- Define backchannel diplomacy and its historical significance.
- Analyze successful and failed uses of backchannel communications.
- Design informal communication strategies for complex negotiations.
- Maintain confidentiality, trust, and plausible deniability in sensitive talks.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of unofficial diplomatic engagement.
- Coordinate messaging between official and unofficial diplomatic tracks.
- Leverage intermediaries and third-party actors effectively.
- Use backchannel methods to de-escalate conflict and test proposals.
- Simulate backchannel negotiations under tight constraints.
- Develop a protocol for managing backchannel communication in foreign service.
Course Description: This course explores the subtle and strategic use of backchannel communications in diplomacy. Participants will learn the principles, methods, and ethical considerations behind informal diplomatic channels used for de-escalation, trust-building, and deal-making. Drawing on historical examples and simulations, students will gain the ability to design and execute silent diplomacy with discretion and impact. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats to support peacebuilding and justice initiatives in post-conflict settings. Participants will explore tools for reconciliation, legal redress, institution rebuilding, and transitional governance. Through case studies, dialogue design, and scenario planning, students will build skills to address legacies of violence and promote long-term stability. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define post-conflict diplomacy and transitional justice.
- Analyze peace agreements and mechanisms for transitional governance.
- Evaluate truth commissions, reparations, and international tribunals.
- Assess the role of diplomats in promoting reconciliation and reform.
- Support local ownership of justice and accountability processes.
- Coordinate international assistance to post-conflict states.
- Design dialogue processes that include victims and marginalized groups.
- Navigate challenges of amnesty, prosecution, and reconciliation.
- Apply lessons from global case studies of transitional justice.
- Develop a diplomatic plan to support post-conflict recovery and peace.
Course Description: This course introduces strategic foresight and intelligence analysis as core competencies for modern diplomacy. Participants will learn to assess geopolitical trends, anticipate risks, and generate scenarios for future global developments. Through exercises in horizon scanning, intelligence briefings, and predictive modeling, students will enhance their ability to inform diplomatic planning and long-term decision-making. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define strategic foresight and its relevance to diplomacy.
- Identify tools for analyzing political, economic, and technological change.
- Apply scenario planning techniques to foreign policy challenges.
- Use horizon scanning to identify emerging global risks.
- Conduct basic geopolitical and intelligence analysis.
- Design early warning systems for diplomatic strategy.
- Integrate data and expert insight into forecasting efforts.
- Communicate future scenarios and briefings effectively.
- Evaluate implications of uncertainty and complexity in diplomacy.
- Develop a strategic foresight plan for diplomatic missions.
Course Description: This course addresses the ethical, legal, and strategic dimensions of digital surveillance in international diplomacy. Participants will explore the balance between national security, privacy, and international norms. Through case studies and debates, students will learn to navigate surveillance practices, manage diplomatic fallout, and define professional boundaries in the digital age. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define digital surveillance and its uses in foreign policy and national security.
- Analyze ethical frameworks related to data collection and digital monitoring.
- Evaluate the impact of surveillance revelations on diplomatic relationships.
- Interpret national and international laws governing surveillance activities.
- Balance transparency, privacy, and security in diplomatic engagements.
- Respond diplomatically to surveillance-related crises or scandals.
- Assess risks posed by digital espionage and counter-surveillance.
- Debate surveillance practices in a global governance context.
- Design internal protocols for ethical use of digital intelligence.
- Develop a diplomatic response plan to address surveillance challenges.
Course Description: This course develops high-level leadership skills tailored for foreign policy makers and international decision-makers. Participants will explore strategic visioning, interagency coordination, adaptive leadership, and influence-building across complex global systems. The course emphasizes ethical leadership, cross-cultural intelligence, and negotiation for systemic change in global affairs. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define key principles of leadership in global governance and foreign affairs.
- Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of foreign policy leadership.
- Develop a vision and strategy for leading diplomatic missions.
- Apply decision-making models under uncertainty and risk.
- Foster interagency and international collaboration on shared goals.
- Strengthen emotional intelligence and resilience in high-stakes environments.
- Communicate effectively across cultural, ideological, and institutional divides.
- Leverage diplomacy as a leadership tool in crisis and transition.
- Empower teams and build inclusive leadership capacity.
- Develop a personal leadership action plan for global policy impact.
