Unit 9: Teaching Model United Nations

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Model United Nations is offered as a class every semester at Pace University’s New York City Campus, by the Political Science department in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. The class, which is open to people of all disciplines and backgrounds, introduces students to aspects of international relations, particularly global institutions, through preparation for and participation in a simulated Model UN conference. The class teaches a variety of policymaking skills, including research, public speaking, diplomatic practice, team-work, negotiating within formal rules of procedure, influencing others and drafting resolutions. It also offers an inside look at the UN system, international politics and the foreign policy of the country students represent in the simulation.

The class is taught through a unique mix of simulation, lectures, joint research and group activities by the Faculty Advisor in collaboration with student Head Delegates, who play the role of co-facilitators, mentoring and leading their classmates. As 300-level classes, the Model UN courses are time-intensive and demanding, requiring active and rigorous participation. Assessment is based on participation in the conference and class sessions, in-class quizzes, a position paper written jointly by a small team and a final reflection paper.

The best resources on teaching a Model United Nations class are available from the UNA-USA Global Classrooms website. Best Delegate also has a resources page for faculty, advisors and parents.

Pace University New York City’s Model UN program has compiled a selected bibliography of books and articles about Model UN, which provide many helpful perspectives on teaching.

For a sample syllabus (Pace NYC internal only — password protected), click here.

(c) Pace University, 2013. Version 3.0 BETA. For information, permissions or corrections, contact Dr. Matthew Bolton, mbolton@pace.edu