New course: Geopolitics and strategic communication

In this course students will learn about the process of negotiations as they appear in conflict situations. People employ different strategies in their communications in order to deal with conflict. Every field of study, every boardroom meeting and every political campaign, whether it is about globalization, agricultural innovation, natural resource management, climate change, social inequalities, or the decline of the welfare state, has similar strategic negotiations going on. Every side attempts to dominate or frame the debate in their favor. Persuasion and rhetoric are used every day and in every context, and this is your chance to learn how to play the game. Power-relations, strategies, negotiations, imaginations, agreements, and trust are aspects that are extensively elaborated on.

Next to lectures and literature study, students will play the strategic board game ‘Diplomacy’. This game offers a realistic simulation of a negotiation process. It can be used to better understand theories as well as how these theories can be used to analyze practices. Before, during and after the game students and lecturers will together discuss the usefulness of different theories for analyzing the strategies of the different players and the development of the game.

After successful completion of this course students are able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical concepts for understanding interpersonal relations
• Reflect upon geo-politics and strategic communication
• Understand and apply strategies influencing negotiation processes
• Be strong like a lion and cunning like a fox
  

The course outline is available here.