The overarching question imparting urgency to this exploration is: Can U.S.-Russian contention in cyberspace cause the two nuclear superpowers to stumble into war? In considering this question we were constantly reminded of recent comments by a prominent U.S. arms control expert: At least as dangerous as the risk of an actual cyberattack, he observed, is cyber operations’ “blurring of the line between peace and war.” Or, as Nye wrote, “in the cyber realm, the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon may come down to a single line of code, or simply the intent of a computer program’s user.”
Session 1 - Key Definitions, Stakeholders, and Challenges
Friday, Oct 15th, 10:30am-12:00pm ET
Virtual: Zoom
Part I: Study
- The difference and similarities between cultural diplomacy and soft power
- The beginnings of cultural diplomacy: Jefferson and Franklin
- The Good Neighbor Policy: Carmen Miranda, Aaron Copeland and more
- The creation of the OCIAA (The Office of the Coordinator for Inter-American Affairs)
Key Questions:
- How does cultural diplomacy differ from soft power?
- What were the results of the Good Neighbor Policy cultural initiatives? Were these missions successful, and why?
- How can we define “American culture”?
Readings:
All required readings will be provided in advance
1. Searching for a Cultural Diplomacy, Jessica C.E. Gienow-Hecht and Mark C Donfried, Introduction (p: 3-25)
2. The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Chapter 1 (p: 9-32)
3. Soft Power and the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy, C.Dirlikov Canales, Chapter 13 (currently unpublished, copies will be provided)
Optional
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Chapter 1 (153 pages)
Part II: Discussion
Guest Speakers:
John Ferguson, Founder and Executive Director, American Voices.
In 1993, John created American Voices to fulfill the need for quality, constructive American cultural programming in the newly independent nations of Central and Eastern Europe. He works in partnership with the U.S. State Department on Cultural Diplomacy programming.
Joanna Sherman, Founder and Artistic Director, Bond Street Theatre
As a director, choreographer, musician and actor, Joanna has initiated and participated in company projects in East Asia, South America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Under her directorship, Bond Street Theatre received a MacArthur Foundation Award in 1990 for its interdisciplinary and intercultural programming.
John Ferguson
Joanna Sherman
Session 2 – Case Studies of Cultural Diplomacy
Friday, Oct 29, 10:30am-12:00pm ET
Virtual: Zoom
Part I: Study
- The Cold War: Jazz Ambassadors, Dance Diplomacy
- Racial tension in the U.S., and how this plays out on international tours
- Non-government cultural diplomacy: North Korea
Key Questions:
- Should there be a central agency for U.S. cultural diplomacy programming?
- How can we measure outcomes in cultural diplomacy efforts?
Reading:
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn Chapter 4 (pp: 96-125)
Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker:
Stacy E. White, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. State Department
Stacey White
Session 3 – Understanding Soft Power
Friday, Nov 12th, 10:30am-12:00pm ET
Virtual: Zoom
Part I: Study
Defining soft power and understanding its role in international relations
Non-government cultural diplomacy
Sports Diplomacy: The Little Ball Moves the Big Ball/Nixon goes to China
Reading
Nye, Joe. "Soft power: the evolution of a concept," Journal of Political Power, December 20, 2019. DOI: 10.1080/2158379X.2021.1879572
Key Questions:
How can we distinguish between propaganda, soft power, and cultural diplomacy?
What role can soft power play in addressing today’s challenge?
Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker:
Joseph S. Nye Jr, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government
Joseph Nye
Session 4 – Cultural Diplomacy in Action Today
Friday, Dec 3rd, 10:30am-12:00pm ET
Virtual: Zoom
Part I: Study
An exploration of how to address today’s U.S. foreign policy challenges through cultural diplomacy programming and soft power efforts
Reading
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Conclusion (pp: 149-156)
Key Questions:
- What is the role of charisma in soft power? In cultural diplomacy?
- Which is more effective: traditional “high art” or “popular art”?
Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge, Managing Director, Center for Global Studies and Chair in International Relations, University of Bonn, author of Soft Power: The Forces of Attraction in International Relations (Springer International, 2020).
Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge