POL 021 - Diplomatic Correspondence

• To enable students to better understand different ways of studying and comprehending the diplomatic correspondence;
• To train students to better understand the major debates and discourses relevant to the key issues in diplomatic correspondence;
• To equip students with a good empirical grasp of different country cases and the ability to compare them;
• To increase each student’s confidence in dissecting arguments, and orally presenting ideas in a critical and logical sequence;
• To enable students to critically evaluate the principal approaches to writing any kind of diplomatic correspondence.

This module will examine the basic forms and formats of diplomatic correspondence taking place between the international actors, mainly the states at different levels. The module will be organized thematically to encourage students to look at the historical development of diplomatic correspondence both while bilateral and multilateral conflicts are solved through diplomatic channels and during the peaceful diplomatic interactions. The module focuses on diplomatic letter, format of the letter, diplomatic titles and 23 types of correspondence.

Specific areas of emphasis will include the key concepts such as Note, Note Verbale, Note Signee, Collective Note, Protest Note, Letter of Concern, Momorandum, Pro-Memoria, Aide-Memoire, Circular Diplomatic Note, Letter of Credence, Exequatur, Persona non grata, Agreed Minutes, Notice of Termination, Bout de Papier, Draft Letters, Demarches, Ceremonial Communications, Letter of Condolence, Invitation Letter, Press Statements and Reports. Diplomatic hierarchy, diplomatic ranks, international relations terms and idioms are also covered.

1. Ricardo Real P. Sousa, The Context of Conflict Resolution  in IR and the Study of Peace and Conflict, 1999.
2. Paul C. Stern and Daniel Druckman, ed. Interntional Conflict Resolution after the Cold War, National Academy Press, Washiongton D.C. 2000.
3. Tom Woodhouse, Hugh Miall and Oliver Ramsbotham, Contemporary Conflict Resolution, Polity Press, 2011.

If the exams take place in the classes, the assessment will be made in the way it is elaborated at the Syllabus.

However, if it does not take place in the classes due to the COVID-19, the PPP performances of each student will be assessed as Midterm Exam 40(%) and the Essay to be written on the same subject distributed at the beginning of the somestre will be assessed as Final Exam (60%).

Students are expected to attend the class on regular basis as clearly stated by IZU regulation.

Each student is expected to contribute to the course in an interactive way.

Each student is expected to have the print out of the Syllabus and the Course Textbook

Each student is expected to prepare the PPP and present it on the set date and submit via Turnitin the essay, which is written in an academic format.