International Diplomacy – Undergraduate Course Syllabus

Course Description

The course shows how diplomacy has changed from its earliest forms in ancient times to the time of international diplomacy in which we live today. It examines theoretical justifications for the actions, relationships and changes with which diplomats operate. It discusses normative strategies on how diplomacy should adapt to the 21st century, contribute to the peaceful development of the international order, and contribute to the reshaping of international relations.

Applying the Aristotelian method of teaching, I will focus on developing both the intellectual and moral virtues of students. Intellectual virtues are character traits such as the ability to judge the truth and comprehend the nature of things, whereas moral virtues are habits of living that involve the whole person and include justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude, which are characterised by desire and emotion.

In addition, the course is designed with the following implications in mind: to understand the diverse backgrounds of undergraduate students, to provide full support to non-native speakers in relation to academic English, and to engage the students in practical discussions and seminars. An inclusive curriculum implements policies and resources to ensure that all students are supported in their learning.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  • Analyse and apply different theoretical approaches to diplomacy.
  • Critically examine the reasons for cooperation and peacebuilding.
  • Engage in contemporary theoretical discussions on diplomacy.
  • Construct and defend theoretically challenging arguments on modern diplomacy.
  • Learn to think and write critically about crucial diplomatic concepts.
  • Effective communication in professional applications of the diplomatic service.
  • Developing innovative ways of thinking about the practical implications of diplomatic service (negotiation, soft power, intelligence, observation of events, digital diplomacy).

Reading Materials

Foundation texts

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  2. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.

Supportive texts

  • Gaetan, V. (2021) God’s diplomats: Pope Francis, Vatican diplomacy, and America’s Armageddon. Lanham Boulder New York London: Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Griffin, N. (2015) Ping-pong diplomacy: the secret history behind the game that changed the world. First Skyhorse Publishing paperback edition. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.
  • Indyk, M. (2021) Master of the game: Henry Kissinger and the art of Middle East diplomacy. First edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
  • Ivanov, I.S. (2002) The new Russian diplomacy. Washington, D.C.: Nixon Center: Brookings Institution Press.
  • Kissinger, H. (2015) World order: reflections on the character of nations and the course of history. London: Penguin Books (Penguin politics).
  • Masser, A., Yorke, C. and Spence, J.E. (eds) (2021) Contemporary diplomacy in action: new perspectives on diplomacy. First edition. London [England]: I.B. Tauris.
  • Satow, E.M. (2018) Satow’s diplomatic practice. Seventh edition, first published in paperback, centenary edition. Edited by I. Roberts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Spence, J., Yorke, C. and Masser, A. (eds) (2021) A new theory and practice of diplomacy: new perspectives on diplomacy. London New York Oxford New Delhi Sydney: I.B. Tauris.

Course Content

Lecture 1: Diplomacy before WWI

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Historical evolution
  • Why and how to study diplomacy
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • Brazil

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

  • Mallett, M. (2001) ‘Italian renaissance diplomacy’, Diplomacy & Statecraft, 12(1), pp. 61–70. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592290108406188.
  • Urrestarazu, U.S. (2015) ‘“Vienna Calling”: Diplomacy and the Ordering of Intercommunal Relations at the Congress of Vienna’, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 10(3), pp. 231–260. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191X-12341316.
  • Zonova, T. (2007) ‘Diplomatic Cultures: Comparing Russia and the West in Terms of a “Modern Model of Diplomacy”’, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 2(1), pp. 1–23. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/187119007X180458.

Lecture 2: New Diplomacy

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Woodrow Wilson and the new diplomacy after World War I
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • China

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

Lecture 3: New Actors and Issues

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Multiplicities of global diplomacy
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • France

Essential Required Reading

  • Keukeleire, S. (2003) ‘The European union as a diplomatic actor: internal, traditional, and structural diplomacy’, Diplomacy & Statecraft, 14(3), pp. 31–56. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592290312331295556.
  • Langhorne, R. (2005) ‘The Diplomacy of Non-State Actors’, Diplomacy & Statecraft, 16(2), pp. 331–339. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592290590948388.
  • Sundararaman, S. (2008) ‘Research Institutes as Diplomatic Actors’, in A.F. Cooper, B. Hocking, and W. Maley (eds) Global Governance and Diplomacy. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 118–132. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230227422_8.

