Model United Nations Simulations 22-23 (2225.YR.015285.2)

General information

Type:	OPT	Curs:	1	Period:	S semester
ECTS Credits:	3 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Year 1	Aleksandra Semeriak Gavrilenok	Sociedad, Política y Sostenibilidad	ENG

None

Students are expected to have a general knowledge of politics, international relations and history, as well as be familiar with the structure of the state and its division of powers. They are also expected to monitor the news, especially international news. A basic knowledge of Public International Law may also be helpful, though it is not compulsory.

3 ECTS = 75 hours of student workload

In-class sessions: 50%
Independent study and assignments: 50%

MUN helps students to develop their public-speaking, writing and research skills. In addition, it provides them an entry point into international affairs, foreign policy and the art of diplomacy. In particular, it introduces students to the functioning of the UN system and related topics included in the agendas of the UN and other multilateral organisations, such as peace and security, human rights, use of force, sustainable development, international economics, refugees & IDPs or democracy and the rule of law.
In addition, the module seeks to incorporate core disciplinary and vocational skills, identifying three key areas of student involvement in simulation-based learning: (a) research and preparation, (b) participation and public-speaking, and (c) negotiation and diplomatic strategies.

- Understanding the UN system and related multilateral organisations
- Understanding how diplomacy works in practice: the role of governments, the inclusion and development of topics in the international agenda, (foreign) policymaking and decision-making
- Learning how MUN rules and debates work in order to enable students to attend MUN conferences

1. The UN system and Diplomacy 1. Current dynamics in global affairs: actors and conflicts 2. The UN: history and current structure 3. Diplomacy, foreign policy and agenda setting

2. MUN Debate 1. General concept and types 2. Phases 3. Procedural rules of Procedure 4. Skills: diplomatic language and public speaking, researching, writing skills and citation & referencing

In-class sessions (2 hours each):
- Lectures: presentation of the subject's basic concepts along with case studies
- MUN debate

Outside class: Independent study and teamwork

This subject comprises both formative and formally assessed components. Students will produce documents (including written country profiles, draft resolutions, amendments to resolutions and reports), deliver speeches, debate, negotiate and caucus throughout the semester and will be provided with feedback in both group and one-on-one tutorial sessions (upon demand).

Faculty will adapt the simulation process as the sessions progress to ensure that all students have the opportunity to meet key assessment requirements; in some cases, this will require modifying debates and proceedings.

Students' written work and research skills will be assessed via their position papers and strategy reports in which they will outline their assigned country's foreign policy, position and strategy regarding the agenda issues under debate.

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

- Best Delegate. (2011) How to Win Awards in Model United Nations (ebook)
- Chasek, P., (2005) "Power Politics, Diplomacy and Role Playing: Simulating the UN Security Council's Response to Terrorism." International Studies Perspectives. 6(1). pp. 1-19.
- Cooper, A.; Heine J. & Thakur, R. (2015) The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy. Oxford: OUP.
- Griffiths, M.; O'Callaghan, T. & Roach, S. (2013) International relations: the key concepts (3rd edition). Abingdon: Routledge.
- Hazelton, W. & Jacob, J. (1983) "Simulating International Diplomacy: The National Model United Nations Experience. Teaching Political Science. 10(2).
- Hodgin, G. (2011) Model UN Handbook: A Preparation for MUN Conferences. Allentown: Hamilton Books.
- Karns, M.; Mingst, K. & Stiles, K. (2015) International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance (3rd ed.). Boulder: Lynne Rienner.
- Mickolus, E. (2013). Coaching Winning Model United Nations Teams. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
- Obendorf, S. & Randerson, C. (2013). Evaluating the model United Nations, European Political Science 12 (3). 350-64
- United Nations. (2020) The United Nations Guide to Model UN.
- White, N. (2016) The law of international organisations (3rd ed.) Manchester: Melland Schill Studies in International Law.

Research:
- UN website: https://www.un.org/en/
- BBC country profiles: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm
- CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
- The Economist briefings: https://www.economist.com/topics
- Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org
- UK Foreign Office country profile: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/country-policy-and-information-notes
- United Nations Treaty Collection: https://treaties.un.org

Group	Teacher	Department
Year 1	Aleksandra Semeriak Gavrilenok	Sociedad, Política y Sostenibilidad