MODEL UNITED NATIONS CLUB AND CLASS

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2009

Club and Class Meetings: DU 452

Time of Class and Meetings: Wednesdays, 5:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.

Faculty Advisor and Professor Andrea Radasanu

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursdays, 1-2:30pm; Tuesdays.

Description of Club and Course

The Model United Nations (UN) Club is a student organization, affiliated with the Political Science Department, which provides a forum for students who are interested in international organizations and law, diplomacy, and conflict resolution in the international arena. Each term the Model UN Club fields one or two delegations, representing different countries, to model United Nations conferences that simulate the activities of the UN General Assembly, Security Council and other bodies of the UN. Club members are expected to come to meetings weekly and prepare in earnest to represent NIU at these conferences. In the spring, we also organize a one day mini-conference. This spring we are representing Indonesia at the Midwest Model United Nations Conference in St. Louis from February 28 to 21. All club members who wish to attend the conference must research the relevant issues for their committees and participate in writing position papers.

It is also possible to enroll in the Model UN class. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO ENROLL IN THE CLASS TO BE PART OF THE CLUB AND ATTEND CONFERENCES. The class, like the club, aims at preparing students to participate in conferences. Each term, a student can earn one credit. This year this is accomplished by enrolling in an independent study course through the department. In future, this course will have its own number and be listed in the Political Science Undergraduate Calendar. You will be able to take this course for credit up to three times, which is to say, you can earn three credits over three semesters if you wish.

In our weekly meetings we will look at pertinent world issues, the functioning of the United Nations, the nuts and bolts of preparing for and participating in model UN conferences, and club business, from fundraising to planning social gatherings.

Recommended Texts

Drakulich, Angela, ed. A Global Agenda: Issues before the 60^th General Assembly of the United Nations. New York: UNA-USA, 2005.

Mingst, Karen A., and Margaret P. Karns. The United Nations in the 21^st Century. 3^rd ed. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2007.

These texts are available at the VCB. They are being kept behind the counter of the textbook section. Ask for them by name.

Recommended Reading

Since we went through the core material introducing the UN and Model UN in the fall, we will be concentrating on research and conference preparation during meetings. If you are new and require a crash course in the above, here are the recommended readings. Please do not hesitate to talk to your faculty advisor/instructor about these issues during office hours.

Introducing the UN and MUN (Model UN)

• Mingst & Karns, Chapters 1 & 2
• Anatomy of Model UN

Peace and Security

• Drakulich, Chapter 1
• Mingst & Karns, Chapter 4
• See First Committee info on AMUN site

Economic Development and Sustainability

• Drakulich, Chapter 3
• Mingst & Karns, Chapter 5

Human Rights

• Drakulich, Chapter 4
• Mingst & Karns, Chapter 6

Health and Welfare

• Drakulich, Chapter 5
• Mingst & Karns, Chapter 7

Peacekeeping and Other Political Issues

• Drakulich, Chapter 2
• Drakulich, Chapter 7

Course Requirements

This term is divided into two sections. First we will prepare for and attend the Midwest Model United Nations Conference (MMUN) in St. Louis. Upon returning from this conference, we will plan and execute our own mini-conference.

1. MMUN Conference (February 18-21) (75% of total grade; the grade distribution below under MMUN requirements applies to this 75% of total grade).

All delegates to this conference will prepare position papers ON TIME; will prepare adequately for the conference in every way, including putting together an acceptable research binder; and will participate actively in all sessions of the conference for its entirety.

Those students who wish to earn a credit will also satisfactorily complete ALL of the following required assignments:

1. Timely submission of two position papers. These will be two pages each (extended versions of the position papers we are submitting to the AMUN). These will be on the subject of the committee that you will be sitting on, and will demonstrate adequate research (including citation of sources). (10% each)
2. Timely submission of one draft resolution (25%). Formatting must be correct, and the resolution must attempt to do more than repeat existing resolutions. You will hand in all relevant precedents (existing resolutions passed by UN body that are relevant to your topic and country), and a one page (double-spaced) explanation of your own resolution. You will answer the following questions: How does this resolution accord with your country’s current foreign policy? What is new and innovative about your resolution? Who will be your friends and who will be your enemies? How do you plan on convincing skeptical nations to join your resolution?
3. Research Binder (10%). Every delegate must have a research binder with adequate information in order to attend the conference. It ought to include: country information; background guide; UN resolutions; speeches made by our country’s representatives at the UN; newspaper articles; other key documents such as treaties, protocols, agreements. In this last case, try to include relevant excerpts from these documents. Your binder will be evaluated prior to leaving for the conference.
4. Timely summary of MUN conference experience. This assignment should be approximately two pages long. (20%) This assignment is meant to summarize your experience in your sessions. What did your learn? What did you try to achieve? What were the roadblocks? The successes? What kind of diplomacy did you practice? How would you do things differently at a future conference?
5. Participation – weekly attendance and participation at AMUN (25%). Please note that this means you must do the readings assigned (if any), prepare research, and participate actively in class. Furthermore, failure to participate diligently at the conference and to represent NIU with dignity and respect can result in a failing participation grade. “Diligent” participation means you will be present at every session. There are many ways in which you might misrepresent NIU: rude behavior to your fellow delegates, from NIU and from other schools; and drunken behavior, particularly during the working hours of the conference are high on the list. I mean it: if you behave in this manner or treat the conference as a bawdy March Break holiday, I won’t hesitate to give you a failing grade on participation. In extreme circumstances, consequences may be graver.

2. NIU Mini-Conference Participation (25% of total grade; grade distributions below apply to this 25% of your grade.)

1. You will choose a country and participate in the one day mini-conference.
2. You will prepare a research binder on the topic at hand (10%).
3. You will prepare a one-page position paper (15%). Other than the length, it ought to follow the guideline laid out above under the position paper requirement for MMUN.
4. You will attend all club sessions in preparation for this conference (25%).
5. Day of active participation (50%).

Schedule

February 4	Position Papers for MMUN
February 11	Draft Resolution for MMUN
February 11	Binder Check for MMUN
February 18 to 21, St. Louis	MMUN
February 25	Summary of MMUN
March 11	Binder Check & Position Paper for Mini-Conference
March 21	Mini-Conference

Club Requirements

In order to represent NIU at model UN conferences, you must display mature behavior, a commitment to researching the country and issues for which you are responsible, and to help draft position papers (IN A TIMELY FASHION) with your fellow committee member(s). You must prepare an adequate research binder for use at the conference (see this item under course requirements; your are the same, except you won’t be graded). You must also be available for the ENTIRE time that the conference is one; only very exceptional circumstances will excuse this requirement.

Lateness Policy

• Position papers will not be accepted late, and neither will research binders. No excuses.
• Other written assignments are accepted late under the following conditions. For each day of lateness, there is a 10% deduction from the assigned grade. After three days of lateness, assignments will not be accepted.