POLS 200 COURSE SYLLABUS 

Johnson County Community College
Dr. Wright’s Course Syllabus
POLS 200 Model United Nations
Course meets Monday’s and Wednesday face to face 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Colab OCB 100.

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Brian Wright, Phone:  469-8500 ext. 4266 (college voicemail), bwright1@jccc.edu
Office:  GEB 311 Office Hours:  by appointment.

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

Required:
MMUN St. Louis representing Gabon and South Africa
Delegation guide: https://mmun.org/delegate-resources/ 

 Committee background guides: https://mmun.org/delegate-resources/committee-materials/

Course Description:

This course is designed for students who are interested in learning and understanding leadership development. The focus is on 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.

Highly recommended that you are vaccinated against covid and Flu for travel. 

Leadership Expectations:

1. Class members will be expected to lead by example.
2. Class members will be responsible for planning and setting organizing goals
3. Facilitate training of Model UN skills
4. Facilitate team learning, prioritize collaboration and partnership
5. Provide team building, recruiting and selecting team members

Classroom Behavior:  on campus.

Students are to treat the classroom and, team members, 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, eating, goofing off, arriving late or leaving early, inappropriate behavior, shouting, disrespect directed at another student or instructor, aggressive or violent behavior. Such conduct can result in immediate dismissal from class and other disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the Dean. Cell phones and electronic recording devices must be turned off during class and all hats must be removed during class and exams. Uses of laptops in the classroom are by permission of Dr. Wright and strictly at his discretion.

Class/Travel Conduct: In keeping with  JCCC Student Code of Conduct.
Please refrain from any mention of alcohol at class meetings. 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. Students are expected to conduct yourselves, at all times, in a manner befitting JCCC. This means that every courtesy, both in speaking and behavior, is to be extended to all representatives, colleagues, students, faculty, hotel guests, committee chairs and conference staff. The professor reserves the right to exclude from participation in travel and removal from the course those who violate the above policies.

***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 an 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.***

Attendance, Makeups, and Late policy: Attendance is will be taken
Please do not miss any course meetings. Missing course meetings can disqualify a student from attending a conference or removal from the team. All written work needs to be turn in by due dates.
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.  The professor reserves the right to exclude from participation in travel and removal from the course  those students missing team meeting,  roll call, not completing assignments, and/or missing committee session. Missing will result in a failing grade, removal from course and disqualification from future UN team events.

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. Examine what one can learn by studying leaders and leadership
9. Participate as delegates at Model United Nations Conferences (Mid-West Model UN and National Model United Nations).
10. Participate in planning and directing the Metro Kansas City Model United Nations Conference for area high schools hosted by JCCC.

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 and team 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. The professor reserves the right to exclude from participation in travel plus removal from the course those students missing team meeting, roll call, and/or missing committee session.  Missing will result in a failing grade and disqualification from future UN team events.

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 and team members.

All written assignments are expected to be completed by due date. Assignments submitted after the due date is at the discretion of the professor .

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 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 signed up on Slack
   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:

Binder for MMUN	200
Paper MMUN St. Louis paper	200
2 Speeches	50
Ideas for Resolutions MMUN	100
MMUN –	200
NMUN
MKCMUN	200
Exam (Online due by Jan 26)	50
	Extra

6. Conference Attendance & Participation:

   Work with Lee Summit academy

MMUN St. Louis will take place February 21-24, 2024 – JCCC ModelUN will be representing Gabon (SC North), SC South, and South Africa.
JCCC Metro Kansas City Model United Nations conference April 3, 2024
trip to Konza Prairie

7. Promotional events attendance & Participation: You will be asked to participate with food pantry.
8. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Plagiarism and Cheating are serious academic offenses that are 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. No using AI or Chat gpt.

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 – position paper is the keystone to effective Model UN team preparation, in addition binder, and policy matrix/resolution development.  Position Paper is a public statement of a delegation’s position on the topics under consideration in a particular committee. Paper need to be turned in by due dates and will be edited and merged by the JCCC ModelUN team. The consequences for not turning papers in by due dates is at the discretion of the professor and can include but not limited to failure on the assignment, to  dismissal from team, etc.  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 to both the class and Dr. Wright, 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). Papers are then edited, merged and submitted to the conference by the JCCC ModelUN team.  Papers are need to be developed along with research binders.

