Class Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

The curricular unit Diplomacy and Foreign Policy aims to provide students with an integrated approach to the field of international relations, considering the multiple dimensions and forms of expression of diplomacy as an action and instrument of foreign policy. On the one hand, recognising the diversity of actors, objectives, resources and strategies applied to diplomatic practice (bilateral and multilateral) and to the definition of foreign policy. On the other hand, by exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of diplomacy and foreign policy affairs in the shaping of the international political system and its articulation with cotemporary global challenges.

Not applicable

I. Diplomacy and foreign policy 1.1 Definitions, historical context and relevance 1.2 Main theories of diplomacy and foreign policy 1.3 International relations, foreign policy and diplomacy - The intersection of domestic and foreign affairs II. Models and structure 2.1. Organisation of diplomatic practice - representation, negotiation, communication and mediation 2.2 Formulation and implementation of foreign policy - actors, resources, instruments and policy-making 2.3 From bilateralism to multilateralism - the role of international organisations   III. Diplomacy and foreign policy in practice 3.1 Diplomatic practice and foreign policy analysis 3.2 The role of diplomacy in defining foreign policy - case studies and examples 3.3 Contemporary global challenges for diplomacy and foreign policy (human rights and warfears, climate change, AI, social media)

In addition to the sessions dedicated to providing students with the key concepts and theoretical framework specific to this course Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, this course adopts also a mixed pedagogical approach - TBL (team based learning) and PBL (project based learning). Through the formation of working groups, students are encouraged to develop group projects and/or activities, in which they are guided by the lecturer to (1) define objectives, strategies and deadlines, (2) practise negotiation, debate and reflect on the problems proposed, (3) critically evaluate and present the results clearly. With a focus on group presentations, critical discussion of texts and written work, students are placed at the centre of the learning process.

Alden, Ch., e Aran, A. (2017). Foreign Policy Analysis: New approaches. (2ª Ed.). Routledge. Balão, S.R., de Almeida e Silva, T. (2022). Diplomacy in the Context of Political Science, International Relations and Strategic Studies. In S. P. Sebastião, S. C. Spínola (Eds.), Diplomacy, Organisations and Citizens (pp. 15-37). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81877-7_2 Balzacq, Th., Charillon, F., e Ramel, F. (Eds.). (2019). Global Diplomacy: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28786-3 Barston, R. P. (2019). Modern Diplomacy. Routledge. Smith, S., Hadfield, A., e Dunne, T. (Eds.). (2024). Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, Cases. Oxford University Press.