Diplomacy, Statecraft and Foreign Policy MSc

What you'll study

You will learn from the most influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators, exposing you to the latest theories and developments from across your discipline.

Modules

Our MSc in Diplomacy, Statecraft and Foreign Policy covers a wide range of topics; to give you a taster we have expanded on some of the modules affiliated with this programme and the specific assessment methods associated with each module.

• Compulsory
• Optional

To qualify for the award of the MSc degree in Diplomacy, Statecraft and Foreign Policy you must complete five compulsory modules, choose any two optional modules and choose one module from the second subject modules list, totalling 120 credits. Students must also complete a Dissertation worth 60 credits.

Concepts and Controversies in Diplomacy and International Governance

Concepts and Controversies in Diplomacy and International Governance

This insightful module will look at the latest controversies and debates affecting diplomacy and international governance, alongside the evolution of the international system. You will develop an understanding of how the Vienna convention influences diplomatic relations, whilst considering the role of institutions and actors in contemporary international governance. Diplomatic negotiation and international bargaining is also a key aspect of this module, as well as the study of international diplomacy and governance in the 21st Century.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the concepts and theories of diplomacy as the exercise of political influence that includes strategies, tactics and techniques
• Critically evaluate the concepts, theories and controversies of contemporary international governance
• Analyse the processes of diplomatic policy-making including alternative models of how policy evolves
• Critically evaluate the importance of assessment, advocacy, bargaining and persuasion as dynamic features of the study of diplomacy
• Critically assess the concepts and ethics of diplomacy in a professional environment
• Identify appropriate sources pertaining to the study of diplomacy and international governance
• Formulate research questions and research strategies for studying diplomacy and international governance
• Demonstrate oral communication skills appropriate for professional use
• Demonstrate research management and self-learning skills, as well as enhanced communication and ICT skills
• Manage research, resource materials, data and referencing, and research findings relating to the study of diplomacy

Assessment

• 100% coursework

Diplomatic Communication

Diplomatic Communication

This module is designed to introduce you to the theoretical approaches to the study of language and to develop your competence in effective diplomatic discourse and communication.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate verbal and written diplomatic texts, norms and conventions
• Analyse diplomatic discourses and diplomatic speech/speech-writing
• Critically demonstrate awareness of language choices in diplomatic exchanges and dialogue
• Critically assess diplomatic texts, argumentation and persuasion
• Identify appropriate sources of diplomatic language, speech and speech-writing and information handling
• Formulate research questions and research strategies for studying diplomatic discourse
• Demonstrate excellent oral communication skills
• Apply scholarship to communicate research findings to practitioner audience
• Demonstrate research management and self-learning skills, as well as enhanced communication and IT Skills
• Manage research, resource materials, data and referencing, and research findings relating to the study of diplomatic discourse and communication

Assessment

• 100% coursework

Dissertation

Dissertation

The Dissertation module will equip you with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to embark on your own research project.

You will have the choice of three dissertation pathways:

1. A desk based research project that could be set by an organisation or could be a subject of the student's choice
2. A project that involves collection of primary data from within an organisation or based on lab and/or field experiments
3. An Internship within an organisation during which time students will complete a project as part of their role in agreement with the organisation (subject to a suitable placement position being obtained)

