The Global Diplomacy course is a unique offering to the MOOC environment. Bringing together cutting edge research in the broad fields of Diplomatic and International Studies, award winning distance learning delivery and the instructors previous experience of delivering a successful MOOC. Please see the volume Global Diplomacy: Theories, Types and Models authored with Dr Alison Holmes, (Westview, 2016), and the Understanding Research Methods MOOC from 糖心vlog官网观看.





Global Diplomacy 鈥 Diplomacy in the Modern World

Instructor: Dr Dan Plesch, SOAS University of London
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There are 5 modules in this course
What do we really mean when we talk about diplomacy? Is it the art of subtle persuasion, the business of international negotiation, or something more everyday and human? In this opening week, you鈥檒l begin to unpack the meaning and practice of diplomacy, not just as a set of official procedures, but as a dynamic process shaped by history, power, and culture. Through a mix of media, activities, and critical discussion, you'll explore how diplomacy operates, who gets to represent whom, and how these questions have been debated from traditional realist thinkers to contemporary voices. This week lays the groundwork for thinking critically about diplomacy in both its classical and evolving forms.
What's included
2 videos5 readings1 assignment1 plugin
What makes diplomacy succeed or fail? This week invites you to explore the delicate balance between vision and compromise, process and power. You'll examine how diplomats navigate high-stakes negotiations, and what happens when dialogue breaks down or goals collide. Drawing on both historical case studies and contemporary global efforts, you鈥檒l reflect on the strategic, political, and human dimensions that shape diplomatic outcomes. From post-war peacebuilding to environmental agreements, the week offers a chance to consider not only how success is defined, but who gets to define it and at what cost.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
What kind of person becomes a successful diplomat? This week explores the human qualities and professional competencies that underpin effective diplomacy. Drawing on reflections from career diplomats and national perspectives, you鈥檒l consider what it means to represent a country with credibility, skill, and integrity. Through readings, discussions, and case-based insights, you鈥檒l reflect on the balance between personal attributes, institutional expectations, and cultural adaptability in diplomatic practice. This week invites you to think critically about how diplomacy is not only something diplomats do, but something they embody.
What's included
3 videos3 readings1 assignment1 plugin
This week focuses on how diplomacy operates in practice, across a range of settings, from formal international institutions to public-facing cultural initiatives. You will examine how diplomacy is used to prevent conflict, influence international perceptions, and foster cooperation between nations. Through real-world case studies and reflective activities, you鈥檒l consider the strategic decisions diplomats make, the tools they use, and the challenges they face in different cultural and political contexts. This week invites you to critically evaluate diplomacy not just as a concept, but as a set of evolving practices shaped by context, creativity, and negotiation.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment1 plugin
In this final week, you are invited to reflect on the many dimensions of diplomacy explored throughout the course. Through diverse perspectives from scholars and practitioners, you鈥檒l revisit key themes such as what makes diplomacy succeed, how its meanings evolve across cultures, and who gets to shape its future. The materials encourage you to think critically about diplomacy鈥檚 changing role in a complex global environment and to consider your own views on where it鈥檚 heading. Whether you're curious about pursuing diplomacy as a career, exploring it academically, or simply refining your global perspective, this week offers a space to consolidate your learning and imagine what comes next.
What's included
6 videos4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
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Reviewed on Sep 21, 2021
This course contained some remarkable reading materials and quality videos with educated professionals. It was fun completing this MOOC with peer reviews and earning the certificate. Kudos UOL!
Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025
I love that platform. This is my first time online course and I literally love it. But I think sometimes if you provide certificate for free it will be useful for many people. Anyway,Thanks a lot鉂わ笍
Reviewed on May 2, 2020
Absolutely incredible course in diplomacy that gives you a perfect glimpse of understanding how diplomacy works in practice and what achievements you need to posses in order to become a good diplomat.
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