Recommended Reading

  • Constantinou, C.M., Cornago, N. and McConnell, F. (2016) ‘Transprofessional Diplomacy’, Brill Research Perspectives in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, 1(4), pp. 1–66. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/24056006-12340005.
  • Kihlgren Grandi, L. (2020) ‘The Historical, Legal, and Geographic Evolution of City Diplomacy’, in Kihlgren Grandi, L., City Diplomacy. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 37–51. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60717-3_2.
  • Sending, O.J., Pouliot, V. and Neumann, I.B. (2011) ‘The Future of Diplomacy: Changing Practices, Evolving Relationships’, International Journal: Canada’s Journal of Global Policy Analysis, 66(3), pp. 527–542. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/002070201106600301.

Lecture 4: Global Contexts and Tasks

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Contexts of global diplomacy
  • Tasks of global diplomacy
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • Germany

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

  • Brown, J. (1988) ‘Diplomatic Immunity: State Practice Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations’, International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 37(1), pp. 53–88. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/37.1.53.
  • Grzybowski, K. (1981) ‘The Regime of Diplomacy and the Tehran Hostages’, International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 30(1), pp. 42–58. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/30.1.42.
  • Höglund, K. and Svensson, I. (2009) ‘Mediating between tigers and lions: Norwegian peace diplomacy in Sri Lanka’s civil war’, Contemporary South Asia, 17(2), pp. 175–191. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09584930902870792.

Lecture 5: Decisions

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • The making of decisions
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • India

Essential Required Reading

  • Cornut, J. (2018) ‘Diplomacy, agency, and the logic of improvisation and virtuosity in practice’, European Journal of International Relations, 24(3), pp. 712–736. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066117725156.
  • Duncombe, C. (2016) ‘Emotional diplomacy: official emotion on the international stage’, International Affairs, 92(1), pp. 198–199. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12518.
  • Putnam, R.D. (1988) ‘Diplomacy and domestic politics: the logic of two-level games’, International Organization, 42(3), pp. 427–460. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027697.

Recommended Reading

  • Adler-Nissen, R. and Eggeling, K.A. (2022) ‘Blended Diplomacy: The Entanglement and Contestation of Digital Technologies in Everyday Diplomatic Practice’, European Journal of International Relations, 28(3), pp. 640–666. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/13540661221107837.
  • Brown, R. (2021) ‘A Historical Sociology of the New Cultural Diplomacy’, International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 34(4), pp. 403–418. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10767-020-09386-0.
  • Standfield, C. (2020) ‘Gendering the practice turn in diplomacy’, European Journal of International Relations, 26(1_suppl), pp. 140–165. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066120940351.

Lecture 6: Relations

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • The making of relations
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • Japan

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

  • Barrinha, A. and Renard, T. (2020) ‘Power and diplomacy in the post-liberal cyberspace’, International Affairs, 96(3), pp. 749–766. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz274.
  • Minger, R.E. (1961) ‘Taft’s Missions to Japan: A Study in Personal Diplomacy’, Pacific Historical Review, 30(3), pp. 279–294. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/3636924.
  • Ostrander, I. and Rider, T.J. (2019) ‘Presidents Abroad: The Politics of Personal Diplomacy’, Political Research Quarterly, 72(4), pp. 835–848. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912918809212.

Lecture 7: Diplomatic Construction of the World

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • The making of the world
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • Russia

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

Lecture 8: Supranational and Subnational Challenges

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Re-making the diplomat
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • Turkey

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

Lecture 9: Peacebuilding & Intervention

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Re-making domestic institutions
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • United Kingdom

Essential Required Reading

  • Bicchi, F. and Bremberg, N. (2016) ‘European diplomatic practices: contemporary challenges and innovative approaches’, European Security, 25(4), pp. 391–406. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2016.1237941.
  • Regan, P.M. and Aydin, A. (2006) ‘Diplomacy and Other Forms of Intervention in Civil Wars’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 50(5), pp. 736–756. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002706291579.
  • Yoshimatsu, H. (2010) ‘Domestic Political Institutions, Diplomatic Style and Trade Agreements: A Comparative Study of China and Japan’, New Political Economy, 15(3), pp. 395–419. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13563461003602238.

