This syllabus was originally used for the North Central College (Naperville, IL) delegation’s trip to St. Louis for the Midwest Model United Nations conference. It was developed for a 300-level Model United Nations class, and can be easily adapted to apply to any quarter long (approx. 10 week) Model UN class. The faculty member who developed this class was Brian Endless.
Summary.
| Part I: | Required Texts |
| Part II: | Grading and Evaluation |
| Part III: | Class Presentations |
| Part IV: | Class Schedule |
Catalog Description
Preparation for and participation in the Model United Nations simulation program. Students represent a pre-selected country during three days of debate/diplomacy on current UN topics with students from other colleges and universities.
Part I: Required Texts
United Nations Association, Guide to Delegate Preparation
A Global Agenda: Issues Before the United Nations General Assembly [published annually – select newest edition]
Handbook(s) from MUN simulation to be attended
New York Times
United Nations Charter
Part II: Grading and Evaluation
Students are evaluated on the following basis.
| 1. |
Completed preparation binder / portfolio This includes building a binder or portfolio of all research materials the student finds which are relevant to the country the class will represent, that country’s participation in the United Nations, and the topics which will be discussed in each student’s individual committee/council at the MUN Conference. |
40% |
| 2. |
Participation in class and at the Model UN Conference This includes both participation in class discussions while preparing for the conference, a brief presentation on current events in Mexico, and two speeches which will be presented to the class on each students topics. This also includes student participation at the Model UN simulation — details of expectation for this participation will be forthcoming prior to the Conference. |
40% |
| 3. |
Support for delegation This includes building team confidence, carrying our supportive tasks, working with other members of the delegation, sharing information on the country and topics, etc. |
10% |
| 4. |
Reflection Paper This paper should evaluate your MUN experience, including assessments of the preparation for and participation in the conference, your personal learning growth, and recommendations for the future. |
10% |
NOTE: All materials must be presented on time. Since we will be reviewing multiple drafts, students are urged to do all work on a word processor.
Part III: Class Presentations
Each student will be responsible for a total of three in-class presentations. A sign-up sheet for each of these presentations will be distributed on the first day of class. The presentations are as follows.
Current Events Presentation (for assigned Member State)
Starting week II, at the beginning of each class one student will be responsible for a presentation on current events in the country being represented. This may be drawn from one or more of a variety of sources, including the New York Times, Economist, London Times, UN Chronicle, native news sources, AP or UPI stories, or reputable internet sources (such as represented government home pages).
Presentations should be on events which have occurred in the last 6 months, and students should coordinate so as not to overlap on presentations. In addition to an oral presentation which should take no more than 5 minutes, students should be prepared to answer questions on the topic. Also, the presenter should provide each person in the class with a one-half to one page synopsis of the presentation, along with copies of any source material used (newspaper articles, etc.)
Presentations on Topics I and II
Each student will be responsible for a presentation on each of the two topics their committee will discuss at the MUN conference. The first presentation should provide background on one of the two topics from the assigned Member State’s perspective. The second presentation should be on the other topic, and is given as a “formal” speech from that government’s Representative (the student) to the United Nations (the class).
Speeches should be no longer than 15 minutes in length, and will be followed by a Q&A session with the class. Also, the presenter should provide each person in the class with a one to two page synopsis of each presentation.
For committees with partners, the two students are strongly encouraged to work together on preparation for these speeches, but each student will give two independent speeches without their partner. If one partner is “concentrating” on one topic and one on the other, it is recommended that each partner give the second speech (the UN Representative /”formal” speech) on the topic which is their area of concentration.
Part IV: Class Schedule
[Note to instructor: adjust this schedule as necessary based on the number and duration of class meetings per week. Also note that the schedule may have to be adjusted based on when the conference falls during the quarter.]
| Week | Meeting | Topics, Activities and Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 |
Class Introduction Finalize Committee Assignments / Research Assignments Discussion of trip to represented country and preparation Deadlines |
| 2 |
Country Discussion and Current Issues |
|
| II | 3 |
Class Presentations – Topic I Deadlines |
| 4 |
Class Presentations – Topic I Deadlines |
|
| III | 5 | Class Presentations – Topic I |
| 6 |
Class Presentations – conclude Topic I and begin Topic II |
|
| IV | 7 |
Class Presentations – Topic II |
| 8 | Class Presentations – Topic II | |
| V | 9 |
Class Presentations – conclude Topic II Begin Resolution Writing and Caucusing |
| 10 |
Resolution Writing and Caucusing Deadlines |
|
| VI | 11 |
General Assembly Rules Training / Practice Deadlines |
| 12 |
General Assembly Rules Training / Practice Deadlines |
|
| VII | 13 |
General Assembly Rules Training / Practice Deadlines |
| 14 |
MUN participation tactics General Assembly Rules Training / Practice Deadlines |
|
| variable | 15 | Tentative date for preparatory simulation with other schools (not required but strongly recommended) |
| VIII | 16 |
Complete any last-minute review and preparations |
|
MUN Conference Insert departure and arrival dates/times as necessary |
||
| IX | 17 | Post-conference analysis and reflection |
| 18 |
Course evaluation day Deadlines |
|
| X | 19 | Reflection Paper returned and final grades distributed |