Graduate Diplomacy (GD)

GD 510. Theory and the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will review the basic theories that govern the international relations discipline. As no one theory fully explains the international system, a firm grasp of the leading paradigms gives a student a solid foundation on which to build the degree. This seminar will also trace the historical evolution of diplomacy within the international system giving the student a sense of its progression and an awareness of the milestones of diplomatic interaction within that system.

GD 511. The History of Diplomacy in the International System. 6 Credits.

This seminar is a comprehensive overview of diplomacy, international relations, and world order in the context of the modern state system, from 1648 to the present. The seminar provides an introduction to the international political environment through studies in foreign policy decision-making. The seminar combines the fields of history and political science by using an analytical framework of historiography and International Relations methodology.

GD 520. Law and the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will explore some of the important principles, norms, customs, laws, and transactions in international relations. Student will be introduced to international law terminology, history, and dominant theories. The laws surrounding conflict, war and war crimes will be explored. Of special interest will be the laws and norms pertaining to international organizations. Finally, the more up and coming areas of international law will be explored, such as, environmental law and the growing body of law concerning humanitarian intervention.

GD 530. Economics and the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will explore the international economic system. The impact of modernization and economic development within the system will be examined. The controversy over the concept of globalization will be explored. The seminar will address the dominant theories of international political economy. Students will become familiar with institutions of international finance and trade. Special attention will be given to Third World development issues. Also, the idea of economics as a tool of diplomacy and military power will be raised.

GD 540. Conflict Avoidance, Prevention & Containment in the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will address a number of schools of thought and debates concerning the causes of inter and intra-state conflicts. The increasingly controversial topics of peacekeeping, peace-making and peace enforcement will be reviewed with an eye toward lessons learned. Transnational forces, including non-governmental organizations will be investigated. Finally, the important concept of multilateral diplomacy as a tool used to avoid conflict in the international system will be examined.

GD 542. Terrorism: Introduction and State Sponsored Terrorism. 6 Credits.

This seminar examines how states have used terrorism as a tool in managing their international rivalries. The seminar also evaluates the actions that the international community takes to deter state-sponsored terrorism. Case studies will be used to complement theory, and to allow for comparative analysis of actions taken by the international community in different cases and circumstances.

GD 544. Global Commerce and the International System. 6 Credits.

This seminar evaluates the role of private-sector commerce in the international system. It focuses on examining internal and external environmental conditions when conducting commerce in a global environment; in particular, students will explore the impact of economics, law, politics, and culture on multinational business endeavors. Country specific data and internal organizational factors that influence managerial decision-making in multinational organizations are addressed as well.

GD 550. Conflict Resolution & Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will examine the “dos” and “don'ts” of negotiating peace, hazards of negotiations and peace settlements, their unexpected consequences, and lessons learned. Of increasing importance is learning how to recover from atrocities through trials, truth commissions, and amnesties. Post-conflict political, economic, and social recoveries are also explored. The seminar also addresses such issues as reestablishing the rule of law, reconstruction of civil society, and of the institutions of governance. Finally, students will examine the politics and cultural impacts of rebuilding, including the economic and financial costs.

GD 552. International Terrorism by Non-State Actors. 6 Credits.

This seminar examines the phenomenon of transnational terrorism by non-state actors, that is, by terrorist organizations. Ideology, psychology, and strategies of major transnational groups are addressed to provide an understanding of their long-term goals and operations. Terrorist groups' relationships with WMD proliferation and organized crime are examined, together with possible future trends in terrorist operations. Case studies of key groups will be used to provide comparative analysis.

GD 554. Cross Cultural Management in the International System. 6 Credits.

Students will review fundamental topics in human resources management as these pertain to globally active organizations: corporate, not-profit, and governmental. The seminar focuses on building personal skills in dealing with intercultural Human Resources, management differences; selecting, evaluating, and compensating employees in international assignments; training and developing expatriate employees; dealing with culture shock; and examining the effects of repatriation. Students will be asked to apply the concepts of conflict managements, conflict resolution, and conflict avoidance to specific "at-work" situations.

GD 555. Comprehensive Exam. 0 Credits.

GD 560. Military Intervention & Conflict Management in the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will examine conflict in all its forms. Such aspects as covert operations, psychological warfare, special operations, and limited warfare will be introduced. The increased emphasis on multinational coalitions and conflicts will be explored. A renewed emphasis will be given to terrorism, including the use of chemical, biological and nuclear agents. Special cases of civil war and collapsed state conflicts will be reviewed. Finally, the impact of modern warfare, most notably on the environment will be investigated.

GD 561. Human Rights and Conflict in the International System. 6 Credits.

In this seminar students will probe the complicated connections between the protection and enforcement of human rights norms and the roots, unfolding, and termination of armed conflicts. Borrowing from the fields of peace-building, conflict resolution, diplomacy, and law, the seminar builds upon the themes of conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction developed in previous seminars by focusing on how human rights abuses make conflicts, especially violent conflicts more likely, and how a respect for the political, civil, economic, and social claims of individuals might repair and restore post-conflict societies.

GD 562. International Response to Transnational Terrorism. 6 Credits.

This seminar surveys the strategies and policies used by states to combat transnational terrorism. It includes the development of international law as a tool against terrorism. It focuses on diplomatic and multilateral approaches to deal with cross-border issues, and government policies designed to improve internal and multinational anti-terrorism coordination and cooperation. Differences and commonalities among states in their approaches to terrorism are highlighted in an effort to examine best practices.

GD 564. Global Corporate Diplomacy. 6 Credits.

The final seminar in the Commerce concentration addresses the issue of how international commerce depends upon the public goodwill, the development of which is the function of corporate diplomacy. The seminar will enable students to develop knowledge, competencies, and tools for implementing strategic communication in order to deal effectively with international constituencies, including the government, the news media and the Internet, and NGOs. Special emphasis will be laid on developing analytical skills to shape public opinion, build corporate reputation, and deal with crisis in a cross-cultural environment.

GD 567. Diplomacy and Communication. 6 Credits.

This seminar examines the role of communication in diplomatic endeavors. The historical influence of communication is considered along with the evolving theoretical basis that has informed diplomatic communication. In addition to examining the role communication has played throughout the history of diplomacy, key challenges related diplomatic communication will be considered. These include cultural challenges, the evolving nature of communication technology, the movement towards transparency, and the development of public diplomacy.

GD 570. Thesis Seminar. 12 Credits.

Students allowed to pursue a thesis track will explore the purposes, problems, and strategies of empirical and theoretical research. Students will work individually with their supervisors (thesis advisors) and identify a proper methodological approach, and a research design for their thesis project. Within this option, students may be assigned readings to improve their understanding and knowledge of elements of quantitative or qualitative research, designing and conducting empirical or qualitative research projects, as well as discussions of conceptualization and operationalization, rules and problems of measurement, logics of research design or a range of observational and data-gathering techniques. Supervisors will guide the thesis students through all stages of research – from developing a research design to writing up the final product. The thesis track concludes with both written and oral examinations conducted by individually selected theses committees.

GD 595. Residency. 0 Credits.