A Course for Ukrainian College and International Students

We are excited to announce the upcoming International Crisis Management certificate course for international students and auditors. As before, the course will concentrate on Ukrainian university students while welcoming others, worldwide.

The course is free of charge.

The format will be by Zoom (synchronous) and will require a Gmail account for access to Google Classroom course materials.

Application Instructions

Ukrainians in Ukrainian universities

Submit a statement of interest and CV to Dan Whitman at dwhitman89@gmail.com no later than July 15. Please state whether you plan to (1) audit; or (2) complete course requirements as a candidate for certificate of completion. [Option: you may submit a WhatsApp telephone number/code for increased communication and alumni group information.]

Results will be announced on August 15. The course will run from September 15 to December 15 (thirteen weeks).

Auditors and certificate candidates in other countries

Students outside of Ukraine who seek evaluation and certificate candidacy should arrange this with your local academic institution.  If you are not affiliated with a university, you are still welcome to audit. To do so, send a brief email to Dan Whitman stating the reason you wish to be included. You will need a Gmail address to have access to the Google Classroom contents.

Partners

Dan Whitman, PhD, Foreign Service Officer (ret.) in collaboration with Delphi Global Research Center, and the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES), George Washington University. Senior diplomat Jack Zetkulic will provide sessions, and student mentors will assist.

Certificates

The course supervisors can monitor and evaluate Ukrainian students who seek certificates.  All others should make local arrangements with accredited institutions. Anyone anywhere is welcome to audit.

Description

Not all human and natural disasters yield “resolution.” Effective planning requires a clear description of the challenge, and a stated vision of the desired outcome, sometimes called the “End State.” In cases of conflict, planners must understand the motives of the opposing force, even when the latter is committing criminal acts.

The course engages students in simulated task force operations, drawing on real life situations adapted for the classroom. Scenarios will put the student in the position of analyzing and addressing crisis situations within working groups. Active class participation is essential.

 Students wishing a certificate of participation will attend sessions, take notes, maintain weekly readings, and submit 5-6 short reflection papers, an After-Action Report, and a short final project. Estimated preparation time of 4-6 hours per week outside of class. The course calls for 8 hours of work per week, for 12 weeks. B1/B2 comprehension and writing skills in English required.

Objectives

• Understand the nature and recent history of international politics and conflict.

• Gain an overview of theory and practice of foreign policy formulation and implementation.

• Develop analytical skills needed to assess major global and regional foreign policy challenges.

• Practice international legal advocacy in peaceful settlement of disputes.

• Conduct simulations drawn from recent crisis management approaches by the US, UN, and other policy makers.

Schedule

Sessions will take place Mondays and Thursdays at 1000 Washington time, for 75 minutes.  Note that the time changes in the United States November 2. Alternating sessions will include lecture/discussion sessions, usually Mondays; and selected speakers, usually Thursdays.

Phases

• Conflict/strategy – Definition and examination of each. From the origins - Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Tolstoy - to the Grand Strategies of the Cold War (George F. Kennan and “The Long Telegram”) - to the present.

• Simulation – A real-time role play requiring quick research in a simulated crisis. Courtesy the U.S. Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy.

• Public Diplomacy – A discussion of the history and objectives of “PD,” and demonstrate public information strategy. “Hard, soft, smart power” (Joseph Nye).

• Disinformation – Tracking the history and technique of disinformation, with available technologies for countering it.

• Managing an Embassy - A brief history of diplomacy, protocol, intra-organizational communication, management. ICS process (State Department Integrated Country Strategies for US embassies abroad).