B.A. (Hons) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is an undergraduate degree program designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the complex world of diplomacy and foreign policy. This degree is intended to train high school students with an in‑depth, thorough, and practical understanding of how foreign policy is conceived, formulated, and implemented, and how the individual or allied foreign policies of countries strive to work in harmony based on shared interests and also deal with countries and non‑state actors that pose challenges or threats to them. Diplomacy is called the engine of international politics and this degree programme is a comprehensive learning of all the tracks of diplomacy from traditional to modern, from public to cultural diplomacy, and the links between diplomacy, defense, and national interests.

The programme aims to equip students with an overview of various instruments of a state to pursue its foreign policy in a complex and challenging world order at the intersection of a detailed consideration of the constraints and limits it faces in the international domain, emanating from the rise/fall of globalization, social and economic rights, and communication technologies which are central to media‑based public diplomacy. It is the first and unique Bachelor’s degree programme in India that combines the study of related fields of foreign policy in terms of the preservation of a state’s sovereignty and national interests, decision‑making models of national leaders, hard and soft power in the fast‑changing world order, and the essentials of statecraft– all combined into a single seamless Bachelor’s degree. The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy program features a comprehensive curriculum spanning eight semesters with a research-focused pathway in the final year. Undergraduate programs in JSIA are structured around courses that students take to complete the requirements of their major degree with an interdisciplinary Minor Concentration.

B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
Programme Structure

* Students may opt for a Dual Degree starting from Semester 5 or choose a Semester Exchange in Semesters 5, 6, or 7.

Research Pathway in the Final Year

B.A. (Hons.) with Research in Diplomacy & Foreign Policy

Students with 7.00 CGPA have the option of taking the research pathway in the fourth year and get awarded a B.A. (Hons.) with Research in Diplomacy & Foreign Policy.

 Credit Summary for BA [Hons.] with Research in Diplomacy & Foreign Policy [4 Years]

 Credit Summary for BA [Hons.] Diplomacy & Foreign Policy [4 Years]

 JSIA’S Outstanding Undergraduate Dissertation Award

The Outstanding Undergraduate Dissertation Award will be granted to a young scholar who will demonstrate exceptional academic prowess by producing a dissertation that makes a highly original and impactful contribution to the field of Diplomacy & Foreign Policy.  To be considered for this award, the dissertation must not only present a novel and relevant topic within International Relations but also reflect significant innovation in addressing contemporary global issues, emerging trends, or theoretical developments.

Elective Courses Policy

• BADFP students are offered elective courses from their second semester of study (as an optional course).
• Elective courses are categorized into:
  • General Electives: They are cross elective courses offered by other JGU Schools. These courses are interdisciplinary in nature.
  • Specialized Electives: Offered by JSIA (as school elective or cross elective). They are grouped into five main clusters:
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Economics and Foreign Policy
• Defense and National Security Studies
• Human Rights and International Development
• Global South Studies

Guidelines and Rules for Electives

• Students can take a maximum of 51 credits outside JSIA in case they choose to opt for other school’s cross elective which is 25% of the minimum credit requirement for graduation (206 credits).
• External JSIA Credits exceeding 25% will imply the approval of the Dean of the School and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for Undergraduate programmes.
• The removal of an elective with an (F) grade is possible only after the final semester if the student is fulfilling the mandatory credit requirement of 206 credits.

 JSIA Specialization Policy

JSIA is offering elective courses that are categorized into five clusters:
1. Peace and Conflict Studies
2. Economics and Foreign Policy
3. Defense and National Security Studies
4. Human Rights and International Development
5. Global South Studies
The student has to pass three electives from the same cluster and undertake a 3 month-internship with one of JSIA research centres associated with a particular cluster to be awarded the specialization certificate before graduation. The three cluster elective courses can be taken in one semester or may be spread over two or more semesters.

