Curso 2025/2026 | guias.usal.es

Curso Académico 2025/2026

DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN POLICY

Estudios Globales / Global Studies

1. Subject Information

(Date last modified: 27-05-25 13:59)

Code: 140520
Plan: 405
ECTS: 6.00

Type: Compulsory
Year: 3
Duration: First semester

Language: ENGLISH

Area

Departament: Derecho Público General

Virtual platform: Campus Virtual de la Universidad de Salamanca

Professor Information

Professor: Polly Ruth Polak
Group/s: Único

Centre: Fac. Derecho

Office: 225

Office hours: -

Web address: https://produccioncientifica.usal.es/investigadores/157343/detalle

E-mail: pollypolak@usal.es
Phone: 923294400 Ext. 1673

2. Association of the subject matter within the study plan

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. Types of diplomacy.

II. State bodies for Foreign Relations: 1.Elements and principles governing states. 2. Head of State or Government. 3. The Foreign Minister. 4. The Foreign Ministry: history and functions.

III. Permanent channels of diplomacy. Diplomatic Missions: 1. Introduction: permanent and ad hoc diplomacy. 2. Recognition of states. 3. Legal instruments. 4. Embassies: history and functions. 5. Diplomatic immunity and its limits.

IV. Permanent channels of diplomacy. Consulates and Permanent Representations: 1. Consular Missions: history, immunities and functions. 2. Permanent Representations to International Organisations.

V. Ad hoc channels of diplomacy. 1. Special Missions. 2. Conferences and Summits.

VI. EU External Action and CFSP : 1. EU External Action. 2.The EU’s treaty-making powers. 3. CFSP timeline. 3. CFSP decision-making: actors and instruments.

VII. EU diplomacy : 1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 2. The European External Action Service. 3. EU Delegations. 4. The EU and other international organisations.

VIII. 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

Assessment criteria.

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).
Active participation in practical and theoretical classes and seminars (30 %).

Assessment recommendations.

Recomendaciones para la recuperación.

The requirements for the second exam are the same of those for the ordinary call.

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