations, the press, or NGOs.

Learning Outcomes

• knowledge of diplomatic mechanisms

2.mastery of diplomatic language

3.mechanisms of the use of force

4.complex negotiation experience

Professional Skills

The course should give the student the equivalent of a brief diplomatic professional experience

A very good knowledge of current diplomatic affairs is essential for good participation in the course.

The students can ask by email to the teacher for any feedback at any time.

A commentary will be made on each presentation of a memo in class (at the end of the session if the student so wishes)

Feedback will be provided after the definition and expression of position exercise (6th session)

A detailed individual comment on the written text commentary exercise will be sent by email to each student.

Part of the last session will be devoted to a collective evaluation of the class.

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on the students’ ability to provide a professional type of service, as close as possible to the real life of a diplomatic adviser.

It will consider the student's ability to assimilate and use the pragmatic principles and tools of the course and to combine them with his/her own culture.

The exercises will be as follows (percentage of the final assessment):

• participation in class discussions 10%
• oral presentation of a memo in class (short memo 5 minutes “sitting next to your minister in a car”: 25%.
• exercise in defining and expressing a position (6th session) 15%
• written commentary on a topical diplomatic text 30%
• participation in the final negotiation exercise (sessions 9,10,11) 20%

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: xx hours a week / xx hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 02 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: xx hours a week / 4 hours a semester