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An Assessment of Simulations on an : International Organization
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 May 2020
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Simulation is an increasingly popular pedagogical device; much of the recent literature on the theory and practice of political science instruction attests to this. Probably the most popular simulation device is called model United Nations. In recent articles in Teaching Political Science and NEWS for Teachers of Political Science, William Hazelton and James Jacob have described Model United Nations in glowing terms, focusing on one particular conference and completely ignoring the rest of the 200 or more conferences held annually across the United States.
Like Jacob and Hazelton, we recognize the great potential value of United Nations simulations in trying to illuminate the often confusing politics of international organizations. As former participants and directors of these programs, however, we are keenly aware of the shortcomings and difficulties associated with the existing structure of model U.N. programs.
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- Copyright © American Political Science Association 1985
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* An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association—South, Atlanta, 1982. The authors are grateful to Gary Bertsch for his comments and suggestions.
1 Hazelton, William and Jacob, James, “Simulating International Diplomacy: The National Model United Nations Experience.” Teaching Political Science, 10, 2 (Winter 1983): 77–88Google Scholar and Hazelton, William, “Conflict Resolution and the National Model United Nations.” NEWS for Teachers of Political Science, 40 (Winter 1984): 6–7Google Scholar. Another treatment of a model U.N. as a teaching device is available in Weatherby, Joseph and Earl\Huff, , “The Realities Simulation: A Case Study of the Cal Poly Model U.N.” Teaching Political Science, 6, 2 (January, 1979): 248–256CrossRefGoogle Scholar.
2 Additional information can be gained through the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA). They assist the organizers and participants of the model U.N. programs held annually across the U.S. through its model U.N. and Student Services Department. UNA-USA holds an annual conference for organizers, publishes an annual calendar of conferences, and markets a “survival kit” for model U.N. participants. Their address is: UNAUSA, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017.
3 Although it is tempting to “name names” when analyzing model U.N., we resist for two reasons. First, we have not been to all of the conferences and do not believe it is fair to singleout only the better known conferences. Secondly, the quality and operation of model U.N. conferences can vary year to year according to changes in their staffs; thus, our specific recommendations may be somewhat inaccurate.
4 We have provided an outline of how to organize a classroom simulation in Diehl, Paul F. and Montgomery, Michael J., “Teaching Political Science Through Simulation” Michigan Journal of Political Science, 2, 1 (1982): 85–89Google Scholar. Instructors may also find the following guides useful in organizing their own simulation: UNESCO, How to Run a Model U.N. Meeting, (New York: Oceana Press, 1962) and Blew, JamesGoogle Scholar, Michael J. Montgomery, and Danny Wiess, “How to Run a Model U.N.” (pamphlet issued by the UNA-USA, New York, New York, 1980).
5 Of course, model U.N. and classroom simulation are not exclusive options. The most desirable situation would be for a classroom exercise to serve as preparatory device for a high quality model U.N. conference.