Course Description: This course explores the evolving role of women in global diplomacy and leadership. It highlights contributions, challenges, and transformational leadership strategies of women in foreign policy. Through historical analysis, mentorship models, and gender-responsive frameworks, participants will gain skills to lead with equity, build inclusive teams, and promote gender-informed diplomacy. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Trace the historical contributions of women in international diplomacy.
- Identify gender-based barriers and pathways to leadership.
- Evaluate global policy frameworks for gender equality in diplomacy.
- Apply gender analysis to foreign policy formulation and implementation.
- Explore inclusive leadership styles and mentorship approaches.
- Develop strategies to advance women’s participation in diplomacy.
- Create a gender-sensitive diplomatic team or program plan.
- Engage in peer coaching and collaborative leadership models.
- Assess intersectionality and diverse leadership experiences.
- Design a leadership impact plan to support women in foreign service.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats and foreign policy professionals to lead embassies, consulates, and international missions. Participants will explore management strategies, interagency coordination, security planning, personnel development, and strategic leadership of country teams. Through case studies and simulations, learners will strengthen their capacity to represent national interests while managing high-functioning, cross-cultural teams. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the structure and mandate of diplomatic missions and country teams.
- Evaluate leadership roles and responsibilities of heads of mission.
- Apply strategic planning and visioning tools to mission operations.
- Manage personnel, budgets, and security with transparency and accountability.
- Foster interagency coordination and shared mission performance.
- Support morale, inclusion, and performance across diverse teams.
- Navigate crises, threats, and political transitions effectively.
- Lead public outreach and high-level representation for the mission.
- Coordinate policy messaging and bilateral or multilateral engagement.
- Develop a leadership plan for managing a country team in a complex environment.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats and policy professionals to serve as strategic advisors to government leaders and ministries. Participants will explore tools for policy design, foresight, systems thinking, and agile governance. Through simulations and innovation labs, students will learn to generate solutions, navigate institutional dynamics, and support bold, forward-thinking policymaking. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the role of strategic advisors in foreign and domestic policy innovation.
- Analyze institutional challenges and opportunities for public sector reform.
- Apply design thinking and agile methods to diplomatic and policy issues.
- Use strategic foresight tools to shape long-term advisory guidance.
- Develop effective briefing notes, memos, and advisory documents.
- Navigate political, bureaucratic, and inter-ministerial dynamics.
- Foster collaborative leadership and cross-sector consultation.
- Communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to senior leaders.
- Measure and evaluate policy impact and innovation outcomes.
- Design a policy advisory strategy aligned with national goals.
Course Description: This course explores how diplomats collaborate with non-governmental organizations, private corporations, and multilateral partners to solve complex global problems. Participants will learn tools to build public-private partnerships, foster stakeholder trust, and align foreign policy objectives with corporate responsibility and civil society innovation. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define cross-sector diplomacy and its relevance in global affairs.
- Analyze stakeholder roles in international partnerships and diplomacy.
- Evaluate models for public-private and multistakeholder collaboration.
- Develop engagement strategies for NGOs and corporate partners.
- Assess corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its alignment with diplomacy.
- Mitigate risks and manage expectations in diverse stakeholder settings.
- Facilitate consensus and cooperation in high-complexity environments.
- Negotiate partnership agreements and diplomatic memoranda of understanding.
- Monitor and evaluate impact across sectors and policy outcomes.
- Design a strategic cross-sector engagement plan for a foreign mission.
Course Description: This course prepares diplomats to effectively manage media engagement and communication during crises. Participants will explore strategies for public messaging, press relations, digital narratives, and reputational risk management. Through media training and simulations, learners will build the confidence and competence needed to navigate high-pressure situations with clarity, credibility, and composure. Course Length: 6 weeks (36 total instructional hours) Proficiency Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Completion of a lower-intermediate ESL course or equivalent language proficiency Course Objectives:- Define the principles of media relations and public diplomacy.
- Develop communication strategies aligned with diplomatic objectives.
- Craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for diverse audiences.
- Engage confidently with journalists, broadcasters, and influencers.
- Manage media relations during crises, scandals, or emergencies.
- Use social media platforms responsibly and strategically.
- Prepare and deliver press briefings and interviews effectively.
- Monitor, analyze, and respond to media narratives in real time.
- Mitigate reputational risks through strategic communications.
- Design a mission-level media and crisis communication plan.