The Model United Nations program at UNE is a for-credit course to prepare students to participate in the National Model United Nations conference in New York City at the end of March.  There will be an informational meeting for all students interested in taking part in Model UN during the Spring 2010 semester on Friday, September 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Marcil 318A.  The course description is below.  It is recommended that students have some background in international relations or comparative politics before participating in this course.  Enrollment will be limited.

All interested students should attend to receive information about this class/trip and an application form.  If you would like more information but are unable to attend at this time, please contact Professor Mueller at jmueller@une.edu.

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Course Description
The United Nations was established at the end of World War II as a grand experiment – an attempt to create international unity and establish a lasting peace.  It sought to correct some of the inherent flaws of its predecessor, the League of Nations.  The UN has become a complex, at times unwieldy, international organization.  It has often failed to live up to its mandate, but in the end may be our only choice for resolving many of the global problems that plague the world.  By far the best way to begin to understand the inner working of this organization is to participate in the largest Model United Nations simulation in the world.  This course is unique for UNE in that it provides students with hands-on experience by participating in this simulation and attending sessions at the UN headquarters in New York.

The main purpose of this course is to prepare our delegation to attend the Model United Nations session in New York in March 2010. Toward this aim, we will research the history of our assigned country, prepare position papers for our assigned committees and study the organization of the UN itself.  It is critically important that students understand how the UN functions, how perceptions of the UN shape its ability to be effective, and how to make connections with other actors in order to accomplish our country’s goals.  Because each student will represent our country on a different committee, there will be a great deal of individual research and reporting back to the rest of the group. 


Julie L. Mueller
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
University of New England
JMueller@une.edu
207-602-2559