INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS -- POLSCI 3410

II. THE UNITED NATIONS

(1) The League of Nations and The Birth of The United Nations. (October 12)

ALB, Chs. 2-4, pp. 454-497; AY, Chs. I-III; UN, Ch. 1.

(2) Collective Security and Peace-Keeping. (October 19- Nov 2)

ALB, Chs. 6-9; AY, Chs. IV-VII, UN, Chs. 2&7.

(3) Economic and Social Activities. (November 9)

ALB, Chs. 12-14; AY, Ch. VIII; UN, Ch. 3.

(4) Decolonization, Human Rights and Humanitarian Activities. (November 16-23)

ALB, Ch. 15; UN, Chs. 4-6.

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SOUTHERN REGIONAL MODEL-UNITED NATIONS — November 18-20

(5) Agencies Related to the United Nations. (November 30)

AY, Ch. IX; UN, Ch. 8.

(6) Alternative Futures. (December 7)

ALB, Chs. 16-17; AY, Chs. X-XI.

The Ford Fellow

Ms. Kelly Walsh, a senior political science major, is a Ford Fellow and will play a major role in all aspects of the course. She has taken many classes with me, and will be an invaluable resource to the class. You are encouraged to come to her for help with readings, papers and other class assignments. In addition to her general responsibilities as a teaching assistant, Ms. Walsh has the additional, particular responsibility of leading discussion sessions on the model-UN (Ms. Walsh has participated in regional and national model-UN conferences). These sessions will also be used as a forum for discussing reaction papers.

Presentations, Papers, Examinations and Grades

PRESENTATIONS:

Course activity will involve oral presentations to the class of integration efforts in Europe and the Third World. By the second class meeting, groups of three or four students should be formed to undertake group projects. Each group will select one international governmental organization and will prepare for a thorough presentation to the class a summary and an evaluation of its selected organization. The reports should examine the organization in detail, and make recommendations on, a selected policy question.

PAPER I:

Each group will be responsible for completing one research paper (20 pages max). Groups are encouraged to consult with the instructor early in the semester regarding topic and resource materials. Papers should be typewritten and double-spaced. These papers will form the basis of groups' class presentations. Sources must be properly documented, and a bibliography must be provided. Primary research (legal documents, policy statements, treaties), statistical analysis or interviews should be undertaken as part of the final group policy paper.

DISCUSSION/SIMULATION EXERCISES:

To prepare for participation in the Model-UN and to become familiar with the practical aspects of the UN, class activity will include a series of mock model-UN discussion/simulation exercises. These simulations will cover several different areas of the U.N.'s work such as regional conflicts, disarmament, refugees, children's issues, external debt of developing countries, and the environment. These exercises will be held from October 12 to November 16, with faculty, staff and/or student participants/observers. The exercises will culminate in our participation in the Southern Regional Model- UN in Atlanta (November 18-20).

By October 12, groups of two or three student-delegations should be formed to research and discuss selected issue topics. In preparation for participation in the exercises groups will undertake a detailed study of BRAZIL, the country that the Millsaps delegation has been assigned to represent. This research will culminate in a ten to twelve hundred word profile of Brazil. In addition, each group will be responsible for drafting a minimum of two pre-SRMUN resolutions and developing strategies for formal participation in the conference.

reaction papers:

In order to promote reasoned thoughtful discussion, students will be required to write a three to four hundred word (one to two double-spaced typed pages) reaction to selected readings and/or videos. The papers are not to be summaries of the readings. Rather, they should be reactions -- even provocative reactions --to the readings/videos. Our Ford fellow, Ms. Walsh will be assigning three to four reaction paper projects throughout the course of the semester.

PAPER II:

After the Southern Regional Model-UN Conference each student-delegate to the conference will write a paper (approximately 1000 words) based on her/his experience at the Conference. Non-participants will write a paper (approximately 3000 words) in which they address some United Nations operation.

