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In the context of increasing globalisation that affects politics, trade, and human security, it is important that International Relations students are equipped with an understanding of how ‘soft power’ approaches to international relations function within the global system. This course provides a foundational understanding of international relations concepts and practices, such as soft power, cultural diplomacy, cultural relations, and nation branding. It will provide first-year students with foundational skills in analysis, and written and oral communication, with a focus on the professional cross-cultural competencies necessary for diplomatic work.

This course focuses on the concept of `soft power' in international relations discourse and practice. You will develop an understanding of how soft power functions through various diplomatic and cultural relations, often driven by non-state and civil society actors. You will explore and apply these concepts to various case studies and examples, such as the Olympic Games, the World Cup, the Eurovision Song Contest, the Colombo Plan, and tourism. This course is included in the International Relations major, but can be taken as an elective by any student with an interest in the intersection between politics and culture in a globalising world.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. use academic and professional skills to apply critical knowledge of the nature and evolution of ‘soft power’ as a diplomatic function within international relations;
2. contextualise the nature and evolution of the international system and the practice of diplomacy and other forms of interaction at the various levels of the system;
3. apply written and verbal communication skills that conform with the requirements of the discipline to prepare and submit academic work;
4. apply ethical research and inquiry skills to the comprehension and application of basic referencing norms and practices in their work;
5. apply cultural literacy skills by describing, analysing and applying international perspectives using discipline-specific analytical frameworks.