This syllabus was originally used for the Loyola University Chicago delegation’s trip to New York for the National Model United Nations conference. It was developed for a 300-level Model United Nations class, and can be easily adapted to apply to any semester long (approx. 15 week) Model UN class. The faculty members who developed this class were Kendall Stiles and Brian Endless.
Summary.
| Part I: | Basic Information |
| Part II: | Required Books and Materials |
| Part III: | Schedule of Readings, Discussion Topics and Deadlines |
Part I: Basic Information
Course Description
This course is designed to provide an orientation to the activities of the United Nations, as well as providing an understanding of the modalities of international diplomacy. This course will include current events, pressing international issues, the basics of international law and some of the protocol and procedures of diplomacy. All of this will assist students in preparing for their role as a distinguished diplomat at the National Model United Nations conference in New York.
Course Requirements
This course has a heavy emphasis on practical experience and specific tasks. Students are expected to attend each class session, which should be viewed as training workshops which cannot be made up. While in attendance, students must participate actively in class discussion and in various simulations and activities. Students will take a “pre-test” with a required grade of 100% (this can be retaken as often as needed until completed.) Students will also deliver two oral presentations to the class. Additionally, each student will write a “position paper” for submission to the organizers of the Model UN Conference, complete a large binder with background materials and documents, prepare a “fact sheet” for use by other students, and write a debriefing / thought paper at the conclusion of the semester. There will be no final exams, and because each student will be researching different topics, specific readings will be assigned in the first week of classes (after committee assignments are made). Ultimately, the goal of this course is to prepare each student to be comfortable in their role as a student-diplomat and allow each person to distinguish themselves at the Model UN conference.
The grade for each student will be based on the following break-down
| Fact Sheet (due during week II) | 5% |
| UN Knowledge Test (first administered during week I) | 5% |
| Attendance and Participation | 25% |
| International Issue Oral Presentation | 10% |
| Assigned Country Position Oral Presentation | 10% |
| MUN Position Paper (due during week V) | 10% |
| Document Binder (due during week VIII) | 25% |
| Debriefing / Thought Paper (due during week XIV) | 10% |
Part II: Required Books and Materials
Students will need to obtain the following materials at the bookstore
Tessitore, John and Susan Woolfson, A Global Agenda: Issues Before the General Assembly of the United Nations. New York: University Press of America, published annually. [Note: Each year, A Global Agenda attempts to highlight the most current issues facing the General Assembly. Students should be instructed to obtain the most recent edition.]
United Nations Association: A Guide to Delegate Preparation. New York: United Nations Association, published annually.
Students will also be provided with background materials on their individual topics, which are prepared by the National Model UN Conference [substitute materials from other conferences, as applicable].
Some readings may also be required from the United Nations Homepage (www.un.org) and from various web sites dealing with the class’ assigned Member State(s).
In addition to assigned readings, students will be expected to be researching both the assigned Member State and their respective topics throughout the semester. While their are no set deadlines for this research, it will be “tested” periodically through the oral presentations, position paper, and finally the document binder, which should include copies of all relevant research.
Part III: Schedule of Readings, Discussion Topics and Deadlines
[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 semester.]
| Week | Meeting | Topics, Activities and Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1-2 |
Orientation to the Model U.N. and Research Techniques Deadlines |
| 3 |
Begin overview of assigned Member State Deadlines |
|
| II | 4-5 |
Overview of assigned Member State – read assignments from country’s world wide web pages and library reference materials Deadlines |
| III | 5-7 | UN System overview – read assignments from A Guide to Delegate Preparation and the United Nations Homepage |
| IV | 8-10 | Student presentations on international issues – read assignments from A Global Agenda |
| V | 11-13 |
Student presentations on international issues – read assignments from A Global Agenda Deadlines |
| VI | 14-16 |
Complete student presentations on international issues – read assignments from A Global Agenda Begin student presentations on assigned Member State positions on agenda items |
| VII | 17-19 | Student presentations on assigned Member State positions on agenda items |
| VIII | 20-22 |
Complete student presentations on assigned Member State positions on agenda items Resolution writing and caucusing exercises Begin conference diplomacy practice simulations Deadlines |
| variable | 23 | Practice simulation with other schools (optional – recommended if possible) |
| IX | 24-26 | Conference diplomacy practice simulations |
| X |
National Model UN Conference in New York, NY Insert departure, return dates |
|
| XI | 27-28 | Debrief conference participation / learnings |
| XII | 29-31 |
Preparation for on-campus Security Council simulation Insert date for on-campus simulation |
| XIII | 32-34 | The United Nations, International Diplomacy and International Relations Theory |
| XIV | 35-37 |
The United Nations, International Diplomacy and International Relations Theory and Wrap-Up Deadlines |