Document Type
Graduate Syllabus
Date
Fall 2026
School
Diplomacy
Course Number
DIPL 6104 NA
Course Description
This course provides an overview of academic theory and diplomatic practice on the art and science of international negotiations.
The Fall 2026 semester unfolds against the backdrop of the election of the next UN Secretary-General, with negotiations from UN Member States, the Security Council, and the General Assembly actively taking place. Students will analyze this process in real time and consider how various actors negotiate and come to agreements on processes leading to inter-governmental elections and negotiated agreements.
In addition, a study of selected international negotiators, negotiation techniques, practices, and standards will complement an analysis of internationally agreed documents such as those leading to the creation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact of the Future, and the Declaration on Future Generations.
By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of how negotiations take place; will engage in conversation with diplomatic negotiators to enhance their practical knowledge; will learn skills that assist in the analysis of international processes; and will apply negotiation techniques to their lives and professional pursuits.
Key Questions Explored
Students will answer the questions of how negotiations are conducted and what the key qualities of successful negotiators are; what the best techniques are to bring to discussions; and how to identify different positions and draw from examples of milestone international negotiations.
Students will understand the role of cultural diplomacy and how it is interwoven into skilled international negotiations; how international negotiations impact humanitarian diplomacy and post-conflict development; and identify who the key parties involved in select case studies were.
Through examining these issues, students will develop critical perspectives on the evolving landscape of international negotiations and its implications for stakeholders; understand the role of NGOs and other actors in intergovernmental negotiations; and personally draw out answers from diplomatic negotiators.
Recommended Citation
Abate, Claudia M.S. and Vieira de Mello, Sergio visiting Chair, "DIPL 6104 NA The Art and Science of International Negotiations" (2026). Diplomacy Syllabi. 901.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/diplomacy-syllabi/901