Recommended Reading

  • Ashizawa, K. (2014) ‘Japan’s Approach to Peacebuilding in Afghanistan: Money, Diplomacy and the Challenges of Effective Assistance’, Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, 9(3), pp. 1–16. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/15423166.2014.984555.
  • Babbitt, E.F. (2009) ‘The Evolution of International Conflict Resolution: From Cold War to Peacebuilding’, Negotiation Journal, 25(4), pp. 539–549. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1571-9979.2009.00244.x.
  • Beardsley, K. (2013) ‘The UN at the peacemaking–peacebuilding nexus’, Conflict Management and Peace Science, 30(4), pp. 369–386. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0738894213491354.

Lecture 10: International Peace and Justice

Core Required Reading

  1. Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • The peaceful re-making of the world
  1. Hutchings, R. and Suri, J. (eds) (2020) Modern Diplomacy in Practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26933-3.
  • United States

Essential Required Reading

  • Akhavan, P. (2001) ‘Beyond Impunity: Can International Criminal Justice Prevent Future Atrocities?’, American Journal of International Law, 95(1), pp. 7–31. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/2642034.
  • Banks, D.E. (2019) ‘The Diplomatic Presentation of the State in International Crises: Diplomatic Collaboration during the US-Iran Hostage Crisis’, International Studies Quarterly, p. sqz055. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqz055.
  • Rashid, S. (2013) ‘Preventive diplomacy, mediation and the responsibility to protect in Libya: a missed opportunity for Canada?’, Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, 19(1), pp. 39–52. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/11926422.2013.773542.

Recommended Reading

  • Chaban, N., Miskimmon, A. and O’Loughlin, B. (2019) ‘Understanding EU crisis diplomacy in the European neighbourhood: strategic narratives and perceptions of the EU in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine’, European Security, 28(3), pp. 235–250. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2019.1648251.
  • Navarro, N.T. (2018) ‘Collective Reparations and the Limitations of International Criminal Justice to Respond to Mass Atrocity’, International Criminal Law Review, 18(1), pp. 67–96. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718123-01801006.
  • Paris, R. (2014) ‘The “Responsibility to Protect” and the Structural Problems of Preventive Humanitarian Intervention’, International Peacekeeping, 21(5), pp. 569–603. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13533312.2014.963322.

Lecture 11: Diplomacy After 2022 (War in Ukraine)

Core Required Reading

Bjola, C. and Kornprobst, M. (2018) Understanding international diplomacy: theory, practice and ethics. Second Edition. London; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

  • Quo Vadis diplomacy?

Essential Required Reading

Recommended Reading

  • Hedling, E. and Bremberg, N. (2021) ‘Practice Approaches to the Digital Transformations of Diplomacy: Toward a New Research Agenda’, International Studies Review, 23(4), pp. 1595–1618. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viab027.
  • Morozov, V.M. (2023) ‘Network Diplomacy and the Future of the Israel–Palestine Conflict’, in Morozov, V. M., Network Diplomacy. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 139–148. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7006-1_9.
  • Sullivan, J. and Wang, W. (2022) ‘China’s “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy”: The Interaction of Formal Diplomacy and Cyber-Nationalism’, Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, p. 186810262210798. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/18681026221079841.

Required Students’ Skills

Read the course materials carefully and focus on the core and essential required readings that will greatly increase your level of knowledge.

Learn how to use search engines for academic articles, primarily Web of Science, JSTOR, SAGE Journals, and Google Scholar.

To pass an essay assignment with flying colours, you must master the Harvard citation style. Also, it is highly recommended to read the following publication about research methods and design to improve your essay score:

  • Lamont, C. and Boduszynski, M. (2020) Research methods in politics and international relations. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.

Throughout the course, students are also expected to familiarize themselves with leading academic journals to locate the latest articles, thereby connecting with the international relations academic community.

Scroll to Top