Diplomacy Courses (GD) - Online Graduate

GD 510 Theory and the International System 6 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 541 The Practice of Diplomacy 6 Cr.

This seminar provides an understanding of the methods, institutions and practices that allow nations to translate foreign policy objectives and strategies into practical actions, and how practitioners adjust and refine foreign policy in response to the events that influence outcomes. The course is based on practitioner’s perspective to diplomacy. The emphasis is on foreign policy practices and structures of the United States of America, but the seminar ha broad applicability to the study of the diplomatic practice of other nations that operate in an analogous domestic political environment of a separation of powers, relative openness and freedom of expression.

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

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 Cr.

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 546 International Security 6 Cr.

This course surveys some of the major debates and topics in international security. It is designed to give students an understanding of the most important substantive areas in the field of International Security and to tie academic research on security‐related issues to policy. The course will examine both traditional understandings of and approaches to international security. New actors and issues considered relevant since the end of the Cold War will be discussed. The tension between the relative importance of traditional approaches to security, interstate relations, and the relevance or impact of less immediate but important influences such as human security and climate change will also be examined.

GD 547 Cyber Policy I 6 Cr.

This course addresses basic definitions and nomenclature in the area of cyber security assessment, risk analysis derived from actual cases, and issued of cyber privacy and piracy.

GD 548 Studies in Cyber Systems I 6 Cr.

The course navigates sections of classical mathematics and computer science used to construct mathematical models of information security. The course also addresses statistical methods for forensic accounting and assurance, internal controls and financial information systems, and auditing of modern complex accounting information systems.

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

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

The Comprehensive exam is a degree completion requirement for all Diplomacy students.

GD 558 Studies in Cyber Systems II 6 Cr.

The course navigates sections of classical mathematics and computer science used to construct mathematical models of information security. It discusses the need for mathematical models in different security paradigms along with the essential definitions, concepts and results for developing the models, their strengths and weaknesses, and, consequently, its application to practical problems. The course also addresses statistical methods for forensic accounting and assurance, internal controls and financial information systems, and auditing of modern complex accounting information systems.

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

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

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 Cr.

This seminar 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 Cr.

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 568 Cyber Diplomacy 6 Cr.

This course provides students the opportunity to synthesize learning from all previous seminars and to apply the concepts and principles relevant to the work or career goals of each student. Each student researches and prepares a written capstone project that offers a practical or theoretical solution to challenges or issues of contemporary international importance and relevance in cyber diplomacy. The final outcome of the seminar for each student is a paper suitable for publication in a professional or an academic journal. Students are required to exhibit in-depth critical thinking, analysis, and effective writing skills. Course assignments maximize the exchange of student suggestions and comments on the various stages of the capstone project, to include but not limited to topic section, thesis, resources and supporting information.

GD 570 Thesis Seminar 3 Cr.

In this research course students: identify their research topic, prepare a formal research proposal, identify literature and prepare bibliography, develop a methodological approach, prepare a thesis outline, and start working on chapter drafts. Students whose research projects that deal with human subjects have to familiarize themselves with ethical standards of conduct for scholarly research.

GD 571 Graduate Thesis Research II 3 Cr.

In this research course students: finalize their thesis outline, complete literature review, conduct necessary research, and start writing thesis chapters. Students work with their supervisors to develop a reasonable and coherent thesis draft.

GD 572 Graduate Thesis Research III 3 Cr.

Students are expected to read literature, do field research if applicable, prepare proposals, outline bibliographies, prepare drafts of theses chapters. This is a semester-long course, and it is estimated that students will spend approximately 140 hours in research and preparatory activities.

GD 573 Graduate Thesis Research IV 3 Cr.

Students are expected to finalize their research projects, and write and revise these chapters. This is a semester-long course, and it is estimated that students will spend approximately 140 hours in research and preparatory activities.

GD 575 Exit Portfolio 0 Cr.

The Exit Portfolio is a degree completion requirement for all Master of Arts in Diplomacy students.

GD 579 GR Research Project Exam 0 Cr.

Students’ research projects are examined, if applicable, through written and/or oral examination format. Students make necessary revisions to their final research product, and submit the final copy of their manuscript to the university.

GD 588 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.

GD 595 Residency 0 Cr.