Winthrop
University
PLSC 260: Model United Nations
Dr. Jennifer
Leigh Disney
Spring 2004
MY OFFICE INFORMATION: 327 Bancroft, 323-4668, disneyj@winthrop.edu
MODEL UN OFFICE INFORMATION: 323-2133(UN Secretary)
or 323-2253
OFFICE HOURS: Mon: 1:00-3:00, Wed. 1:00-3:00 and by
appointment
Monday Section, 211 Kinard, 3:30-4:45 Monday
Wednesday Section, 211 Kinard, 3:30-4:45 Wednesday
Combined Night Section, 018 Kinard, 6:30-8:15
Tuesday night
Note: class is limited to 65 total for both sections
due to space considerations.
Course Objectives: This course is designed with the hope that:
1. Through a better understanding of this
significant international organization, the
students will gain a clearer insight
into the problems of the world.
2. Through the preparation for the
participation in this unique simulation, Model UN XXVIII, the
students will develop insights into
the working of the world diplomatic community and into
international debate by linking key
global issues to their particular country’s perspective.
3. Through work with high
school participants, the students will sharpen their instructional,
communicative, and leadership skills.
4. By speaking in both formal and
informal settings, students will be prepared for those situations
in their future where oral
communication is required. This course
is Oral-Intensive and
contains formal speeches in both
day and evening sessions.
Afternoon sessions: The afternoon discussion sections are designed to give insight
into your nation's or region's behavior as well how other nations view the
world in the context of the UN. The
sections will be smaller so that you will ask or answer questions, enter into
discussions, and practice speaking for the first time in a smaller group. EVERYONE
WILL ENGAGE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING IN THIS CLASS. Those who are always silent
should be prepared to be called upon by me!
Evening sessions: The combined evening sections are initially designed to give you
an understanding of the history and structure of the UN, as well as to explore
how it functions as part of the international system. We will subsequently use
this time to debate and discuss as much as possible, as practice is everything
in this course. Remember that attendance
is super important during all these sessions, which are akin to a play
rehearsal or an athletic practice. You had better let your boss/significant
other/children/coach know about the commitment involved. Because we finish over one month early, with
no final exam, your daily participation and attendance is mandatory (and a big
part of your grade!) For example, coming late and leaving early will be counted
as an absence without permission. As
this course is a non-traditional one, we must take it seriously while having a
good time.
Country Assignment: Each student will be
assigned a nation and will prepare to guide that nation's delegation to our Model U.N. XXVIII. Nation interviews will be held in the first
two weeks of classes. Remember that
small countries often speak as often as large ones in the real United Nations,
so everyone will have a chance to participate as long as they are motivated to
do so. At our conference, Wednesday, March 24- Friday, March 26, 2004,
you will help guide a high school delegation that has also been studying your
country. It is in your interest to informed and ready to help your delegation.
Required Texts:
John L. Allen, Student
Atlas of World Politics by Dushkin/McGraw Hill, Fifth Edition
Linda S. Adams
and Janet Adamski, Model United Nations Student Preparation Guide
Gregory M.
Scott, Randall J. Jones, Jr., Louis S. Furmanski, eds. 21Debated Issues in
World Politics
ARTICLE ON UN
HISTORY/STRUCTURE – Dacus Library online
course reserve
You will also be required to subscribe to a daily
newspaper or watch a major network television news program (PBS, ABC/NBC/CBS,
MSNBC, FOX, NOW with Bill Moyer, BBC WORLD NEWS, etc.) PLUS CNN EVERYDAY. In
many ways, this course combines public speaking with current events. As a
result, you MUST be aware of daily international events of political, economic
and socio-cultural significance so that you can speak to them in class. We will
have quizzes, discussions and speeches every class that connect current events
to your country to ensure that you keep on top of what is going in the world.
We will
carefully use the Internet to research our countries and the issues that face
them. Be sure to set up a Winthrop
student account so I can keep in touch with you! I frequently send reminders and other info through this service.
Grading
10% Test on UN
Structure and Function
10% Test on
Regional Issues
10% Rules
Test
10% Map Test
20% Briefing
Folders on Nation
20% Performance
in class: this includes the mandatory TWO meetings in my
office
(interview/checkup)
20% Conference
leadership and debate (if you do a super job we will let this
count more)
Absence
Policy: Any student missing more than 3 classes will
receive a letter grade lower for the course.
Leaving in the middle of the evening class is considered a cut. Tell
your boss that you will make up for lost time in April. Remember to clear the
full conference week of March with your other classes by saving your absences
in those classes since you will be required to attend several extra sessions
that week and will have to miss any classes that occur Wednesday, March 24 -
Friday, March 26.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:
Week One-this schedule is open to
change!
Jan. 14-Intro to Course for WED
Section. Sign up for interview times
next week in my office
for countries, CSM signup, and bio
cards.
