Advanced/Master of Arts in Diplomatic & Strategic Studies Degree Programs
The Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies and Advanced Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies programs are degrees focusing explicitly on international relations and related areas, which prepare graduates for a range of careers in foreign service, embassies federal ministries, NGOs and international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, etc., or in multi-national businesses dealing with governments and economies on a global scale. Through their global perspective, these programs foster global competence and the ability to work cross-culturally in the current political arena with complex inter-relations between nations.
AMADSS Program - Course of Study
1) Foundation Courses: Leadership Skills Graduate Research and Writing (1.5 credit hours) Presentation and Communication Skills for Leaders Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette (1.5 credit hours) Influential Leaders in Diplomatic History from 1648 - 1914 Intercultural Communication
2) Core Courses: Historical framework for Diplomacy, International Relations, Strategy and Politics Diplomacy and Diplomatic Processes International Relations Theory Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Crisis Management, and Peacekeeping Third World Politics Strategic Theory International Political Economy Political Ethics: Domestic, International, and Diplomatic
3) Elective Courses: Areas of Concentration Diplomatic History from 1914 until the present Foreign, Defense, and Security Policy Analysis Transnational Organized Crime Professional Leadership in International and Public Affairs Global Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Industrial Safety and Environmental Management International Law Roles, Procedures & Challenges of International Organizations
4) Internship Program: Professional Residency
5) AMDASS Thesis (or two additional courses)
Course Descriptions
Foundation Courses: Managerial Skills
Graduate Research and Writing (first course to be taken) This course assists students in successfully completing the extensive research and writing assignments required in a Master’s program, including writing a thesis of high academic standards, with relevance to the student’s career goals. Topics include primary (empirical) and secondary research techniques, source documentation, bibliographic entries, selecting, interpreting and organizing information, formatting, and editing. It provides students experience in using electronic databases and the Internet for research. The student also learns how to work effectively with her/his mentor and the Thesis Committee for a major master’s project that is a credit to the student, to the institution, and a contribution to scholarship.
Presentation and Communication Skills for Leaders This course emphasizes the importance of presentation and communication skills for effective leadership. It is designed to prepare leaders for the communication challenges of the media and workplace and enables students to develop and demonstrate effective verbal communication skills. In an interactive environment, speaking abilities are assessed and enhanced. Students develop confidence in giving formal oral presentations and using audio-visuals and presentation technology. Students also learn how to deal with the media. Video-taped student presentations in a simulated business environment followed by instructor and peer feedback are an essential component of the course.
Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette This course covers the rules of behavior customary between diplomats and interpersonal skills required of modern-day diplomats. Topics include: diplomatic etiquette, offering and accepting hospitality, administration and coordination of diplomatic missions, written communications between the diplomatic mission and the receiving state, and interaction with the media. Practical exercises, case studies, guest lectures, and role plays form part of this course.
Influential Leaders in Diplomatic History from 1648-1914 This course explores the diplomatic developments from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) until the end of the First World War - through an analysis of the influential leaders who played key roles in major events. Through using case studies of historical figures, students will develop their own skills and evaluating world leaders and shaping their own leadership strategy.
Intercultural Communication This course familiarizes students with the various dimensions of the cultural environment of business and politics and sharpens their interpersonal skills as intercultural managers and communicators. Areas of study are the anthropological framework of culture, the psychological factors underlying the intercultural encounter, international negotiations as well as the culture shock and reentry shock experienced by expatriate managers and their families. An emphasis is placed on practical applications of intercultural communication theories in a business context. In order to facilitate intercultural learning, a variety of intercultural simulations and case studies are used. Both an individual and a group project form part of the academic requirements for this course.
