INTS 133-01, Model United Nations Simulation of the UN Economic and Social Council, Fall 2009

Abstract

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations and this course is designed to offer students a hands-on approach to learning about the workings of the United Nations. Although parts of some class sessions will be taught in lecture format in order to introduce students to the history, structure, politics, and basic operations of the United Nations, the majority of the class will be conducted in workshop/debate format. The workshop/debate sessions will consist of student debate, role playing, resolution drafting and voting. Students will simulate the actions of the UN Economic and Social Council. Students will be assigned an individual country to represent and will simulate the role of their country’s spokesperson by discussing and debating the particular issue on the agenda. Students will also draft resolutions, caucus with representatives who are role-playing as other countries, and work to solve the problems facing the United Nations. By its very nature, the quality and tone of debate will be dramatically different than in the “real” UN. In the UN, representatives and their consular staffs spend months in preparation, “behind doors” caucusing and interacting with other nations before an issue is brought to vote. A UN representative, or head of state, will almost always make a prepared speech that will not always be “news” to the other representatives present. During the individual class meetings, students will only have a very short time to assume the role of their nation’s representative and simulate the actions of the UN. This forces representatives to verbally react to circumstances as they arise and even change their position when it is reasonable to do so in light of new facts. Representatives should not simply read from their country’s established record on the issue presented; they should be prepared to compromise with the other nations represented and where needed to adapt their policies to meet the current circumstances of the world as simulated. Note that this in no way gives representatives license to act out of character. Representatives should generally research and follow the policies of their country, modifying these as new circumstances dictate. There are no required texts for the course. However, a few texts pertaining to the United Nations have been placed on reserve at the Barret Library if students are interested in reading further about the United Nations. First, The United Nations: Reality and Ideal, 4th ed., by Peter Baehr and Leon Gordenker provides a useful descriptive backdrop for studying the United Nations and is available in the campus bookstore. Second, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton’s Surrender is Not an Option provides a firsthand account of Bolton’s candid insights, successes, frustrations, and critiques of the organization during his service at the U.N. Please see me if you are interested in other supplemental reading materials about the United Nations.