• Class Number 3498
  • Term Code 2930
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Claude Rakisits
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Claude Rakisits
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 25/02/2019
  • Class End Date 31/05/2019
  • Census Date 31/03/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 04/03/2019
SELT Survey Results

This course offers detailed examination of examples of diplomacy, both routine and crisis, with a view to identifying lessons which practitioners might draw for the future. These case studies may include, but are not limited to:

  • the crafting of arrangements and institutions for the maintenance of order in the 19th and 20th centuries;
  • European crises of the late 1930s;
  • the Cuban Missile crisis;
  • ‘shuttle diplomacy’ in the Middle East;
  • multilateral trade negotiations;
  • the use of ‘Good Offices Diplomacy’
  • by the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan;
  • the management of political tensions in South Asia;
  • the crafting and implementation of transition programs for Cambodia and East Timor;
  • the efforts to generate a response to the Rwandan genocide in 1994; and
  • bargaining and negotiation in the UN Security Council prior to the outbreak of war in Iraq in March 2003.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

A great deal of the study of diplomacy has been historical in approach, and there is a rich tradition of examination of past episodes of diplomatic interaction so that lessons can be drawn on a wide range of issues. To make best use of this material, however, one needs to move beyond simple accounts of ‘who said what to whom’, and instead locate episodes in appropriate historical and theoretical contexts.’

This course is concerned to do just that. While it begins with discussion of some classic episodes in diplomatic endeavour—the Congress of Vienna, the Versailles conference, and the Munich agreement—the main emphasis is on exercises in diplomacy since the Second World War. Some of these are of interest because of the political significance of the exercises. Others are of interest because they raise questions about the adequacy of institutional frameworks for diplomatic action, or highlight profound moral challenges that diplomats may on occasion be required to confront.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 What is diplomacy? In this introductory class we'll be examining issues such as: What is meant by diplomacy? What kind of diplomacy? Who does "diplomacy"? What are the challenges for diplomacy today and what are the governments' responses to these challenges?
2 Origins of today’s world Order In this class we'll be examining how we got to today's world order, looking at the Peace of Westphalia, the Congress of Vienna, the Treaty of Versailles, and the various WWII meetings leading up to the establishment of today's liberal global order.
3 Diplomatic challenges in South Asia In this session we'll be examining the diplomatic challenges which not only Pakistan and India have been confronted with since 1947, but also how external players, such as the US, China and Russia, have dealt with these challenges.
4 Australia's diplomatic challenges post-WWII We'll examine what have been some of the major diplomatic challenges which Australia has been faced with in shaping its foreign policy since Federation in 1901. We'll also look ahead to Australia's future diplomatic challenges.
5 The Diplomacy of nuclear non-proliferation? Delivered by a guest speaker: a senior DFAT official Mr Jeff Robinson
6 Diplomacy in and around the United Nations Security Council In this class we'll look at the evolution of the UNSC and how diplomacy works in that all-important forum.
7 Trade diplomacy? Delivered by a guest speaker: a senior DFAT official Ms Elizabeth Ward
8 The diplomacy of voice Winning elections for UNSC and Human Rights Council memberships. Delivered by a guest speaker: APCD academic staff Ambassador Bill Fisher
9 Diplomacy: A practitioner’s perspective Delivered by a guest speaker: a senior PM&C official Ambassador Caroline MIllar
10 "Middle power and niche diplomacy: What is at stake and why does it matter?” Delivered by a guest speaker: ANU Chancellor, Professor Gareth Evans
11 Strategic Diplomacy: In this session we'll examine the role of China in the Indian Ocean and what does it mean diplomatically for the countries of the region.
12 So what? In this concluding session, we'll bring everything together and discuss what these various diplomatic challenges mean for the future.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Participation 10 % 25/02/2019 28/06/2019 1,2
Research Essay 40 % 29/04/2019 13/05/2019 1,2,3
Major research essay 50 % 10/06/2019 24/06/2019 1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 25/02/2019
Return of Assessment: 28/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2

Participation

Participation in, and contribution to, the class discussion will be worth 10% of the overall grade.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 40 %
Due Date: 29/04/2019
Return of Assessment: 13/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3

Research Essay

In this 2,000-word essay the student will be required to address the following question:

‘The post-World War II architecture of global governance created at the Bretton Woods, Dumbarton Oaks and San Francisco conferences is outdated and unable to solve the world’s most urgent problems. It needs to be replaced by a new architecture that reflects the political realities of the 21st Century.’ Do you agree? Discuss with reference to two specific contemporary international challenges. 

Assessment Task 3

Value: 50 %
Due Date: 10/06/2019
Return of Assessment: 24/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4

Major research essay

This will be a 3,000 word essay. The topic will need to be agreed between the course convener and the student by Friday 3 May 2019.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
Dr Claude Rakisits
61252925
claude.rakisits@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


South Asia and Indian Ocean regions, geo-strategy, diplomacy

Dr Claude Rakisits

Dr Claude Rakisits
61252925
claude.rakisits@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Claude Rakisits

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions