William Vocke, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan)
Cultural Diplomacy and Strategic Communications are a part of Public
Diplomacy (PD). Cultural Diplomacy involves using all the aspects of your countries culture to try to impact favorably the citizens of another country. Strategic communications is the military version and is aimed at winning the “hearts and minds” of people. These two forms of PD are placed within a broader PD framework. The theories and ethical choices underlying PD are reviewed, but the course takes a fairly practical approach developing a Policy Proposal Case Report and a Briefing Paper focusing upon Cultural Diplomacy and (military-term) Strategic Communications
1.
To understand the broad area of Public Diplomacy (PD)
2.
To understand the specific areas of Cultural Diplomacy and Strategic
Communications
3.
To appreciate the theoretical ideas underlying PD
4.
To become aware of the ethical choices and dilemmas involved in PD
5.
To develop skills at constructing, explaining, and implementing a purposeful
PD activity
6.
To learn to develop and communicate a larger strategic vision
7.
To improve students’ writing skills
3/4 Overview
3/11 Defining Public Diplomacy (PD)
1.
Cultural Diplomacy as a piece of PD
2.
Strategic Communications as the military’s version of PD
3.
Virtual and E Diplomacy
3/18 Defining PD continued
3/25 History of PD
4/1 Rise of Soft Power
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4/8 Drivers behind increased emphasis on PD
4/15 Theories of PD
4/22 Nation Branding
4/29 Case Studies – US; 1 hour guest lecture
5/6 Case Studies – Canada, Australia, NZ; 1 hour guest lecture
5/13 Case Studies – UK, Europe; 1 hour guest lecture
5/20 Case Studies – Africa, Asia, Latin America
5/27 Case Studies – China
6/3 Case Studies – Taiwan ; 1 hour guest lecture
6/10 Theory reviewed
6/17 Ethics
6/24 Conclusion
2 students guide discussions each day with the professor’s direction
1 Hour will be used each day for presentations
4/15 4 Policy Presentations
4/22 4 Policy Presentations
4/29 4 Policy Presentations
5/6 4 Policy Presentations
5/13 4 Policy Presentations
5/20 4 Briefing Paper Presentations
5/27 4 Briefing Paper Presentations
6/3 4 Briefing Paper Presentations
6/10 4 Briefing Paper Presentations
6/17 4 Briefing Paper Presentations
6/24 Final paper Due
Lecture, presentation and discussion
1.
Participation 10%
2.
Guide discussion in 2 classes 20% each
3.
Write & present a Policy Proposal Case Report 20% (PPT & Paper)
4.
Prepare and present a Briefing Paper 25% (PPT & Paper)
5.
Final paper 25%
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1.
Participation: students are required to attend, to read all assignments every class, and to engage in the discussion.
2.
Guide Discussion: For each class, two students have the primary responsibility for guiding the discussion and interacting with the professor on the issues; although all are expected to participate. You will be graded on: a.
Your understanding of the substance of the readings b.
Your effectiveness in engaging the class in that substance
3.
Policy Proposal Case Report: You are a diplomat. You must choose your country and target (with the professor). Then you propose a project/ activity/ event/ publication/ etc. which will be an effective application of cultural diplomacy or strategic communications. Write a Case Report (3 pages) for your supervisor and prepare a PPT (10 minutes) to present to the staff. This is a very narrow focus on something to be done, a micro view.
4.
Briefing Paper: You are a diplomat. You must choose your country (with the professor). You will brief the President on the major PD challenges facing your country and suggest a strategy to meet those challenges. Write a Briefing Paper (5 pages) describing the challenges and strategy. Prepare a PPT (10 minutes) to present to the President. This is a macro view.
5.
Final Paper: What theoretical approach(es), ethics, and strategies do you find most effective as PD tools of diplomacy? Explain and provide illustrations. What will be your approach, if you practice PD?
Provided in the first class
The syllabus may be adjusted by the professor when necessary.
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