Core Courses: Historical framework for Diplomacy, International Relations, Strategy, and Politics
Diplomacy and Diplomatic Processes This course explores the essential skills needed for success as an international diplomat. It covers a range of diplomatic issues in their historical setting, development, and resolution. The student also explores the various processes, levels and means of conducting diplomacy. The theory and practice of diplomacy, including multilateral diplomacy, conference negotiating, drafting of resolutions, and shuttle diplomacy are also covered. The relationship between diplomacy and foreign policy; information gathering (legal and illegal), and the principles, practices and problems of diplomatic immunity and diplomatic relations are examined in terms of their relation to the Vienna Document of 1968, major developments in international law, and the UN charter.
International Relations Theory The course delineates theory, examines the contributions of several thinkers to the major scholarly traditions in IR through a study of important texts and contemporary debates about their interpretation or relevance. Topics covered include the emergence of different elements of realist thought, the international society tradition, and Marxist approaches to issues of war and peace. Moreover, contemporary streams such as the neo-neo debate, constructivism, postmodernism etc. and their impact on IR will be discussed. Focus is given to the content and context of their ideas and their impact on contemporary issues.
Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Crisis Management and Peacekeeping This course examines sources of conflict and contending theories of conflict in a changing world with emphasis on discovering the roots of conflicts. Theoretical approaches to conflict resolution are studied and compared to practical real-world examples of conflicts and crises, and managing their resolution. A comprehensive systemic and social analysis will lead to discovery of possible crisis triggers, early detection and emphasis on a culture of crisis-prevention. Confidence-building measures for peacekeeping and post-conflict resolution, as well as the role of ethics and humanitarian intervention will be examined.
Third World Politics The course examines the political institutions of developing states. It analyzes the particular problems they are facing, focusing on Asia, Africa and Latin America. The course examines the relationship between Third World states with major powers, including the foreign policy implications of domestic political conflict, development strategies, regional security and integration.
Strategic Theory The course examines the concept of security as the primary goal of strategy, exploring practical questions such as the threats and vulnerabilities which require strategic solutions. Special geographic areas will be highlighted for an examination of security issues - Europe and emerging states. The course will analyze the most influential and important works in strategic theory, and their specific manifestations in the strategic doctrines of the major powers. The course covers political and military strategies and their development in the different historical periods. It also examines various analytical approaches to problems of international conflict and cooperation, and of system stability.
International Political Economy A survey of the historical development of the international political economy from the mercantilist to the post-Bretton Woods era, and of theories, which emerged from these developments. Emphasis is put on critical analysis of texts.
Political Ethics: Domestic, International, and Diplomatic This course provides the student with a forum for learning ethics subject matter in an interdisciplinary approach. The emphasis is on practical consideration of ethical dilemmas applicable to the diplomatic and international scene. The student examines the issues surrounding the application of ethics and values to decision-making. Topics include theories of ethics, dilemmas in security and defense, ethics in political campaigns, etc..
Elective Courses: Areas of Concentration
Diplomatic History from 1914 until the Present The course offers a survey of major diplomatic events from the end of the First World War to the present. It deals with the consequences of World War I, power-relationships in the interim war period, the causes of World War II and the course of this war. Moreover, it analyses the post-war situation, the period of Cold War (including the bi-polar system), the dissolution of the bi-polar system, the decay of the Soviet Union and consequences of these events for the global international system, the years of transition in the 1990s and, finally, current events.
Foreign, Defense and Security Policy Analysis The course examines different general and specific theories, methods, findings and practices of foreign policy in the context of international relations. The course analyzes the major factors affecting the formulation of states’ foreign and defense policies, concept security and causes of international instability particularly in the post Cold-War era, in the Middle East as it relates to the rest of the world, in light of nuclear proliferation, and the threat of AIDS, and shortages of natural resources such as water. Security is examined from its individual, national and international perspectives, and security sectors, the defense dilemma, the power-security dilemma, and regional security concepts are included.