Week Two-Martin Luther King Day is Monday Jan 19th-no classes
Jan. 20-Intro to
Course for MON Section. First combined class: Model UN videos and lecture on UN
structure. ARTICLE ON UN HISTORY/STRUCTURE;
Read p. 1-32 in Model UN Guide. Possible Mock Debate by Secretariat. WED
section will arrive at 7:00pm. Secretariat Assistance
January 20-23: Mandatory Interviews
held in MY OFFICE for nation roles. Check office
hours above in addition to other
hours: there will be signup sheets on my door.
No class for WED section on Wednesday, Jan 21st
Week Three
January 26 and 28: Discussion of current world events in section, Issues
Debated, Issues #1, 2, 3. Review of speechmaking and preparation methods.
Read 51-63 in Model UN Guide. Maps to review: 1,9,12,13,23,24,25,26
January 27
(evening): lecture on the Security Council and contemporary UN concerns, Read
33-42 in Model UN Guide. Receive country assignments if possible, Secretariat
Mock Debate if not available the previous week.
Week Four
Feb.2 and 4th - Issues Debated, Issues # 9, 12, 15, 17. Be
prepared to give short (one minute) convincing speech linking one of the
important issues and your nation.
Use relevant Internet sites to help
you prepare. Maps to review: 27,37,42,52,55
Feb. 3- Test on UN structure
and function. Model UN rules of procedure explained.
Consult Chapter Four in the Model UN
Guide.
Week Five
February 9 and 11-Regional Issues:
The Middle East. Issues Debated, Issues # 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
Bring in printed articles for
collection to discuss about this part of the world. Use bibliography
in Guide for sources as well. Maps
for review: 17,20,38,49,53,56
Feb. 10-Review of conference
structure and your responsibilities. More review on rules
of procedure. Secretariat Advice
Week Six
Feb. 16,
18-Regional Issues: Russia and Europe
Maps for review: 8,14,15,16,30,36,43,48,68 Issues Debated, Issues #
16
Feb. 17-Practice
one minute speeches on Russian, European, or Middle Eastern issues connected to
your country. Review handout/email
materials on speechmaking to prepare.
Week Seven
Feb. 23, 25-Regional Issues: Africa.
Discussion of Issues Debated, Issues # 21 and
Internet
material. We may do a debate rather than discussion here. Secretariat
Assistance
Maps to review:
2,18,33,41,47,59,60,72
Feb. 24-Rules Test. We will
then either finish speeches from previous week or try out debate
for the first time! Secretariat
Assistance
Week Eight
Briefing
folders due by March 1st!
Keep a copy for yourself for
use at the conference. Folder must not be cut and paste-your words.
March 1,
3-Regional Issues: The Americas. Issues Debated, Issues # 17, 18
Practice debate
on relevant resolution.
Secretariat
Assistance
Maps to review: 6,21,31,46,61,62,64,66
March 2-First official debate on a
resolution. All delegates must submit a
typed one page
position paper after class ends.
This will be SOP for each debate. Discussion of resolution
for conference. Secretariat Assistance
Week Nine
March 8,10:
Regional Issues: Asia. Issues Debated, Issues # 19 Discussion of
articles and Internet articles on this area. Maps to review:
7,19,22,39,40,58,70
Practice debate on relevant
resolution Secretariat Assistance
March 9: Regions Test.
Resolution debate on issues relevant to area.
Secretariat Assistance.
Week Ten
Spring Break-March 15-19. Consider debating at the beach! At least watch CNN after
your terminal sunburn in the hotel
room!
Week Eleven-Here we go!
March 22, 23-Evening Debate
Practice in Tillman Auditorium: it is mandatory to come to at
least one of these and attendance at
both preferred. No afternoon sections.
Secretariat Assistance
March 24-26: Winthrop University Model
United Nations XXVIII!
A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
The best way to get a good grade is
to TRY to participate. Those people who
consistently sit in the back and never speak should not expect to do well.
You may receive additional credit
for handing in a detailed resolution before spring break. Another suggestion is a book review from the
Guide bibliography.
The more and the EARLIER contact you
have with your high school delegation the better: I will take into account your
high school teacher’s recommendation in determining your grade.
For the conference week, we will
cancel Monday afternoon class and practice Monday and Tuesday evening from
6:30-8:30. Make sure you make at least one practice-absolutely mandatory.
You need to stay until five pm on
the last day of the conference. It is
ok to leave the conference on Thursday or Friday to take a test but otherwise
you need to be here at all times. I
hope for your sake you have saved your absences in those classes where the
professors are strict about your attendance.
Wednesday from two to eleven at night you have to be here.
Remember that you are representing
Winthrop to many high schools around three states: I need you to be at your
best for the conference.
You need to start your briefing
folder as soon as possible to help you be aware of your country’s position in
world affairs.
You need to do a good job on those
issues and areas that mean a lot to your nation, even if you have to take
educated guesses on others. Example:
South Africa had better know something about colonialism in Africa if not Basque
terrorism in Spain.
Be very sure to see me twice during
office hours before the conference: once to be interviewed and have your
picture taken and second to check your progress on the briefing folder and
other issues.
Never delete a Model UN email or
lose a handout!