Johnson County Community College
Dr. Wright’s Course Syllabus Spring 2010
POLS 200 Model United Nations
Course meets Wednesday 6:00-8:45 p.m. GEB 213
Additional $225.00 covers travel cost to both St. Louis and New York City

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Brian Wright,  Phone:  469-8500 ext. 4266 (college voicemail), Office:  OCB 257D
Office Hours:  by appointment.

Web-site: http://staff.jccc.net/bwright1/UNcourse.htm  (This site provides class materials, study guides)
JCCC Model United Nations webpage www.jccc.edu/un

 Required

 Course Materials available on the web: To download assigned materials, go to the Micro-Computer Lab, click  http://staff.jccc.net/bwright1/UNcourse.htm link select the course section you need, and print hard copy of that section materials.  .

Optional Materials:

Jean Krasno, The United Nations: Confronting the Challenges of a Global Society, Lynne Rienner 2004

Lawrence Ziring, Robert Riggs and Jack Plano. The United Nations: International Organization and World Politics 4th Edition. Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005.

Course Description:

This course is designed for students who are interested in learning and understanding international organizations and participating in competitive intercollegiate Model United Nations. This course orients students with the history, structure, and function of the United Nations and those facets of an assigned country.  This orientation will assist students in their preparation for Model United Nations (MUN) conference during the spring semester.

Note that participation in Model UN conferences is serious business. Because it is serious business excellent research, college level writing, public speaking skills, Internet navigation and use of e-mail are required.

Model United Nations is very competitive. Consequently, students whom have previously participated in Model UN are expected to play an important leadership role. As this course progresses, simulations will be increasingly run by students.

Please note that course requirements will differ for those students who cannot or do not qualify for travel with the JCCC Model UN team.

Classroom Behavior: Students are to treat the classroom and each other with respect. Students shall not behave in a manner that is disruptive to the learning environment or infringes on the rights and safety of other class members. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, talking during lectures or debate, getting up to leave the room during class, sleeping, goofing off, arriving late or leaving early, inappropriate behavior, shouting, disrespect directed at another student or instructor, aggressive or violent behavior. Such conduct may result in immediate dismissal from class and other disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the Dean. Please cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class and all hats must be removed during class.

Class/Travel Conduct: In keeping with  JCCC Student Code of Conduct.
Please refrain from any mention of alcohol at class meetings. Also note that we are required by law to enforce the school’s alcohol and drug policy regarding the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol. We are required to refer violations to appropriate authorities . In short, there will be neither underage drinking nor abusing alcohol on our trips to conferences.

***Please note that conference attendance is a privilege granted by JCCC. Travel and participation at conferences is contingent on showing good preparations for the conferences. Failure to adhere to course and JCCC guidelines may also result in non-participation in the conferences. In addition, the professor reserves the right to exclude from participation in travel  those students whom have not performed well on class requirements. You must have a overall JCCC 2.50 GPA. Subjective evaluations related to your enthusiasm, leadership skills, and ability to work with others will also be considered and may be more important. In addition, if the professor (Dr. Wright) even suspects that you will cause behavioral problems you will not be traveling with JCCC Model UN.***

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that is to be avoided at all costs. A student who plagiarizes on an exam or other assignments will receive a grade of "F" for the assignment. Students who plagiarize will be recommended to the Dean for disciplinary action.

LEARNING ACCOMMODATIONS: If you are a student with a disability that will require accommodation, it is your responsibility to contact Student Access (Student Center, 469-3808) at the beginning of the semester. Student Access will recommend any appropriate accommodation to both your professor and the Academic Director. The professor and Director will identify for you what accommodation will be arranged.

Attendance, Makeups, and Late policy: Attendance is will be taken
Please do not miss any course meetings.
When you travel attendance at conferences is mandatory. You must be on-time and in good working condition for every committee session. On-time is defined as being at morning team meetings and at your placard and ready to work when your country is called during the roll call.  Missing team meeting or roll call once will result in a one-letter deduction from your final grade.  Missing a second time will result in a failing grade and disqualification from future UN team events. Missing a committee session will result in a failing course grade and you will be referred to JCCC judicial board.

