Simulation Exercise is a highly effective and engaging negotiation/ mediation activity that helps to facilitate dynamic learning, as students explore issues from both sides of the table, experiment with different approaches to resolution, and have an opportunity to see the results as they practice and learn key negotiation skills. Acting as members of a delegation, students set the direction for the team by synthesizing and articulating the interests of the actor they are representing; pre-empting the positions taken by other actors and accommodating these in their own strategies; and defending their position and the priorities they began with in the light of the final document adopted.

1. IRL 3110A-
Simulation Exercise
Course Syllabus –
Fall Semester, 2022

2. Course Description
Simulation Exercise is a highly effective and engaging negotiation/ mediation
activity that helps to facilitate dynamic learning, as students explore issues
from both sides of the table, experiment with different approaches to
resolution, and have an opportunity to see the results as they practice and
learn key negotiation skills.
Acting as members of a delegation, students set the direction for the team by
synthesizing and articulating the interests of the actor they are representing;
pre-empting the positions taken by other actors and accommodating these in
their own strategies; and defending their position and the priorities they began
with in the light of the final document adopted.

3. Purpose of the Course
The purpose of the course is to provide an experiential learning
environment where the connectivity of the different phases of a
negotiation/mediation process is made explicit.
Students will have the opportunity to apply their learning from the
Negotiation & Mediation course to the situations presented by the
simulation; and are required to address many of the issues around the
environment, technology, healthcare, business and commercial issues, labor
relations, government, and so much more, justifying and reporting the
decisions they make for their simulated case.

4. Course Objectives
to enable students to better understand the UN and AU and how they work;
to provide an opportunity for students to synthesize and articulate the interests and
priorities of an actor (namely the actor they will represent);
to improve students' understanding of how to negotiate, mediate and broker
compromise;
to provide an opportunity for more detailed analysis of the policy area upon which
the dossier will be based (the plan is to use the dispute over the use of River Nile
Waters and the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement);
to establish a greater appreciation of how politics operates, is undertaken and how
the 'management of meaning' is a core concept in negotiations.

5. Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
 Understand and utilize the main concepts and techniques applied in simulation.
 Practically experience the process that culminates in a simulation exercise of an actual
conference.
 Relate theory to practice in simulation.
 Appreciate the challenges posed to stakeholders in the given theme of a conference.
 Acquire lobbying skills and learn suitable/acceptable level of diplomatic etiquette in
diplomatic practice including dress code, speaking and drafting language.
 Appreciate the challenges posed by the sensitive and unpredictable nature in an effort to
convince delegates to embrace other delegates’ intended solution.

6. Skills
Students will be able to develop a range of broader, transferable life skills for
dealing with issues of professional and personal life, including:
basic negotiation and mediation skills;
a methodical approach to problem solving;
confidence in oral communication;
working effectively in teams;
synthesizing and articulating the interests of the actor they are representing;

7. Skills
undertaking negotiations to protect those interests;
establishing an agenda to protect those interests;
developing skills in compromising but protecting core interests;
pre-empting the positions taken by other actors and to accommodating these in
their own strategies;
defending their position and the priorities they began with in the light of the final
document adopted.
and the importance of responding with integrity and moral courage in
professional contexts.

8. Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures will offer established basis for delivering core theoretical
knowledge on the subject matter.
There will be 7 lectures followed by Simulation Exercises in which
students will be required to re-enact certain negotiation and
mediation processes so as to apply practical knowledge of the
theoretical content taught in class.
Students are expected to do their required reading before class.
This will expose students to possible challenges of being a delegate.

9. Course Requirements
i. Assumptions of Prior Learning
An ability to communicate coherently in English,
preferably both orally and in writing.
A basic ability to function as an autonomous learner.
Ability to organise and manage their own studies
Some communication skills

10. Course Requirements cont.
ii. Attendance and Participation
 An attendance roster is kept and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as
scheduled. As per the university rules, any student who misses more than 4 times will
automatically receive an F grade.
 Each student is expected to come to the class prepared to discuss the week’s required reading
materials.
 All students are expected to actively share their knowledge and experience of negotiation, mediation
and discourses going on in their environments and to participate actively in the class discussions.
 Students should also not feel constrained to follow the views that the lecturer expresses in seminars.
If they feel someone else has a better approach, they should accept that approach.
 It is important that they are comfortable with the theory that they intend applying. If they are not
comfortable, the application thereof will be artificial and insincere.
 So students are free to experiment and the course provides them with the space to do so.