Transnational Organized Crime This course begins with an introduction to criminology and the movement of small-group organized crime. International Conventions and treaties addressing international organized crime are studied, as well as the victims of organized crime and its impact on nations. The course focuses on aspects of organized crime such as drug trafficking, illegal trade of women and children, illegal arms trading, intellectual property theft, and links between criminals and international terrorists. The future directions of transnational organized crime are considered, as well as the effectiveness of efforts to control such criminal activity. Students select particular subjects and write topical papers, which form a compendium of subjects for future use by students.
Professional Leadership in International and Public Affairs Today’s leaders are often knowledge workers and virtual teams, as opposed to the single-handed leadership of many historic leaders. The flattening of organizational hierarchies and the advent of the borderless economy and the cyber age makes leadership for “ordinary” people more possible and more challenging. This course explores theory, practice, and role models, aiming to prepare the student for leadership roles in government, non-government, and transnational organizations, as well as government ministries and diplomatic posts. The public, non-profit and private sectors are included.
Global Terrorism and Counter Terrorism The course examines the origins and aims of terrorism along with the terrorist psychology and state of mind, ideologies and theologies. The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the nature of individual and state-sponsored terrorism and counter terrorism measures in the framework of various theoretical approaches to state, power, legitimacy and the international system. The complex issues of terrorism responses including military, legal, political and economic strategies will be examined in regard to their effectiveness or self-perpetuating nature. Ethical issues arising from counter-terrorism ends and means, and human and civil rights will also be addressed, in addition to the role of the media.
Industrial Safety and Environmental Management The student studies the international concerns and solutions regarding environmental issues affecting the health and safety of workers and society in general. Topics of study include: industrial hygiene, ergonomics, safety management, safety inspections, first aid, accident investigation, materials handling and storage, electrical safety, responsibility sharing, emergency response, and chemical hazard communication. Finally, environmental management as a societal task and challenge is discussed.
Management of Organizational Change The student examines methods of understanding change as a societal phenomenon and as a key driver for business and politics. The course will offer ways of anticipating change and ways of building organizational and personal resiliency. It will deal with questions such as “can we manage change?” and “if yes, how can we manage change?” Methodologies for orchestrating organizational change strategies are explored using theoretical approaches of organizational change as a basis to understand and work with case studies and diagnostic tools. This course will guide the student through the “change-management-minefield,” helping the student to assess, introduce and evaluate the variety of change management techniques available.
International Law This course examines the nature, sources and functions of international law and its relation to domestic law. This course gives a systematic overview of the historical phrases of the development of international law. Furthermore, it discusses dealing with international organizations, individuals and companies, human rights and the concept of nationality, treatment of aliens, including expropriation, the nationality of claims and other preliminary objections. It also covers immunity of jurisdiction, treaties, and acquisitions of territory, state succession, law of the sea, air law and law governing outer space. In addition, it examines methods of settling disputes peacefully, international humanitarian law and war crimes and discusses the role of the United Nations with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security.
Roles, Procedures & Challenges of International Organizations This course uses both current and past events as a basis for examining the United Nations, the European Union, and other organizations in the current international system of politics. The origins, developments and functions of the UN and its specialized agencies such as IAEA, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHRC, UNHCR, and CTBTO are studied in the context of their influence on member states and their policies. The expanding role of the European Union in political and economic integration from the 1950s onward is examined. The structure and decision-making process of the EU is analyzed in terms of current issues including agricultural policy, budgetary control, social and regional questions, and the impact of the EU’s constitutional law and common market law on external relations. The roles of important international, political, economic, and military institutions such as NATO, OSCE, the Arab League, and IMF are discussed and analyzed.
Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies Degree For the Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (MADSS) degree, the student completes: the Foundation Modules; the Core Courses, and two (2) Electives for a total of 39 credit hours. Both programs require a professional residency of 100 hours.
Advanced Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies Degree For the Advanced Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (AMADSS) degree, the student completes: the Foundation Modules; the Core Courses, two (2) Electives and a AMDASS Thesis (or two additional courses) for a total of 45 credit hours.