It is essential that group and individual papers be analytical rather than descriptive. Analytical papers prove assertions; they do NOT merely report facts. The authors of analytical papers DO employ history and facts, but they use them sparingly only when evidence is needed to prove the argument. This approach allows you to be selective in telling the story and thereby to keep the paper shorter, because you should only bring evidence you need to prove your argument rather than tell "the story" from start to finish.

In order to write an analytical paper, you must pose a question at the start that will serve as your thematic guide throughout the text. A rough rule of thumb is: questions that begin with "why," "how," or "is" are analytical. Questions that use "what" are not. A second test is: if you use the word "because" to answer your research question, your question is analytical. If you would like some help in formulating an analytical question, please do not hesitate to see me.

Mastering the formulation of an analytical question and carrying out the research to answer it are important skills that you will use beyond this course. Most professors, regardless of the subject they teach, are looking for analytical papers in their courses. Employers are also interested in individuals who have analytical skills rather than merely the capacity to memorize.

EXAMS:

There will be one mid-semester examinations and a final. Methods of Evaluation

• October 5 - First Exam (20%)
• Group presentations - (10%)
• Paper I (10%)
• Discussion/Simulation Exercises:
  (Quality of country profile and resolutions) - (10%)
• Reaction papers - (15%)
• Paper II - (15%)
• December 13 at 6 p.m. - Final Exam (20%)

STUDENTS WILL NOT BE GRADED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE CONFERENCE. HOWEVER A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO ATTEND A SCHEDULED SRMUN SESSION WILL NOT RECEIVE A GRADE FOR THE SECOND PAPER.**

A student must have prior permission to miss an exam in order to be eligible for a make-up exam. If you miss an exam without approval, you will not be given a make-up and you will receive an "F" for that exam.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

Students are responsible for lecture material and the assigned readings. It is virtually impossible to pass the course without regular class attendance.

Only the instructor can "excuse" an absence. Three cuts is about average to meet the needs of doctor appointments or other serious personal and/or family obligations. After that you will get a blue card warning you of the danger if you miss more classes. If you persist in your folly, you will get a yellow card dropping you from the course with a grade of F.

Honor Code: Please be advised that all class activities are subject to the provisions of the honor code. Plagiarizing, cheating in examinations, lying about missed assignments, absences, etc., are all violations of the honor code. If you are uncertain about whether an act constitutes a violation of the honor code, consult the instructor. See next page for additional information.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE of MILLSAPS COLLEGE

Millsaps College is an academic community dedicated to the pursuit of scholarly inquiry and intellectual growth. The foundation of this community is a spirit of personal honesty and mutual trust. Through their Honor Code, the students of Millsaps College affirm their adherence to these basic ethical principles.

An Honor Code is not simply a set of rules and procedures governing students' academic conduct. It is an opportunity to put personal responsibility and integrity into action. When students agree to abide by an Honor Code, they liberate themselves to pursue their academic goals in an atmosphere of mutual confidence and respect.

The success of the Code depends on the support of each member of the community. Students and faculty alike commit themselves in their work to the principles of academic honesty. When they become aware of infractions, both students and faculty are obligated to report them to the Honor Council, which is responsible for enforcement.

The pledge signed by all students upon entering the College is as follows:

As a Millsaps College student, I hereby affirm that I understand the Honor Code and am aware of its implications and of my responsibility to the Code. In the interests of expanding the atmosphere of respect and trust in the College, I promise to uphold the Honor Code and I will not tolerate dishonest behavior in myself or in others.

Each examination, quiz, or other assignment that is to be graded will carry the written pledge: "I hereby certify that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment. (Signature)" The abbreviation "Pledged" followed by the student's signature has the same meaning and may be acceptable on assignments other than final examinations.

It is the responsibility of students and faculty to report offenses to the Honor Code Council in the form of a written report. This account must be signed, the accusation explained in as much detail as possible, and submitted to the Dean of the College.

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*Italicized titles are on reserve in the Poli Sci department.

** The cost for attending Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) at Atlanta is $250.00 ($200.00 for members of the United Nations Association - Millsaps). This is for hotel accommodation for three nights, the delegates fees and transportation to and from Atlanta.
SRMUN Web Page