 Course Objectives:

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1.        Define the basic concepts used in international relations and diplomatic negotiations.

2.        Identify and explain international organization and international cooperation as it is applied to the United Nations.

3.        Define and explain parliamentary procedure as practiced by the United Nations.

4.        Demonstrate effective research, writing, public speaking and leadership skills.

5.        Describe the foreign policy of a selected member state.

6.        Explain policy statements on given topics under discussion at the "real" United Nations.

7.        Discuss and debate international issues.

8.        Participate as delegates at Model United Nations Conferences (Mid-West Model UN and National Model United Nations).

9.        Participate in planning and directing the Metro Kansas City Model United Nations Conference for area high schools hosted by JCCC.

10. Develop Effective Team leadership.

COURSE Requirements:
Psychological research has demonstrated that learning is a cumulative process that takes place over time. It requires your active participation in class and daily preparation outside of class. To encourage your out-of-class preparation, in-class activities, many of which are group exercises, are scheduled on a regular basis.  Because your participation in these activities is evaluated, your daily attendance is required.  

Please note that course requirements may occasionally differ for some students because of those who cannot or do not qualify for travel.

1.  Attendance and participation: Unless you have a real legitimate excuse, you need to be at every class and meeting.   When you travel then attendance at conferences is mandatory. You must be on-time and in good working condition for every committee session. On-time is defined as being at morning team meetings and at your placard and ready to work when your country is called during the roll call. Missing team meeting or roll call once will result in a one-letter deduction from your final grade.  Missing a second time will result in a failing grade and disqualification from future UN team events. Missing a committee session will result in a failing course grade and you will be referred to JCCC judicial board.

Participation:  You are expected to be an active participant in the class. This includes regular attendance and thoughtful discussion within the context of the instructor's presentation of a topic. It also is based on your cooperation with the other members of your project group.

 2.  Current events – Model United Nations address current world problems and it is essential that you keep abreast of international events.  As a minimum, you should read a daily newspaper (national newspapers such as The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and The Washington Post have the most complete political news and views).  Television news is another important source of international news but is not a good substitute for reading a paper.  Programs such as The News Hour (PBS, channel 19  6-7 p.m.) examine major issues more thoroughly and evenly balanced than do network news programs.   National Public Radio also has excellent news programs (89.3 FM).  Finally, weekly news magazines such as U.S. News and World Report or The Economist (especially good for international news) provide in-depth coverage of major international issues and events.  Finally, you can get an enormous amount of top-notch news coverage over the internet.  All major newspapers, both domestic and foreign, have internet sites (United Nations News http://www.un.org/News ).  If you don’t have internet access available at home, you can use any of the many college internet resources such as the library or the computer lab.

 3.  Website – The course website http://staff.jccc.net/bwright1/UNcourse.htm along with is the UN Team website at www.jccc.edu/un   contains links to issue backgrounds and to many important internet research sites as well as our meeting and preparation schedule and other essential planning information.  You should use this site extensively and review it prior to every class meeting. There are also excellent materials and videos at the team YouTube page www.youtube.com/jcccmun

 4.  Email – All class members will be included on the UN Team listserv unclub@list.jccc.edu  
Email will be the primary means of communication and we expect all members to check their email frequently and to response quickly to any email requests.

 5.  Grades based on 1000 possible grade points- Your course/term project grade will be determined as follows:           

6. Conference Attendance & Participation:

Attendance and participation as at the Mid-West Model UN St. Louis February ..Feb. 16-20, 2010.

Attendance and participation at the National Model UN Conference in New York City  NMUN March 26 April 2, 2010.

 Student will participate in a leadership role (chairs) at the Metro Kansas City Model UN conference Wednesday April 22, 2010.

Please note that there is an addition $225.00 covers travel cost to both MMUN St. Louis and NMUN New York City. This fee is due the last week in January. In addition to the $225 you are responsible to cover the cost of your own food.
Be aware that for JCCC the actual cost of the MMUN is $450 and NMUN is $1320 per student.

7. Fundraising attendance & Participation: You will be asked to participated in fundraiser Scholarship Benefit Friday, April 23, 2010.

