Digitalization in International Relations

2022/2023

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

4

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

4 year, 3 module

Instructor

Arkatov, Dmitry

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course discusses the contemporary changes of and challenges to international relations and diplomacy, provoked by the emergence of digital technologies. The course considers such aspects of digitalization in international relations, as digital diplomacy, data diplomacy, global internet governance, cybersecurity and other issues. Students will be provided with the theories and practical cases of the use of new technologies in contemporary diplomacy.

Learning Objectives

• The first goal of the course is to form a systematic view on the contemporary issues of digitalization process in international relations
• The second goal is to cover the methods and approaches used in the international relations to analyze digitalized sources to develop different policies

Expected Learning Outcomes

• - able to work with information: find, evaluate and use necessary information from different sources in order to solve scientific and professional problems (including through the system approach)
• Able to solve professional problems based on synthesis and analysis
• A student should be able to understand fundamental terminology

Course Contents

• Digital Diplomacy: the basics
• Social Media and Diplomacy
• Data Analysis for International Relations
• Data Science for Foreign Policy: How to analyze actors and groups
• Internet Governance and International Organizations
• Cybersecurity and Information Security
• Digital Voting: the introduction
• The last test

Assessment Elements

• Seminar Participation
• Mid-term MCQ test
  During the 4th class, the students will have to pass the test covering the first four topics of the subject. The test consists of 15 closed questions, where a student has to choose one of the four answers.
• Final Test
  The final test will be conducted during the class and include all the topic covered over the course of the subject. The number of questions is 30. The test is paper-based.
• Exam
  If a student is not exempted from the exam, they should submit a reaction paper reflecting their opinion on one of the issues covered during the course

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 3rd module
  0.2 * Exam + 0.2 * Mid-term MCQ test + 0.4 * Final Test + 0.2 * Seminar Participation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Holmes, M., & Bjola, C. (2015). Digital Diplomacy : Theory and Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=966019

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Nye, J. S. (2004). Soft Power : The Means to Success in World Politics (Vol. 1st ed). New York: PublicAffairs. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=461952