To study the role of the United Nations organizations in the world today. To select and assist the delegates in the preparation for the National Model United Nations Conference to take place April 19 - April 23, 2011 in New York City.To study the role of the United Nations in the world today.
During this project students will:
1. Learn about how the United Nations works and develop a broad understanding of its complex nature.
2. Broaden your understanding of countries and cultures.
3. Increase your awareness of critical world issues and deepen your understanding in three important international topics.
4. Develop your skills in peaceful negotiation and sharpen your ability to persuade, conciliate and resolve disputes.
5. Build your self-confidence and improve your leadership as well as public-speaking skills.
Special Notice:
The course ends at the end of the Fall semester except for those students who will be selected to go to New York City. This is a special project in which unlike a normal course your performance directly affects everyone else in the project. You should consider this very seriously before you make a commitment to join the project. You are expected to make every meeting. You are expected to make every session in New York. If you miss sessions in New York you might be liable for delegate registration fee and hotel expenses. If you are late or unprepared for a meeting, that will impact negatively on everyone. If you cannot get along with your partner, that will negatively impact on everyone. If you are not at your best in New York, that will negatively impact on everyone. This is clearly a team effort.
Agenda Sessions and Course Syllabus
Session
Objectives and tasks by Session
1
Sept 22
Objective: Planning Meeting - Expectations
2
Sept 27
Objective: United Nations Organization
Required readings and/or tasks:
Discussion on country selection
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `The United Nations´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 18. p.312 - 328.
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `The Genesis of the United Nations´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 3. p.46 - 58.
3
Oct 04
Objective: United Nations Organization
Required readings and/or tasks:
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `The United Nations´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 18. p.311 - 328.
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `The Genesis of the United Nations´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 3. p.46 - 58.
4
Oct 18
Objective: Committees and Country Selection Due by Oct 15, 2009 - UN Rules and Procedures
Required readings and/or tasks:
Final Discussion on country selection
Preferred Registration Deadline - All applications received by midnight New York time will receive equal consideration for assignments. Registrations will still be accepted after this date, but on space-available basis.
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Basic Principles and Organization of the United Nations´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 4. p.59 - 79.
5
Oct 25
Objective: Basic Structure of the United Nations - Common Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Basic Structure and Operations of the United Nations´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 5. p.80 - 106.
6
Oct 08
Objective: International Law - Common Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `International Law´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 16. p.279 - 294.
7
Nov 15
Objective: International Law - Common Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Country/NGO Assignments Posted on Nov 1, 2009.
Hotel Registration Available.
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `International Law´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 16. p.279 - 294.
8
Nov 22
Objective: International Organizations - Specific Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `Transnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 19. p.331 - 347.
Country Background - Reports
Theory Position Paper
Committee Assignments
9
Nov 29
Objective: Mid-Term Exam on United Nations Organization
Nov 15, 2009 - Confirm Acceptance of Assignment
Nov 15, 2009 - Background Guides Posted to www.nmun.org
10
Dec 13
11
Dec 20
Objective: International Organizations - Specific Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Baylis, John, S. Smith and P. Owens, 2008. `Transnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics´, The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 19. p.331 - 347.
Discussion of Background Guides
Objective: Economic Welfare - Specific Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Promoting Economic Welfare´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 12. p.297 - 330.
12
Jan 10
Objective: Economic Welfare - Specific Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Promoting Economic Welfare´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 12. p.297 - 330.
13
Jan 31
Objective: Global Resources - Specific Committee Topics
Required readings and/or tasks:
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Managing Global Resources´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 13. p.331 - 357.
14
Feb 02
Objective: Workshop on Position Paper
Required readings and/or tasks:
Preparation of Position Paper
15
Feb 09
Objective: Draft of Position Paper Due
Required readings and/or tasks:
Draft of Position Paper Due
16
Feb 16
Objective: Social Programs - Update on Policy Sessions
Required readings and/or tasks:
Bennett, A. LeRoy, and J.K. Oliver, 2002. `Promoting Social Progress´, International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 14. p.358 - 383.
17
Feb 23
Objective: Final Exam Week
Required readings and/or tasks:
18
Mar 02
Objective: Final Delegate Selection Meeting
Required readings and/or tasks:
19
Mar 09
Objective: Committee Positions
Required readings and/or tasks::
Speech Preparation
20
Mar 16
Objective: Committee Positions
Required readings and/or tasks:
Speech Preparation
Simulations
21
Mar 23
Objective: Speech Preparation
Required readings and/or tasks:
Final Draft review of Position Paper
22
Mar 30
Objective: Finalize Position Papers
Required readings and/or tasks:
Final Position Paper Due
23
Mar 06
Objective: Resolution writing and caucusing
Required readings and/or tasks:
Simulations
24
Apr TBA
Objective: Resolution writing and caucusing
Required readings and/or tasks:
Resolution writing workshop
Simulations
25
Apr 13
Objective: Final Barcelona Meeting
Required readings and/or tasks:
Full Simulation
26
Apr 15
Objective: Depart for New York City
Required readings and/or tasks:
Get to airport prepared and on time!
The course will consist of a mixture of lectures, videos, extensive readings and class discussions, presentations by the students on committees and simulations. Students will research and write positions papers for assigned committees. A limited number of students will be selected to be delegates in New York city based on grades, attitudes and commitment. If you are selected and wish to travel to New York you will have to contribute 500 Euros toward your travel expenses.
The lectures will be analysis and expansion of the required readings. To understand these concepts, it is essential that required readings be completed on time. Participative attendance is a mandatory.
There are three requirements to pass this course:
(1) To be prepared to participate in class discussions on assigned readings. Quality participation accounts for 50% of your final grade. This includes turning in any assigned research projects in a timely manner.
(2) To pass the scheduled midterm exam. This exam accounts for the 25% of your final grade.
(3) To pass the final exam scheduled to take place at the end of the semester. This exam accounts for the 25% of your final grade.
BASIC REFERENCE
NMUN Delegate Preparation Handbook
A. LeRoy Bennett, and J.K. Oliver,. International Organizations. 7nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2002.
John,Baylis, S. Smith and P. Owens. The Globalization of World Politics. 4nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2008.
Those are defined in each case depending on specific interests.