DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN POLICY
GRADO EN ESTUDIOS GLOBALES/GLOBAL STUDIES
Curso 2023/2024
1. Subject Information
(Date last modified: 18-04-23 17:31)- Code
- 109020
- Plan
- 290
- ECTS
- 4.00
- Type
- Compulsory
- Year
- 3
- Duration
- First semester
- Area
- DERECHO INTERNACIONAL PÚBLICO Y RELACIONES INTERN.
- Departament
- Derecho Público General
- Virtual platform
Professor Information
- Profesor/Profesora
- Polly Ruth Polak
- Group/s
- Único
- Centre
- Fac. Derecho
- Office
- 227
- Office hours
- -
- Web address
- http://campus.usal.es/~derechointernacionalpublico
- pollypolak@usal.es
- Telephone
- 923294400 Ext. 1673
2. Association of the subject matter within the study plan
Curricular area to which the subject matter pertains.
International Relations
Purpose of the subject within the curricular area and study plan.
To deepen the student’s knowledge and skills in diplomacy as a fundamental part of a state’s foreign policy and international relations.
Professional profile.
The contents and techniques of this subject are essential for professionals who specialize in international issues, especially diplomats, but also for political scientist, civil servants, etc.
3. Prerequisites
Those acquired by passing the main subjects of the first and second courses of the Degree, such as “International Relations”, “Public International Law” and “European Union”.
4. Learning objectives
This subject seeks to offer the student a comprehensive and competent guide to the multiple dimensions and forms of expression of diplomacy, the art of negotiating international agreements and the channels through which such activities occur when states are in diplomatic relations, and when they are not. By combining theory and practice, the subject provides learners with the essentials of all aspects of diplomacy and foreign policy as practiced today, from illustrating the complexity of the management of the diplomatic service and in particular of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs to the impact globalisation has had on a state’s relations with the world and how multilateral diplomacy is becoming the predominant shape of the international dialogue.
5. Contents
Theory.
I. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy: 1. Introduction to diplomacy and foreign policy. 2. General aspects and differences between international relations, foreign policy and diplomacy. 3. History of diplomacy.
II. State bodies for Foreign Relations: 1. Head of State or Government. 2. The Foreign Minister. 3. The Foreign Ministry: history and functions.
III. Channels of Diplomacy: 1. Introduction: permanent and ad hoc diplomacy. 2. Legal instruments. 3. Embassies: history, functions, immunities and privileges. 4. Consular missions: history, immunities and functions. 4. Permanent Representations to International Organisations. 5. Special Missions. 6. Conferences and Summits.
IV. The “new” European common diplomacy: 1. Introduction to diplomacy in the EU. 2. Bilateral diplomacy. 3. Multilateral Diplomacy. 4. External diplomatic relations: the EEAS and EU Delegations.
V. Recent diplomatic practice: case studies.
Practice.
There will be class essays or case studies relating to some of the relevant issues dealt with in the theoretical classes to be chosen by the professors.
6. Competences acquired
Basic / General.
Básicas: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4. Generales: A1, A3, A4, A5.
Specific.
B7, B11, B12, B13
7. Teaching methods
This subject combines both theoretical and practical classes in a 70% and 30% relevance respectively. For all of them a previous preparation on the part of the student will be required by using the materials or references offered by the professors, meaning the “master sessions” will only represent approximately 50% of the theoretical part.
8. Anticipated distribution of the use of the different teaching methods
9. Resources
Reference books.
- ‘Diplomacy. Theory and Practice’ by G. R. Berridge (Palgrave)
- ‘Modern Diplomacy’ by R. P. Barston (Routledge)
- Part III of ‘Introduction to Politics’ by R. Garner et al (OUP)
- Introduction of ‘Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy’ by J. Heine et al (OUP)
10. Assessment
General considerations.
The assessment instruments will be the following:
- Passing the exam. The modality of the exam will be a multiple-choice test (70 % of the final mark).
- Hand in the case studies and an active participation in practical and theoretical classes and seminars (30 %).
Guidelines in the case of failing the subject.
The requirements for the second exam are the same of those for the ordinary call.