By undertaking a dissertation at master's level, you will achieve a high level of understanding in your chosen subject area and will produce a written thesis or project report which will discuss your research in more detail.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The importance of project planning;
• The importance of a clear hypothesis or research question;
• The ethical implications of research;
• The relevant empirical data and methodologies for data collection or knowledge assimilation for the subject area;
• Methods of data analysis and their suitability for the intended data;
• The areas of expertise or publications of the major individuals or organisations in the subject or business area;
• The previous research or current knowledge in the specific subject or business area;
• Theoretical perspectives relevant to your chosen topic;
• The most effective methods of presentation for data or knowledge;
• Developing a clear, coherent and original research question, hypothesis or business problem in a suitable subject area;
• Synthesising relevant sources (e.g. research literature, primary data) to construct a coherent argument in response to your research question, hypothesis or business problem;
• Analysing primary or secondary data collected by an appropriate method;
• Critically evaluating data collected in context with previously published knowledge or information;
• Engaging in critical debate and argumentation in written work;
• Applying principles of good scholarly practice to your written work;
• Performing appropriate literature searching/business information searching using library databases or other reputable sources;
• Planning a research project and producing a realistic gantt chart demonstrating your intended timelines;
• Synthesising information from appropriate sources;
• Demonstrating rational use of research method tools;
• Selecting and using appropriate investigative and research skills;
• Demonstrating effective project planning skills;
• Finding and evaluating scholarly sources;
• Engaging in critical reasoning, debate and argumentation;
• Demonstrating effective report writing skills;
• Recognising and using resources effectively;
• Successfully managing a project from idea to completion;
• Demonstrating commercial awareness or the impact of knowledge transfer in a business or research environment

Assesement

100% Coursework consisting of:

• 20% Literature review
• 20% Research proposal
• 60% Dissertation report/essay

Foreign Policy Analysis

Foreign Policy Analysis

Introduction: What is foreign policy analysis? Explaining foreign policy: the system level. Explaining foreign policy: the nation-state level. Explaining foreign policy: the level of the individual decision-maker. Interests, norms and ethics: the critical evaluation of foreign policy. Case 1. US foreign policy. Case 2. UK foreign policy. Case 3. Russia foreign policy. Case 4. China foreign policy. The Future of Foreign Policy Analysis I: Resilience and International Crisis Management. The Future of Foreign Policy Analysis II: Interplay of International Institutions and Global Arena.

The aim of this module is to the aim of this module is for you to understand the conceptual tools of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA), acquire specific knowledge relevant to an understanding of the foreign policies of key state actors in the global arena, and develop awareness of the issues and policy contexts that shape these policies.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Situate the analysis of foreign policy within the field of International Relations
• Identify and deploy the key concepts and terminology of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA)
• Identify and evaluate key issues shaping the formulation and implementation of foreign policy
• Apply this knowledge to specific cases of foreign policy decision-making and compare these cases in a systematic manner
• Locate FPA information and evidence from primary and secondary sources
• Identify the main approaches to the study of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) and Comparative Foreign Policy (CFP)
• Critically assess foreign policy practice
• Employ critical judgement in relation to case studies of US and UK foreign policy
• Locate and use appropriate evidence base in a critical essay
• Reflect on their own learning and use constructive feedback from the module tutor, and peers

Assessment

100% Coursework consisting of:

• 40% Essay 1
• 60% Essay 2

The Art of Governance: Diplomacy, Negotiation and Lobbying

The Art of Governance: Diplomacy, Negotiation and Lobbying

The aim of the module is to familiarise students with the theory, frameworks and practice of governance in every aspect.

The module will provide you with a thorough overview of all of the different ways, including questions of professional practice, in which governance is undertaken, negotiated and influenced.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the academic concepts and theories of diplomacy, negotiation and lobbying as the exercise of political influence that includes strategies, tactics and techniques
• Analyse and assess the processes of policy-making including alternative models of how policy evolves
• Critically evaluate the importance of diplomacy, assessment, advocacy, bargaining, negotiation and persuasion as dynamic features of the art of governance
• Evaluate the best means to approach different real-life, professional situations using the frameworks of diplomacy, negotiation and lobbying
• Evaluate the appropriateness of differing problem-solving skills for differing governance problems
• Critically assess which concepts and skills from diplomacy, negotiation and/or lobbying are most relevant for specific professional contexts and problem-solving
• Identify appropriate information sources pertaining to the study of diplomacy, negotiation and lobbying
• Formulate research questions and research strategies for informing diplomatic practice
• Demonstrate excellent IT and presentation skills
• Demonstrate understanding of the linkages between academic scholarship and practitioner experience in this field
• Demonstrate research management and self-learning skills
• Demonstrate enhanced communication and negotiation skills
• Manage research, resource materials, data and referencing, and research findings relating to all aspects of governance

Assessment

• Coursework (100%)

The Collaborative Project

The Collaborative Project

With a multi-talented group of students, you will work on a brief from a real company looking to solve a real social or business problem.

