A Review of ‘High Stakes Diplomacy’: Fostering Effective Negotiation Skills through Experiential Learning

A Review of ‘High Stakes Diplomacy’: Fostering Effective Negotiation Skills through Experiential Learning

A Review of ‘High Stakes Diplomacy’: Fostering Effective Negotiation Skills through Experiential Learning

Zachary A. Karazsia

Abstract

"For some time, simulations have been used to understand the complexity of international relations and diplomacy. Many contemporary teacher-scholars believe using simulations, games, and strategic exercises is the most effective way to teach learners negotiation skills. This multi-day immersive setting allows students to develop character profiles and apply theory- driven strategies to a real-world diplomatic crisis. Develop the High Stakes Diplomacy (HSD) model of principled negotiation for use in international relations and diplomacy courses. HSD is an experiential learning simulation designed to educate learners on the perils of positional bargaining in international negotiation, enhance student leadership and followership experiences, and engender positive diplomacy skills. The High Stakes Diplomacy simulation, developed in January 2022, supports the application of experiential learning techniques for knowledge retention, student learning, student motivation, and theory-building. To assess learning, this study draws on Kolb’s (1984) model of experiential learning, which consists of four points of awareness: (1) concrete experience, (2) reflective observation, (3) abstract conceptualization, and (4) active experimentation. The frequentative negotiation rounds occurred across three 75-minute class sessions. The author used pre-assessments, multiparty peer observations, and a post-assessment survey and debriefing to gauge learning outcomes and experiment validity. The post-simulation survey revealed that 83.3 percent of participants found the High Stakes Diplomacy simulation facilitated greater learning of the method of principled negotiation. This result reflects a 50 percent increase in student learning from pre-assessment levels."

Reference

Karazsia, Z. A. (2023). A review of ‘High Stakes Diplomacy’: Fostering effective negotiation skills through experiential learning. Graduate Political Science Association. https://gpsa-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Karazsia-2.pdf

Keywords

Experiential Learning, Principled Negotiation, High Stakes Diplomacy (HSD)