This course requires the completion of 20,000 words of written work in the form of a literature review and research proposal (5000 words) and a 15,000 word research thesis, which completes the Master of Diplomacy (Advanced) award. Students research a topic of importance to diplomacy in consultation with their supervisor. The thesis is to be completed full time within one semester or part time over two semesters. The thesis will develop students' research, writing and argumentation skills on an issue of importance to them and to diplomacy as a practice and field of study. Students are invited to formulate a research question that guides their project and which is of central research interest to academics in the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy. Students should consider an intellectual question, problem or issue which can be presented in the expected academic format: for example with an Introduction that locates the question in a wider literature or debate, canvasses why it is important and outlines the argument and how it will be made methodologically and structurally. The Introduction is followed by chapters which comprise the body of the thesis and in which the theoretical and empirical evidence and counter-evidence for the argument is presented. And finally the thesis Conclusion, in which the research findings and contribution are presented and argued. Students are expected to be energetic self-starters, work independently and at the same time consult closely with their supervisor in regular meetings.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Develop high-level research and writing skills to undertake self-directed study in diplomacy;
- Undertake self-directed research on topics of importance to diplomatic studies and diplomatic practice;
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of research methods relevant to the thesis topic;
- Contribute findings that inform diplomacy as a practice and a developing theoretical field of study;
- Clearly express research findings and methodology in written and verbal presentations to academic and practitioner forums;
- Skills and knowledge that provide career options as a diplomatic practitioner and scholar, particularly in the area of research on diplomacy.
Indicative Assessment
- 5000 words of preparatory work is required in the form of a literature review (3000 words) and thesis proposal (2000 words) - Final assessment is based on the 15,000 word thesis examined by two academics or one academic and a senior diplomat.The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Pauline Kerr and Geoffrey Wiseman (eds) 2013. Diplomacy in a Globalizing World: Theories and Practices. Oxford University Press, New York.Costas Constantinou, Paul Sharp and Pauline Kerr (eds) (forthcoming 2016). The SAGE Handbook of Diplomacy, SAGE Publishers, London.
Paul Sharp (2009). Diplomatic Theory of International Relations, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Preliminary Reading
Pauline Kerr and Geoffrey Wiseman (eds) 2013. Diplomacy in a Globalizing World: Theories and Practices. Oxford University Press, New York.Brian Hocking, et al (2012). Futures for Diplomacy: Integrative Diplomacy in the 21st Century. Clingendael Institute for International Relations, The Hague.
Stuart Murray et al (2011). 'The Present and Future of Diplomatic Studies and Diplomacy', International Studies Review 13 (4): 709-728.
Berridge, G.R. M. Keens-Soper, and T. G. Otte (2001) Diplomatic Theory from Machiavelli to Kissinger (Basingstoke: Palgrave).
Bjola, Corneliu (2013). The ethics of secret diplomacy: a contextual approach. Journal of Global Ethics, 10 (1): 85-100.
Burke, P. (2000). A Social History of Knowledge, Polity Press, London.
Chalecki, E.L. (2008). ‘Knowledge in Sheep’s Clothing: How Science Informs American Diplomacy’, Diplomacy & Statecraft 19 (1): 1-19.
Constantinou, C.M. (2013). ‘Between Statecraft and Humanism: Diplomacy and Its Forms of Knowledge’, International Studies Review, 15(2), 141-162.
Graig, G.A. & A. L. George (2013). Force and Statecraft: Diplomatic Problems of Our Time, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Holme, P. & G. Ghoshal (2009). ‘The Diplomat’s Dilemma: Maximal Power for Minimal Effort in Social Networks’, Thilo Gross and Hiroki Sayama (eds) Understanding Complex Systems, Springer, Berlin: 269-288.
Holmes, M. (2013). The force of face-to-face diplomacy: mirror neurons and the problem of intentions. International organization, 67(04), 829-861.
Kaplan, K. (2011). ‘International Opportunities: The Science of Diplomacy`, Nature, 70: 425-427.
Sutcu, G. (2012). ‘Evolution of diplomacy and the future of epistemic communities: Scientists as the diplomats of the 21st century’, European Scientific Journal, 8 (26): 240-259.
Van Doren, Ch.(1992). A History of Knowledge: Past, Present and Future, Ballentine Books, New York.
Weisbrode, K. (2014). Old Diplomacy Revisited?: A Study in the Modern History of Diplomatic Transformations, Palgrave Pivot, Basingtoke.
Assumed Knowledge
The course assumes students will have a detailed knowledge about diplomacy as a practice and field of study from ancient to contemporary times. They will require skills that support academic research and writing at the graduate level, including an ability to be both self-directed and to take guidance and learn from supervision. And they will require practical diplomatic skills, such as negotiating bilaterally and multilaterally, and diplomatic communication generally. Recommended courses are those that comprise the coursework component of the Master of Diplomacy (Advanced).Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 12 to 24 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
| 13.00 | 0.27083 |
| 14.00 | 0.29167 |
| 15.00 | 0.31250 |
| 16.00 | 0.33333 |
| 17.00 | 0.35417 |
| 18.00 | 0.37500 |
| 19.00 | 0.39583 |
| 20.00 | 0.41667 |
| 21.00 | 0.43750 |
| 22.00 | 0.45833 |
| 23.00 | 0.47917 |
| 24.00 | 0.50000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $542 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $773 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4653 | 15 Feb 2016 | 26 Feb 2016 | 31 Mar 2016 | 27 May 2016 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9662 | 18 Jul 2016 | 29 Jul 2016 | 31 Aug 2016 | 28 Oct 2016 | In Person | N/A |