Together with your student team, you will research and build solutions to a business problem, supported by our project tutors, clients and staff. Previous clients include Foster + Partners, Speedo, The London Legacy Development Corporation as well as many other companies, start-ups and charities.

The Collaborative Project provides a means for you to engage in critical enquiry and to be exposed to project-based teamwork in multicultural and interdisciplinary settings. By undertaking this module, you will strengthen your cooperative and collaborative working skills and competencies, whilst raising your awareness and appreciation of cultural and disciplinary diversity and differences.

The Collaborative Project aims to provide you with a hands-on experience of identifying, framing and resolving practice-oriented and real-world based challenges and problems, using creativity and appropriate tools to achieve valuable and relevant solutions. Alongside the collaborative elements of the module, you will be provided with opportunities to network with stakeholders, organisations and corporations, which will give you the experience and skills needed to connect to relevant parties and potentially develop future employment opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Work effectively in diverse and interdisciplinary teams;
• Undertake and contribute towards a project-based development process;
• Apply critical enquiry, reflection, and creative methods to identify, frame, and resolve issues and problems at hand;
• Identify user and stakeholder needs and value creation opportunities, whilst collecting and applying evidence-based information and knowledge to develop appropriate insights, practices and solutions;
• Identify, structure, reflect on key issues and propose solutions to problems in creative ways;
• Enhance your appreciation for diversity and divergent individual and disciplinary perspectives;
• Be able to provide structured, reflective and critical feedback to peers and other stakeholders;
• Plan and execute a project plan including scope, resources and timing;
• Effectively communicate ideas, methods and results to a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Use multiple, state-of-the-art date media and technologies to communicate with collaborators;
• Make informed, critical and reflective decisions in time-limited situations.

Assessment

100% Coursework consisting of:

• 20% Group project proposal
• 20% Individual reflection
• 30% Final project report
• 30% Project deliverables to the client

As part of your programme, you will have the opportunity to choose one module from another programme within your Institute, or from another Institute at Loughborough University London. For a list of possible second subject modules for your programme, please see the Optional Modules tab or email for more information.

Economic Global Governance

Economic Global Governance

The aim of this module to assess the validity of economic factors in international affairs and to understand the development and dynamics of the global economy and global governance.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the role of economic factors in international affairs;
• Analyse the development and dynamics of the global economy and global governance;
• Critically demonstrate awareness of the workings of global governance today;
• Critically assess concepts and practice of global governance ;
• Identify appropriate sources pertaining to the study of the global economy and global governance; - formulate research questions and research strategies for studying global governance;
• Demonstrate excellent oral communication skills;
• Apply scholarship to communicate research findings to practitioner audience;
• Demonstrate research management and self-learning skills;
• Communication and ICT Skills;
• Manage research, resource materials, data and referencing, and research findings relating to the study of global economic governance.

Assessment

• 40% Critical Report
• 60% Presentation

Guided Diplomacy: The Hidden Hand of Secret Intelligence and Espionage

Guided Diplomacy: The Hidden Hand of Secret Intelligence and Espionage

This module will introduce you to the opaque world of secret intelligence and the methods exploited by governments throughout the world to better inform both long and short term decision-making across a variety of competing agencies and departments. You will develop a practical understanding of how intelligence is gathered both overtly and covertly (espionage), as well as analysed, protected (counter intelligence), shared (global intelligence communities) and disseminated by policy makers. The module will also explore the limitations of intelligence and critically appraise accusations of failure by investigating several high profile cases.

Learning Outcomes