Social Studies Curriculum

Area Studies Electives

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Adopted January 1999

United Nations

Course Description:

United Nations is the study of the physical and cultural geography of selected member states in the organization and their relationship to key issues being examined by the organization.  Students will also examine the functions and roles of the United Nations in the contemporary world.  Emphasis is placed upon the process and issues of policy making.  Students may participate in a Model United Nations as representatives of a member state.  This participation may require a commitment of time beyond the regular class schedule.

The course title and description have been approved by the Anchorage School Board.  This course outline is meant to serve as an example of one possibility for organizing this class.  It does not represent the only way the course may be organized.  Each course outline has been written by a different teacher so there will be differences in the approach used from one course to another.

Course Goals:

Through this course students will:

• Understand the purposes of the United Nations and how it is organized to carry out its goals.
• Apply the skills needed to effectively participate in a Model United Nations.
• Conduct research necessary to participate effectively in a Model United Nations.
• Participate in classroom simulations and the Annual Model United Nations of Alaska.
  

Course Objectives:

The student will:

• Determine and describe the purposes of the United Nations.
• Identify the roles of each of the major arms of the United Nations, General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council, Economic and Social Council and International Court of Justice.
• Participate effectively on a team which represent a nation in the Model United Nations.
• Research the country selected or assigned by using many different resources. Locate as much information as possible about the nation's history, geography, economics, politics, allies, enemies, and past history in the United Nations.
• Conduct research on the assigned issue/topic.
• Write to the Embassy or Consulate to determine the country’s position on the issue/topic and information about the country.
• Participate on a committee which will debate a particular aspect of the issue. Research will be structured towards the purposes of assigned committee.
• Determine and describe their country’s position on the issue for debate and write a resolution paper which reflects those views.
• Abide by the rules which govern the Model United Nations of Alaska.
• Practice speaking effectively in front of peers.
• Debate issues in class related to a topic or the selected topic itself.
• Apply strategies for resolving an issue by compromise.
• Participate in the Model United Nations of Alaska.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to the United Nations
   1. Purpose of the UN
   2. History of the UN
   3. Organization
   4. Role of Committees
2. Model United Nations of Alaska
   1. Goals
   2. Organization
   3. Date and Time
   4. Delegates’ roles
3. Delegate Preparation - Research
   1. Select country to represent. Students & teacher send in first choices but final selection is left up to the Model UN committee so as to have a balanced Model United Nations.
   2. Each group researches the country they have been assigned.
      1. Physical and cultural geography
         1. Location
         2. Place characteristics (physical and cultural)
         3. Human/environment relationships
         4. Movement (physical and cultural)
         5. Regions (physical and cultural)
      2. History
      3. Government
      4. Economics
      5. Geography
      6. Membership in international organizations
      7. Current and past enemies/allies
   3. Research topic for year (Topic is chosen in September by the Alaska Model UN Committee)
4. Delegate Preparation
   1. Writing
      1. Students write a position paper based on their country’s views.
      2. Write resolutions using the Guide to Delegate Preparation.
   2. Debating
      1. Practice debating resolutions in class.
      2. Have students agree to one resolution.
   3. Rules--Rules are found in the Guide to Delegate Preparation or are sent out by the Committee.
   4. Model UN in classroom/school/district.
      1. Conduct a Model UN
      2. Security Council can be modeled instead of a General Assembly.
5. Participate in Model United Nations of Alaska

Next: Sample Course Outlines - US Regional Studies »