11. Key Institutional Academic Policies
that shall attract Penalties
Students should note that the following are the key policies as outlined in the University Catalogue and
Students Handbook.
 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty includes: Any intentional giving or use of external
assistance during an examination without the express permission of the faculty member giving the
examination.
 FABRICATION: Any falsification or invention of data, citation or other authority in an academic
exercise.
 PLAGIARISM: This is the unauthorized representation of someone else’s thoughts, words and ideas as
if they were your own. Students must acknowledge sources from which they adopt ideas through citation
and direct quotes must be indicated by the use of quotation marks.
 PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED WORK: Presenting work prepared for and submitted to another course.
The university takes these cases seriously and violations may result in failure in the course and in serious cases
expulsion from the degree program.

12. Course Texts
Lewicki, R. J., Saunders, D. M., Minton, J. W., Roy, J., & Lewicki, N.
(2011). Essentials of negotiation, Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Mitchel C. Webb K. eds, New Approaches to international Mediation.
Wilkenfeld, J., Young, K., Quinn, D., & Asal, V. (2007). Mediating
international crises. Routledge.
Given the scarcity of published texts on Simulation, students could be
encouraged to pay close attention to lectures.

13. Week 1: Introduction
to the Course & Simulation
The first week introduces the course, its
schedule, the course assignments, grading,
attendance policy, and other formal
course requirements. The meaning and
distinction of real negotiation from
simulation will also be introduced.

14. Week 2: Documents
of Diplomatic Negotiations
The session will look at the diplomatic documents most widely
used in negotiation such as Letters of credence (Credentials),
Note Verbale, memorandum, official letter, Working paper, aide-
mémoire, Communique, press release, Draft Resolutions and
Resolutions
Reading assignment:
 Makumi Mwagiru Diplomacy: Documents, Methods and Practice
IDIS 2004

15. Week 4: Process
of Diplomatic Negotiations
There are two types of diplomatic negotiations: bilateral and
multilateral.
Whatever the type, the process of a negotiation in diplomacy
goes through five important stages - preparation, discussion,
proposing, bargaining and settling process.
The session will discuss all the five stages and the documents
associated with each stage.

16. Week 5: Diplomatic/
Conference Etiquette.
Protocol and etiquette are resources for proper conduct in unfamiliar
settings, toolkits to leave a lasting good first impression, avoid giving
offence, and a hallmark of sophistication.
Discussion topics: - Dress Code and Speech
 Table and Dining
Reading assignment: Handout on Etiquette in Diplomacy
 G Berridge Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
Palgrave MacMillan 2005

17. Week 6: Rules of Procedure
with reference to UN and AU.
The session will examine and discuss how negotiations are conducted at
the United Nations and the African Union.
Privileges and Immunities,
Languages and
Protocol.
Reading assignment
• Makumi Mwagiru Diplomacy: Documents, Methods and Practice IDIS
2004.

18. Week 7: Mid Semester Examinations
A 1 hour written examination will assess
students’ understanding of the documents
and processes of diplomatic negotiation.

19. Week 8 & 9: Process of
International Mediation
 Of all the methods of peaceful management
of conflicts, mediation has been the most
popular. The process of a mediation goes
through twelve mediator moves
 establishing relationship with the
disputing parties,
 selecting a strategy to guide mediation,
 collecting and analyzing background
information;
 Designing a detailed plan for mediation;
Building trust and cooperation;
beginning the mediation session;
defining issues and setting an agenda;
uncovering hidden interests of the
disputing parties;
generating options for settlement;
Assessing options for settlement;
final bargaining; and achieving formal
settlement/Peace Agreements.

20. Week 10: The contents
of Peace Agreements
According to Prof. Makumi Mwagiru, in terms of substance, peace agreements contain various
elements, all of which are intended to form the basis of peace relations between the parties: These
include provisions on:
 Cease – fire
 Disarmament
 Demobilization,
 Holding of elections and their monitoring
 The interim Authority and its Composition
 the composition of the post – conflict armed forces, and
 The new constitution

21. Weeks 11 & 12: Staging of the Simulation
To consolidate the skills learnt so far, students will re-enact certain Diplomatic
Negotiation/International Mediation so as to apply practical knowledge of the theoretical
content taught in class. This will expose the students to possible challenges of being a
delegate.
The simulation aims to apply the theory and skills learned in the last seven lectures, while
raising awareness of the political - rather than mechanical - nature of any
negotiation/mediation process.
Thus, this is not a course that focuses exclusively on negotiator’s/mediator’s capacities and
prescriptive guidance, but it is one that will give students a basic toolbox for developing
into a trained professional in the field.

