Available courses

International Negotiations

Drawing on current issues of international political and diplomatic negotiation, this module will aim to enhance the ability of participants to think process-wise and to develop the skills needed to negotiate and draft agreements effectively through the use of practical exercises.  Illustrating best practice in political and diplomatic negotiation analysis, it will provide the opportunity to reflect on and practice international negotiation as an instrument in navigating international relations. Participants in this program will receive a hard-copy of the Workbook on International political and Diplomatic Negotiation, to be used throughout the module. Furthermore an article on the utility of international negotiation (2024) will be made available to them (electronically). Course members don’t need to study the article before the program starts, but they might take a look at the website of the Processes of International Negotiation (PIN) Program www.pin-negotiation.org.

 

 

International Relations

During the International Relations course, theories will be used to illustrate debates within international politics. Students will analyze leading mainstream theorists and develop their understanding of contemporary debates. 

The course goals: to give basic knowledge about various IR theories and concepts. Students will learn about different types of theories and develop an understanding of how theory relates to contemporary issues. 

The outcome: students will learn various theoretical approaches from both IR theory and the wider social sciences. Students will also learn to develop their critical understanding of theoretical and policy debates. 

Small States in International Relations 2024

The goal of the course is to give an overview of small states and the challenges they face in the changing world order. The course will focus on the vulnerability and resiliency of small states to the ongoing changes in the world order.

Cyberspace Considerations for National and International Security

Cyberspace is the key feature as well as the defining factor of the modern security environment. As a human-made environment, cyberspace is the technology itself. However, cyberspace is also a tool for effective exploitation and navigation of other domains - air, land, sea, space. A growing number of malign state and non-state actors are willing and able to ‘weaponize’ inherent vulnerabilities of cyberspace. Cyber considerations are an indispensable aspect of national, as well as international security. The pandemic crisis in 2020 further emphasized the importance of secure and stable cyberspace for the proper functioning of increasingly digital societies around the globe.

The course aims at providing participants with the conceptual framework to facilitate strategic thinking about cyber defense and develop an understanding of how to integrate cyber considerations into national as well as international security policy and strategy formulation.

The course will underscore the multidimensional character of cyber defense. Diverse views from political, military, academic, and private sectors will be presented in order to highlight the importance of the comprehensive approach and cross-sector cooperation for strengthening cybersecurity on national and international levels.

The course will provide an integrated overview of contemporary geopolitical affairs and security issues to stimulate participants’ critical thinking about issues of strategic importance. The curriculum has been designed to provide the participants with basic skills and knowledge to analyze and design proper policy frameworks and strategies for cyber defense.


International Law

International law is traditionally concerned with inter-state relations, but nowadays it involves likewise international organisations and to a lesser extent also natural and legal persons. The course provides an understanding of the central principles and main branches of international law, e.g., jurisdiction and immunity, responsibility, peaceful settlement of disputes, law of treaties, consular and diplomatic law, maritime law, human rights and use of armed force. In addition to the theoretical foundation, relevant practices of states, courts and international organizations are examined in connection with discussed topics.

International Economics

International Economics course introduces students to the economic and political economy theories of international economics and their application to the real world. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand current international economic issues from different economic and political economy perspectives, and critically evaluate the policy options.

Course description: 

Compare forecasting and scenario planning • Discuss different approaches to costs and benefits of technology • Compare alternative theories of international trade • Analyze and test international trade models • Evaluate the impact of different trade policies • Identify the role of global value chains • Understand the impact of preferential trade arrangements • Analyze the nation’s balance of payment • Understand how a foreign exchange market operates • Compare the exchange rate regimes and international monetary standards • Explain financial crises, their causes and solutions. 



Economic Diplomacy

This course introduces students to economic diplomacy and its practical applications to the real world.

Course description:

·         Understand the meaning, importance and trends of economic and business diplomacy

·         Identify international trade and relevant trade policies as part of economic diplomacy

·         Evaluate different market entries abroad

·         Explore goals, practical possibilities, methods and tools of economic diplomacy

·         Explore case study and best practices: Estonian economic diplomacy in practise.

Course outcome:  At the end of the course, students should be able to understand the meaning and importance of economic diplomacy. Students are provided with core information and practical tools about economic diplomacy to be able to support their countries and private sector in order to increase state welfare and economic internationalisation.


Protocol and Etiquette

Protocol, the Soft Power of Diplomacy  by Riina Aasma, Lecturer of Diplomatic protocol and etiquette

EU History, Institutions, and Policy-Making (Spring 2024)

The aim of this course is to give an overview and a clear understanding of the political, institutional, economic, and historical dimensions of the EU and of European integration.

US Foreign Policy

This course would provide both an overview and an analytical understanding of US foreign policy.  The overview of US foreign policy would be from 1796 to 2023.  The analytical aspect would be looking at the inputs involved in forming US foreign policy and the grand strategies available to the US at the end of the cold war. 


Foreign Policy Analysis


  • The goal: To give basic knowledge about the study of foreign policy analysis. Students will learn about the different types of theories and develop an understanding of how theory relates to contemporary issues.  
  • The outcome: Students will learn various theoretical approaches from both International Relations theory and wider social sciences. Students will also learn to develop their critical understanding of theoretical and policy debates.  
  • General overview: During the course, theories will be used to illustrate debates within foreign policy analysis and decision-making process.   
  • Classroom and independent work: Independent work includes reading assignments for each class, active participation in discussions, and a written briefing paper. 

Intelligence and Counterintelligence: An Overlooked Dimension of Foreign Relations

Students will have an overview of main theoretical and practical problems concerning intelligence and counterintelligence as a future consumers of intelligence products and have basic skills to recognize possible recruitment attempts by hostile intelligence services.


The MENA Shatterbelt: Between Domestic Turmoil and Power Projection

The aim of this course is to provide a concise, yet comprehensive introduction to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) affairs. Its rationale is to enhance the appreciation of both, the region’s countries domestic power structures and the international relations dimension of the MENA at large, as parts of the region are traditional playing fields for external interventions. Numerous states also exhibit various degrees of fragility, the reason why a look beneath the surface will bring to the fore the full picture of a dynamic intra- and inter-state relationship.


Cybersecurity: Technology, Diplomacy and Law

The goal of the course is to provide a conceptual framework to facilitate strategic thinking about cybersecurity and develop an understanding of how cyber considerations can be integrated into national and international security policy and strategy

Defense and Security in Northern Europe: Current Baltic, Nordic and Arctic Security Issues

In the end of the course the participants should understand the main security issues that affect the Baltic, Nordic and Arctic regions and the tools that nations rely on in mitigating these issues.


Asia-Pacific and the Great Power Rebalancing

The course aims to guide a practical and selective discussion on the Asia-Pacific region’s economic and foreign policy landscape as well as security challenges. Students are encouraged to read some of the suggested readings and to conduct their own research on topics of interest. The instructor is currently on temporary leave from the Estonian foreign service. 


Public and Digital Diplomacy

Public speaking and communication with media

Diplomatic Skills

Drawing on current issues of international policy for its material, this module will aim to enhance the ability of participants to think politically and to develop the skills needed to draft briefs and reports effectively through the use of practical exercises. Illustrating best practice in political analysis, it will provide the opportunity to practice writing effectively for the analyst’s intended audience, and for making best use of the intellectual and analytical tools of the trade.