Description of major grading elements:

·        Oral or speaking requirements – Effective informal and formal speaking is essential to effective diplomacy.  Preparation speeches are required. This is to prepare members to make short, concise speeches within the limited time usually set within Model UN committees.  In addition, informal speaking (i.e., caucusing) is most important component at Model UN, often taking up as much as 50-75% of the time in any given simulation. It is essential that you learn to work quickly and effectively with other delegations to find the best possible results in committee.

 ·        Written requirements – Two position papers are the keystone to effective Model UN preparation.  You cannot accurately portray your country if you don’t know how the country argues about the issues.  Position papers also provide the basic building block for developing recommended resolutions for UN action to address the issues.  All papers must be submitted in the proper format, on or before the required date and in both hard copy and electronic format (either on a clearly labeled disk or as an email attachment).  Your position paper will account for 30% of your overall grade.

·        Research Notebook – (we recommend a three inch D ring binder) You will be required to assemble all of your conference background material into a notebook that will provide a ready reference during the conference. If you own a laptop you are welcome to organize notebook materials with the computer.
The purpose of notebook is so that you have important resources at your fingertips at the conference. In addition, it can be used as a reference for other delegations or to prove your points. Also the notebook is a graphic display of the research that you have done. Binder is to have the following sections:
1) Descriptive analysis of your country assignment.
This should include basic social, economic and governmental facts and characteristics of your country.
2) Committee background:
This should reference UN sources. You should demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of the committee. You should demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of the committee. You should demonstrate familiarity with the impact of the committee on world affairs and more specifically the impact and role of your country in the work of the committee. You should demonstrate familiarity with key decisions, resolutions and actions adopted by or taken by the committee, and country-specific information on the topic (speeches etc.).
3) Topic summary:
This should reference the broader academic literature on the topics your committee intends to address. You should demonstrate an understanding of alternative views on the issues your committee intends to address. This should not simply be a recitation of the topic summaries in the committee guide. You should search the citations in the committee guide for additional information.
You must demonstrate that you have read the citations outlined in the committee guide. You can put each article in your binder. You can also summarize key points derived from each reading. These summaries, or their equivalent, should be included in your binder. The more you write, the more convinced I am that you have done the work.
4) You should articulate in writing your diplomatic strategy for the simulation. What order of agenda items and logic? Why? With which countries do you intend to caucus? Which states are problems/allies? Which issues do you not want the committee to focus upon? What are you going to do if your preferred agenda topic is not chosen?

·        Conference Performance – Your performance at the Model UN conference is the culmination of all of your preparation.  Good preparation will increase your confidence and effectiveness.  Throughout the conference you will be rated on the following:

o       Punctuality and attendance – You must be on-time and in good working condition for every committee session. On-time is defined as being at morning team meeting and at your placard and ready to work when your country is called during the roll call.  Missing the roll call once will result in a one-letter deduction from your final grade.  Missing a second time will result in a failing grade and disqualification from future UN team events. Missing conference will not only result in a failing grade but you will be referred to JCCC judicial board for expulsion from JCCC.

o       Dress – You are expected to be appropriately dressed at all conference sessions.

o       In Character – You are expected to act in-character during the sessions, working with those countries with whom your country would normally be expected to ally.

o       Diplomatic courtesy – Remember you are a diplomat and you must exhibit proper diplomatic courtesy at all times (this means relations with your teammates as well as your performance in-committee).  Effective diplomats are polite and courteous to all other representatives, even those of countries with whom they disagree.

o       Speaking – You are expected to make substantive speeches.

o       Caucusing – Effective caucusing is paramount to effective diplomacy.  You will be expected to work actively in trying to build coalitions, foster compromise and attempt to obtain group consensus on effective recommendations for UN action.

o       Resolutions – You will not be graded on whether or not you get your resolution passed.  Doggedly sticking to your resolution rather than working with others to achieve comprises that serve as many countries needs as possible is counterproductive and may result in lowering your grade.

 Following the conference, each member will be provided a conference performance evaluation to be included in their portfolio submitted for their final grade.

             Spring 2010 MEETING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (Tentative)