When war or crisis comes, how can we respond? This course equips students of diplomacy and peace and conflict studies with the understanding and practical negotiation skills needed to address unfolding and protracted conflicts and tensions. To this end, the course explores the causes of conflict (and peace) and the various mechanisms employed by the international community in response. It also provides students with an opportunity to study the theory and practice of the essential diplomatic art of negotiation. In the words of leading negotiation scholar, William Zartman, “Diplomacy is mostly negotiation, and negotiation is the business of foreign policy and international relations.”

This course introduces and examines international frameworks for negotiation and conflict resolution. It surveys the causes, character and future of conflict and explores the approaches and skills needed for interstate and intrastate conflict prevention and resolution. Broad and topical concepts of diplomacy such as 'preventive diplomacy', 'coercive diplomacy' and 'peacebuilding diplomacy' are used to inform our understanding of different phases and types of conflict management.

As part of this course students undertake an intensive negotiation workshop. This flagship element provides students with first-hand exposure to the challenges of managing conflict through diplomatic negotiation. You will acquire and refine new negotiation and mediation skills through a variety of learning methods, including demonstration, practice and simulation. The negotiation workshop aims to develop the ability of students to think politically and strategically, to examine key elements in the planning and conduct of negotiation and mediation, to identify essential qualities and skills for effective negotiation and mediation, and to consolidate this knowledge through simulating real-world diplomatic negotiations.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Analyse and evaluate the nature, causes and future of contemporary conflicts and crises, including in the Asia-Pacific region.
2. Recognise, apply and respond to different strategies of diplomatic negotiation.
3. Explain and examine multilateral treaties such as the United Nations Charter for negotiation and conflict resolution and their application to conflicts.
4. Understand the contextual reality of what peace and conflict can mean from various perspectives, and the role of political, cultural, legal and historical inheritances to the development of those perspectives.
5. Design strategies for evaluating and responding to different forms of interstate and intrastate conflict. 

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Psychology of making peace
3	Negotiation skills I: Positional bargaining
4	Negotiation skills II: Interest-based bargaining	Take home exam
5	Negotiation skills III: Mediation
6	Peace negotiation simulation
7	Nuclear negotiations: Iran case study
8	Navigating emotions and mis/disinformation	Reflective research essay
9	Reading week to prepare for the simulation
10	Mis/disinformation simulation: Kashmir case study	Simulation research materials
11	Transforming relationships and transitional justice
12	Paangshu film screening: Sri Lanka case study

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Course participation	10 %	*	09/12/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Take home exam	35 %	19/08/2026	31/08/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Reflective research essay	30 %	28/09/2026	19/10/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Simulation research materials	25 %	12/10/2026	09/11/2026	1,4,5

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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

Course participation

Students are expected to actively participate in the seminar and online Canvas forum threads (up to 150 words) each week. New questions will be posed in the forum each seminar week to inform responses. Engagement with other students' posts is strongly encouraged. This assessment is designed to create a platform for robust discussions, and to refine student's personal interests, skills and expertise in negotiation and conflict resolution. The course convenor will provide formative feedback on the participation on a regular basis during semester.

If a student cannot attend a seminar, they can make up for the missed participation component that week by writing a longer post (up to 250 words) in the Canvas forum.

Assessment Task 2

Take home exam

A take home exam on practices of negotiation will be administered on Canvas. The exam will be available from 9:00am on Tuesday 18 August and will close at 11:55pm on Wednesday 19 August 2026. The assessment is estimated to take a minimum of 3 hours to complete for quality responses. It will assess students' knowledge of the readings and class discussions in the first part of the course. Further detail will be provided on Canvas.

The aim is to verify how students are able to utilise and express in an analytical way the material that they have absorbed in the first part of the semester, particularly the key concepts and skills that lie at the heart of negotiation processes.

The use of AI (such as - but not exclusively - for research, writing, formatting, and referencing) is not permitted, and any use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity. This is a formal exam, therefore late submission is not accepted. Please ensure that you make appropriate arrangements to complete the exam within the set time period. If the task is submitted after the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. Students who are unable to complete the examination owing to extenuating circumstances should submit an Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA).

Assessment Task 3

Reflective research essay

Students will write a research essay of 1800 words (+/-10%, excluding references) that critically reflects on the peace negotiation simulation. This involves analysis of (i) what worked well and what the actors could have done differently; (ii) how a mediator could have assisted the parties to reach agreement sooner or on more favourable terms; and (iii) the prospects for success of the agreement. Students will draw on their experience of the negotiation, academic literature, as well as lessons learnt from contemporary conflicts and negotiations of their choosing. Further detail will be provided on Canvas.

 

The aim is to analyse and evaluate the nature and future of conflict and diplomatic negotiation, and to design strategies to respond.

The use of AI (such as - but not exclusively - for research, writing, formatting, and referencing) is not permitted, and any use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 4

Simulation research materials

In light of the reflective research essay that you had to write, in small groups students will take part in a research-based simulation on a key challenge affecting our ability to negotiate: mis- and disinformation. In this simulation, different actors will present their accounts of a conflict in the Asia-Pacific, which will be evaluated by an information committee. Further detail will be provided on Canvas.

The exercise is designed to complement the reflective essay by enhancing students’ ability to analyse and evaluate different narratives of a contemporary conflict, understand the contextual reality of what peace and conflict can mean from various perspectives, and clearly showcase knowledge of academic source criticism skills.

 

Each group will be assessed on their preparation work in the form of case notes (i.e. an overview and reasoning of the case from a given actor's perspective) as well as a visual aid (e.g. a pamphlet, PowerPoint, graph, chart, sign) that will be distributed during the simulation. The following assessment criteria will be used:

- Quality of argument and analysis of the group's position

- Use of principles of source criticism to support or cast doubt on information narratives

- Quality and relevance of supporting material

 

The group must submit a document of 2000 words (+/- 10%, excluding references) of their preparation case notes, and a copy of their visual aid, on Canvas.

The use of AI (such as - but not exclusively - for research, writing, formatting, and referencing) is not permitted, and any use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students