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Printer-Friendly ModeModel UN now offering college credit hours
September 21, 2009 —
More and more students are drawn to Model United Nations as it became a class at SVSU this fall.
“[Model UN] has grown from 12 people to 28 this year, and we even had to turn people away because of the large interest,” said Kirsten Whitlock, vice president and political science junior.
Model UN is an academic simulation of the renowned international organization. It allows students to role-play in international politics, face problems and present solutions.
Whitlock explained that many students in the past had an interest in joining Model UN but didn’t have time for it. Now, with it as a class, they can work the activity into their school schedules and earn credit.
In the class, students practice diplomacy as they work in committees, study broader topics and have their weekly meeting during class. The students get practice with public speaking as well as with writing resolutions.
Jon Kaczynski, instructor of political science, modeled the new system after Central Michigan University’s, having once been very involved with that school’s program.
Students earn three credits for the class and can retake it for an additional credit.
Allison Jolin, a political science junior, is excited to learn a lot as her first year in the organization.
“It is really designed for any major to learn communication skills,” she said.
Their work is all in preparation for a four-day conference in November. SVSU students will join 1,500 others in Chicago to discuss the issues facing the country each team represents.
“It doesn’t matter your political affiliation because you have to represent the politics of the country you are representing at the conference,” Whitlock said.
Due to their numbers, SVSU’s Model UN team will represent two countries this year: Canada and another nation that has not yet been announced.
Whitlock said she is excited for the upcoming conference.
“This will be one of our best years because we will be much more prepared.”