22. Weeks 13: Drafting of
respective group reports
The drafting of the final document/reports
arising out of the diplomatic negotiation or
International Mediation generally follow
certain format e.g. all must begin with a
Preamble, Definitions and in the case of
Peace Agreements, Date of Entry into Force.

23. Week 14: Final Exam
A 11/2 hours written examination will assess
students’ understanding of Mediation
Processes, contents of Peace Agreements and
drafting of the documents arising out of the
diplomatic negotiations or International
Mediations.

24. Feedback & Questions
I am happy to consider your evaluations of this course.
Please raise any difficulties as they arise.
You will be able to anonymously assess the course via
the university system near the end of the semester and I
ask that you take the time to fill in the questionnaire, as it
is taken very seriously by the department, school and
university.
Your feedback is important.

25. Use of Blackboard
The Blackboard will be the primary mode of communication
for the course.
Information will be posted to the blackboard (and the
WhatsApp group) by the course convenor.
Likewise, students are expected to post any relevant
information such as presentations or handouts that they have
produced to the blackboard and the WhatsApp group as soon
as possible (preferably prior to the class in question).

26. Course Assessment
There will generally be both formal and Informal Assessments.
Informal Assessments
• Informal assessment will occur throughout the course.
• Self-assessment, peer assessment and lecturer feedback will take place from time to
time after exercises, and at the end of each session students will be given an
opportunity to reflect on what they have learnt during the course of that session.
Formal assessment
• Assessment will take THREE forms: Simulation Project, Simulation Exercises and
Examinations.

27. Course Evaluation cont.
Simulation Project.
Students will draft a hypothetical final document/report arising out of the Kenya
Somalia Maritime Border Dispute negotiation or Mediation process or for any conflict
that they are generally familiar with.
Submission of the research proposal:
The hard copy of the final document/report will be submitted on November 12th 2022
during class time. All final document/report must have a minimum length of 750
words and a maximum length of 1,000 words (not including footnotes and references).
You will in addition have to submit a soft copy of the same through the convenor’s
email address provided on page 1. The hard copy must be spiral bound.

28. Simulation Exercise.
Students will be divided into TWO groups to for a negotiation/mediation exercise.
Simulation Exercises provide students with the opportunity to practise their
negotiation/mediation skills.
At the end of each exercise fellow students and the course convenor will assess their
negotiation and communication skills.
The convenor will then also provide feedback, by commenting on specific issues
that arose and demonstrated certain skills.
A mark sheet setting out the assessment criteria for the practical examination is
attached. Examples of Simulation Exercises can be found at
https://www.lawyeringpeaceclass.com/indus-river-negotiation-simulation

29. Examinations
2 written examinations during Week 7 and
at the end of the Semester (in December)
will assess students' understanding of
documents and processes of Negotiation
& Mediation.

30. Award of Marks
1. Attendance and Participation - 10%
2. Simulation Project - 20%
3. Simulation Exercise - 20%
4. Mid-Semester Exam - 20%
5. Final Exam - 30%
Total 100%

31. GRADING
A 90 – 100
A- 87 - 89
B+ 84 - 86
B 80 - 83
B- 77 - 79
C+ 74 - 76
C 70 - 73
C- 67 - 69
D+ 64 - 66
D 62 - 63
D- 60 – 61
F 0 - 59

32. Negotiation simulation
and role-play exercises
Highly effective and engaging, negotiation simulation exercises help to
facilitate dynamic learning, as participants explore issues from both sides
of the table, experiment with different approaches to resolution, and have
an opportunity to see the results.
Negotiation simulation and role-play exercises introduce participants to
new negotiation and dispute resolution tools, techniques and
strategies. The field of negotiation is constantly evolving, and as such,
requires new ways of teaching negotiation.

33. Negotiation simulation
and role-play exercises
Through negotiation simulation, participants learn:
How to hone their “basic” skills of negotiation, such as active listening, improving
one’s BATNA, and inventing options of mutual gain.
How to improve the process by organizing informal dialogue before the formal negotiations.
The importance of the basic tenets of the mutual gains approach to negotiation: prepare, create
value, distribute value, and follow through.
How to handle multi-party negotiation dynamics, including coalition building, as well as meeting
design, and caucusing.
How to evaluate a wide range of possible agreements using both technical and non-technical
criteria.

34. Negotiation simulation
and role-play exercises
How to handle uncertainty by using contingent agreements.
How to create value through trades across different priorities.
Address the tension between creating and claiming value.
The impact of aspirations and reservation values on negotiated outcomes.
The importance of responding and adjusting to new information as it
becomes available during a negotiation.

35. THANK YOU