Course Title: Negotiating Transnational Agreements

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Negotiating Transnational Agreements

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

SOCU1047

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Spring2009,
Spring2010

SOCU2251

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Viet3 2009,
Viet2 2010,
Viet3 2010,
Viet1 2011,
Viet2 2011,
Viet3 2011,
Viet1 2012,
Viet2 2012,
Viet3 2012,
Viet1 2013,
Viet2 2013,
Viet3 2013,
Viet3 2014,
Viet1 2015,
Viet2 2015,
Viet2 2016,
Viet3 2017,
Viet1 2018,
Viet2 2018

Course Coordinator: Assoc Professor Julian Lee

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3440

Course Coordinator Email: julian.lee@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.5

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course describes and analyzes the universal role of negotiations found in the practice of international diplomacy. The diplomat qua negotiator always sets out to achieve an agreement or understanding which was somewhat better than the realities of their fundamental position would have justified and which, in any case, would have been no worse than their fundamental positions would have required. This is as true in relations between nation-states as in relations between organizations, corporations, and individuals. You as the student will learn and apply skills based on proven diplomatic practice that will assist in formulating effective, ethical, and sustainable approaches to negotiations and deal-making, while developing sensitivity both to international and local cultures. The course moves from the study of negotiation concepts and skills to an appreciation of versatile strategies in complex negotiations, involving multilateral and bilateral partners, issues, and agendas. You will explore a series of case studies in negotiations and agreements in a transnational context. The mastery or failure of the art of negotiation can and often does have profound ramifications in the real world.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations, global cultures, language and economic issues to your professional practice or further study. 
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on knowledge about a rapidly changing world derived from multiple sources, perspectives and values systems. 
  • Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to effectively solve a range of problems associated with policies and programs in international and cross-cultural settings, and assess economic, cultural, social, environmental and political opportunities and risks. 
  • Work professionally and effectively with others in diverse cultural, linguistic and organisational contexts, and to adapt practices and knowledge to local circumstances. 
  • Communicate effectively in international and cross-cultural contexts, and facilitate collaborative partnerships within diverse communities of practice, using appropriate formats, media and styles. 
  • Reflect on the experience of personal and professional practice in international and cross-cultural settings and to act in professionalised settings responsibly, ethically and with integrity. 
  • Apply concepts and techniques of security analysis and strategic thinking to contemporary global security challenges 
 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. apply core negotiation skills in a variety of negotiating exercises and cases in transnational contexts; 
  2. identify and interpret cultural differences and analyse how they manifest in language and communication; 
  3. reflect on how your cultural background has shaped your own negotiation styles; 
  4. identify and analyse issues that may negatively impact the negotiation towards a trans-national agreement; 
  5. evaluate and apply communication and computer technologies that are used in negotiation and support, and in the conduct of negotiations in e-business and beyond. 
       


Overview of Learning Activities

You will have opportunities to examine different negotiating styles and settings through theoretical and practical approaches. A variety of active learning experiences is planned, including case study analysis and interactive sessions such as small group discussions. You are asked to be creative, read widely, and experiment with various negotiation styles and to explore and acquire various practical skills through participation in hypothetical exercises. Various exercises and case studies are used as teaching tools. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

The assessment is designed to develop your capability to identify research issues and design and plan diplomatic solutions as the basis for further involvement in the business of international diplomacy, including defence, foreign affairs, and trade. 

 
Assessment Tasks 

Major research essay (50%) (CLO1, CLO2, CLO5)  

Take home exam (50%) (CLO3, CLO4, CLO5) 

 
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

 
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.