Position Paper evaluation criteria and expectations:	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
(1)  A clear statement of your country’s position on each topic and an indication of why your country takes this position in the context of what it has already done in relation to the topic
(2) Overall assessment of paper. Paper is well researched, organized, presented and answered the main issues. It provides the reader with clear understandings and explanation of policies.
(3) Include sufficient detail and elaboration.
(4) Suggestions for a plan of action in addressing the issue.
(5) Employ correct grammar and usage. Also use correct mechanics (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, paragraph form). Make sure that the paper makes logical sense and flows well by providing transition sentences.

• Research Notebook – (we recommend  both a handheld plus computer) You will be required to assemble all of your research 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 binder/computer folder is so that you have important resources at your fingertips for position paper development plus useful at 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?

Notebook evaluation criteria and expectations:	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
(1) Organization of Materials
(2) Descriptive analysis of your country assignment.
(3) Committee background
(4) Topic summary
(5) Diplomatic strategy: 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?
(6) Overall assessment of notebook.

• 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. The professor reserves the right to exclude from participation in travel and removal from the course  those students missing team meeting,  roll call, and/or missing committee.  Missing will result in a failing grade and disqualification from future UN team events.

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.

MEETING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (Tentative)  

Date	Event
Dec.   Jan.
Jan 17	Class Introduction Assignment: introduce yourself both face to face and online due Jan. 17. Also assignment “What is Model United Nations?” due online Jan. 18Objective – Learn about the global aspects of issues we will be addressing including past UN actions to deal with the issue Objectives and policies for Research requirements for MMUN St. Louis and draft paper assignment Organizing new team members for  St. Louis and New York Leadership Assignment: Please help each other and encourage your success. Look over UN News cite http://www.un.org/News
Jan 22 & 24	1) Jan. 26 Exam due on the United Nations and concepts used in diplomatic relations (see review for exam)   Objective – Understanding basic concepts used in international relations, Model United Nations and diplomatic negotiations. 2) Work on MMUN Draft Position Papers are Due Jan 31 (1 page for both topics) – Bring position paper of your topic areas to meeting** Be ready to post and discuss your issues in class. MMUN please post full draft papers to canvas. Must email final papers to Dr. Wright bwright1@jccc.edu and the ModelUN team
Jan 29 & Jan 31	1) St. Louis: MMUN Position Papers are Draft paper due Jan. 31 final Due Feb 7: Need to be edited before being turned into conference (do not turn in paper as PDF as it needs to be edited.) All final papers are team papers are team papers and can be edited, changed, and merged before being turned into the conference.  Post to Canvas plus must email final papers to Dr. Wright bwright1@jccc.edu and ModelUN team.  Complete travel training requirements by 1/30 and MMUN research binder due Feb. 2
Feb 5 & 7	1) MMUN final draft due 2/7 Practice for MMUN Rules and Strategy for MMUN St. Louis – Objective – Learn NMUN procedural rules and how to effectively apply the rules. Practice simulation – Participate in a practice simulation on an issue to be determine
Feb. 12 & 14	Must email final papers to Dr. Wright bwright1@jccc.edu and ModelUN team via Slack. All final papers are team papers and can be edited, changed, and merged. The Focus of class will be on preparing for  MKCMUN
Feb. 19 and conf. 20-24	Mid-West Model UN St. Louis JCCC  Policy Matrix due Feb. 19, Speech MMUN due 2/19 Speech- Knowing your country at the United Nations Objective – Explain your countries policies and objectives and its customary role in the world and the United Nations -Assignment 2) MMUN Speech  – Describe the major policy objectives on each issue area. Preparing speeches For conference will be leaving via van in front of the Student Center. If parking car on campus will need contact phone number, plate, make, model and color.
Feb. 28	Discuss Mid-West –
	Rules training & practice simulations and MKCMUN NMUN practice Speech 1 on one NMUN Topic due Bring a copy of your NMUN speech along with objectives for Resolutions to class
March 4 & 6	Chair training and preparing for MKCMUN
March 11  & 17	Spring Break
March 18 and 20	Chair training and preparing for MKCMUN Chair training and preparing for MKCMUN
March 22 to 29	Preparing for Metro Kansas City ModelUN
April 1	Prepare for the Metro Kansas City Model UN at Carlsen Center
April 3	Metro Kansas City Model UN at Carlsen Center & JCCC 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
	Konza prairie (tentative)
April 22 & 25	NMUN and MKCMUN evaluation Officer Elections for
May 4	Konza prairie (tentative)