Major with Minor

Apart from their major degree, undergraduate students at JSIA can choose from thirteen diverse minor combinations, offering them opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary academic programs that complement their primary field of study. To pursue a minor, students need to complete 24 credits. These minors span cognate areas within the humanities, social sciences, international affairs, and public policy, enabling students to tailor their academic experience to match their career aspirations and intellectual interests. This structure empowers students to cultivate a versatile academic profile, making them well-rounded candidates for graduate studies and careers in various sectors, including public service, international relations, research, and private industry.

JSIA Electives/Cross-Electives per Specialization Clusters

JSIA undergraduate students can opt for a Minor Programme from their second year of study from various schools. The list of minor programmes offered to them is as follows:

1. Minor in Economics

The Minor in Economics offered by Jindal School of Government & Public Policy (JSGP) offers students the opportunity to learn the theoretical and empirical foundation necessary to appreciate and analyze issues in economics.

Note: JSIA Students who have done Introduction to Microeconomics and Introduction to Macroeconomics in their respective programmes can do two courses from the following courses: 

1. Intermediate Microeconomics
2. Intermediate Macroeconomics
3. Introduction to Game Theory 
4. Econometrics 1

2. Minor in Public Policy

The Minor in Public Policy offered by Jindal School of Government & Public Policy (JSGP) follows an interdisciplinary approach to develop capacities to analyze contemporary political, economic, and social issues to evaluate and design public policy.

3. Minor in Architecture Studies

The minor in Architecture Studies is offered by the Jindal School of Arts and Architecture (JSAA). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor.

 4. Minor in Interior Studies

The minor in Interior Studies is offered by the Jindal School of Arts and Architecture (JSAA). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor.

5. Minor in Urban Studies

The minor in Urban Studies is offered by the Jindal School of Arts and Architecture (JSAA). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor.

6. Minor in Psychology

The minor in Psychology is offered by the Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling (JSPC). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor

7. Minor in Environment and Sustainability

The minor in Environment and Sustainability is offered by the Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability (JSES). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor. Selected courses of JSES will be opened up for students enrolled in ‘Minor’ before the commencement of each semester, and students have to select any course/courses from that course bracket.
Some Sample Courses:

1. Water: Science and Policy
2. Environmental Pollution and Community Health
3. Sustainable Consumption and Production
4. Waste Management: Sustainable Practices
5. Natural Hazards and Disaster Resilience

8. Minor in Public Health and Development

The minor in Public Health and Development is offered by the Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development (JSPH). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor.
Requirements for the Minor in Public Health and Human Development

*Limited intake and requirement of field-visits

9. Minor in Banking & Finance

The minor in Banking & Finance is offered by the Jindal School of Banking & Finance (JSBF). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits for the award of the minor.

10. Minor in Media and Communication

The student must complete 24 credits by studying any 6 of the following core courses that will be offered in the Fall and Spring semesters of an academic year:

11. Minor in Sociology

Minor in Sociology is offered by Jindal School of Liberals Arts and Humanities (JSLH). Any two courses from the following: 1. Key Texts in Sociology, Culture and Anthropology 2. Thinking about the Field 3. Emerging Questions in Sociology and Anthropology. In addition, a student may take any 4 courses from JSLH listed under Sociology cluster.

12. Minor in Visual Arts

Minor in Visual Arts is offered by Jindal School of Liberals Arts and Humanities (JSLH). Students must complete one course from each of the required clusters: 1. Study: 2D Study 1 OR 2D Study 2 2. Skill: Photography and Digital Art OR Advance Sculpture 3. Concept: South Asian Art History and Theory 1 OR Western Art History and Theory 1 OR Expressive Arts: Visual Art 4. Creativity: Installation Art OR Still Image In addition, students must take any two courses listed under the BFA programme (except 4th year courses).

13. Minor in English 

Minor in English is offered by Jindal School of Languages & Literature (JSLL). Only JSLL courses apply towards this Minor and students must complete a total of 24 credits, including: 1. 12 credits from core BA Hons. English courses offered by JSLL (2 core courses x 6 credits each). 2. 12 credits from elective courses within JSLL, which are typically 4-credit courses.