UCLA International Institute
International Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs:Model United Nations Summer Institute
June 23 - June 29, 2013
Curriculum
This program carries quarter units of UC credit.
Students will be officially enrolled into Glbl St 10.
About the International Institute
The International Institute serves as the focal point for international research and teaching at UCLA. Through its multidisciplinary centers and programs dedicated to the study of world regions and global issues, the Institute fosters learning about and active participation in the contemporary world.
The academic programs offered through the UCLA International Institute focus on the modern and interdisciplinary study of many of the world’s regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East) and important international thematic issues (international development and globalization) facing the world today.
Course Description:
Global Studies 10. International Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs
One-week intensive summer course, including lectures in international relations and outside study. Development of position papers in simulation of United Nations and final presentation in respective UN committees. Particular emphasis on public speaking and cooperative debate.
Syllabus and Schedule
View the schedule
Students in this course will simulate the United Nations through debate of international relations in subsidiary committees. The course begins with an instruction on the rules and procedure of Model United Nations in order to make for effective debate while simultaneously teaching students effective strategies of public speaking and cooperative crisis resolution. Next, students will be examining some of the most pressing international flash points of the day, ranging from the ongoing aftermath of the Arab Spring, the threats of new leadership in North Korea, the dangers of drug wars in Mexico, an ever-increasing planet’s temperature, the fledgling economies of European states, and many more. This examination will take place both through lecture and through interactive and cooperative research initiatives in preparation for the United Nations’ committee simulations. Rather than simply learning facts about international affairs and countries’ foreign policies, students will be required to conduct this research from the perspectives of assigned countries. Then, the bulk of the class will operate within these respective committees, where students will debate the best solutions to these flash points, with the goal of providing security and stability through collaborative resolution writing.
In addition to the substance of modern diplomacy, this course will cover the subject of diplomatic protocol, as well as addressing students’ practical communication skills in writing executive summaries, talking points, diplomatic reports as well as writing and delivering speeches, all of which are vital requirements for an effective diplomat.
Grading Evaluation:
Position Papers - 10%
Debate Participation - 40%
Committee Caucusing - 30%
Resolution Writing - 20%
As the week of the Summer Institute will be equivalent to one full class, attendance each day is crucial and more than 1 day’s absence will result in a grade of NP.
Students are expected to conduct proper research relevant to their committees, participate in the flow of debate and cooperation, as well as arrive to class on time and actively participate in all related exercises of the Summer Institute
Position papers will be a required facet of the beginning of the Summer Institute. After conducting research, students will be required to write a one-page, single-spaced paper PER TOPIC (i.e., if a committee has two topics, two position papers total will be due) outlining student’s country or character’s policy on the topic, a brief summary of the background of the topic, and proposals for future actions related to the topic.
Through this intensive week-long program, students will experience the following:
- MUN Opening Ceremonies: Welcome and keynote speeches
- MUN Logistical Meetings: Overview of logistics/expectations of Summer Institute. Introduction to Summer Institute staff and fellow participants.
- MUN Research Presentation: Training on how to conduct proper research. Discussion of Position Paper.
- MUN Training Sessions: Training on Model United Nations rules and procedures. Review of Sample Resolution. Examination of some of the most pressing international flash points of the day. Lectures and research initiatives in preparation for the United Nations’ committee simulations, concurrent with Background Guides. Presentations on effective public speaking/debate. Effective strategies of public speaking and cooperative crisis resolution. Discussion of proper flow of debate, review of the progression of Model United Nations debate as well as different types of formal and informal debate.
- MUN Committee Sessions: Students will conduct proper research relevant to their committees. Laying out key positions of each member of the committee. General debate toward identifying most pressing international issue. Final of Position Paper due. Continued debate regarding the best solutions to these flash points, with the goal of providing security and stability through collaborative caucusing. Presentation of further substantive debate on best ways to mitigate flash points leading to introduction of draft resolutions. Revising draft resolutions though further debate and caucusing. Emphasis on debate of/amendments to draft resolutions pertaining to solving international flashpoints. Presentation of final arguments for draft resolutions and movement towards voting procedure. Culmination of previous session’s voting outcome and closure of debate.
- MUN Committee Brief: After conducting research, students will write a brief outlining student’s country or character’s policy on the topic, a brief summary of the background of the topic, and proposals for future actions related to the topic.
- MUN Closing Ceremonies: Institute staff speeches. Awards announced and distributed.
Grades
Program participants will earn units of credit and will be recorded on an official University of California transcript. Please note that official transcripts are not automatically sent to students. You can view more information about UCLA grading policies and how to acquire a transcript.