COURSE OVERVIEW

AFNorth International School

Course Title: CWP4U / MUN

Credit Value: 1.0

Teacher: Mr. Bolotenko

Textbook: International Relations 1914 - 1995

Required materials: pens, pencils, floppy disks

Course Expectations:

This course examines national and international political issues from a variety of perspectives. Students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and states within the international community; analyse the different ways in which nations try to settle their conflicts with other nations; and evaluate the role of nationalist and internationalist ideologies in shaping relations among states.

By the end of this course, students will:

• explain the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens, groups, and states in the international community;
• describe the main ways in which sovereign states and non-state participants cooperate and deal with international conflicts;

• evaluate the role of the U.S. or Canada (or their home nation) and Americans/Canadians in the international community;
• describe the structure and function of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;
• evaluate the role and operation of the international human rights protection system.
• describe factors that make states powerful and factors that make states weak; identify key influences in the history of international relations; evaluate U.S./Canada’s (or their own nation’s) role and influence in international relations.
• explain the role and function of ideologies in national and international politics; explain how nationalist and internationalist ideologies shape ideas, as well as conflict or cooperation within and among nations;
• demonstrate an understanding of the many similarities and differences in the aspirations, expectations, and life conditions among the peoples of the developed and the developing nations.
• correctly use social scientific methods to gather, organize, and synthesize information;
• develop supportable conclusions about political events, issues, and trends and their relationships to social, economic, and cultural systems;
• communicate knowledge, beliefs, and interpretations of politics and citizenship, using a variety of formats;
• use political knowledge, skills, and values to act as responsible citizens in a variety of contexts.

Unit Titles and Timelines

Semester 1

First Quadmester - Model European Parliament

I THE MODEL EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The students will become familiar with the history of The Model European Parliament, its organs, committees, agencies and its functions and role today.

II POLITICAL POSITION / NATION RESEARCH

The teacher will assign each delegate one aspect of his/her country to research, write a

report and present an oral report. Topics covered will include geography, history,

economy, foreign policy and power blocs. The teacher will assign each delegate one

political stance to be taken based on party and national ideology.

III WRITING RESOLUTIONS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The student will learn the correct procedure for writing a resolution according to the Rules of Procedure for The Model European Parliament. Resolutions topics will come from the research pertaining to committee questions.

IV PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

The student will learn how to determine and employ the most appropriate techniques, procedures and formats for live presentations to audiences of varying size and political point of view.

Second Quadmester – The Hague Model International United Nations

I THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

The students will become familiar with the history of the United Nations, its organs, committees, agencies and its functions and role today.

II NON/INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Emphasis will be placed on the major NGOS and IGOS and those relevant to the student

vis-a-vis country assignment. Emphasis will be placed on the major NGOS and IGOS and those relevant to the student vis-à-vis country assignment.

III POWER BLOCS

The students will become familiar with the role, function and organization of blocs. Emphasis will be placed on the blocs relevant to the student’s country assignment.

IV COUNTRY RESEARCH

The teacher will assign each delegate one aspect of their country to research, write a report and present an oral report. Topics covered will include geography, history, economy, foreign policy and power blocs.

V PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AND DEBATE

The student will become familiar with both Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure but also with rules of procedure particular to THIMUN.

VI WRITING RESOLUTIONS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The student will learn the correct procedure for writing a resolution according to the Rules of Procedure for The Hague International Model United Nations. Resolutions topics will come from the research pertaining to committee questions.

VI PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

The student will learn how to determine and employ the most appropriate techniques, procedures and formats for live presentations to audiences of varying size and political point of view.

Students will participate in daily current events presentations and discussions. This will be evaluated on thoroughness of presentation, peer evaluation (formative, diagnostic) and content tests (summative).

Major Projects:

Students will be involved in two government simulations, the Model European Parliament and The Hague International Model United Nations. For each simulation, they will be required to create a series of resolutions, a policy statement and an opening speech. THIMUN will consititute the cumulative assignment for the semester.

NB: If students do not attend the model simulations, a supplementary assignment may be required.

Semester 2

First Quadmester – The Harvard Model Congress of Europe

I THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (in preparation for HMCE)

The students will become familiar with the history of the government of the United States, its organs, committees and how it functions.

II REPRESENTATIVE RESEARCH

The teacher will assign each delegate a representative whose position will be researched with respect to political stances and views on a predetermined number of issues.

III PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AND DEBATE

The student will become familiar with both Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure but also with rules of procedure particular to HMCE.

IV WRITING RESOLUTIONS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The student will learn the correct procedure for writing a resolution according to the Rules of Procedure for HMCE. Resolutions topics will come from the research pertaining to committee questions.

V PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

The student will learn how to determine and employ the most appropriate techniques, procedures and formats for live presentations to audiences of varying size and political point of view.

Second Quadmester – NATO Model Congress

I NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

The students will become familiar with the history of the government NATO, its organs, committees and how it functions.

II REPRESENTATIVE RESEARCH

The teacher will assign each delegate a nation whose position will be researched with respect to political stances and views on a predetermined number of issues.

III PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AND DEBATE

The student will become familiar with both Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure but also with rules of procedure particular to NATO.

IV WRITING RESOLUTIONS/COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The student will learn the correct procedure for writing a resolution according to the Rules of Procedure for NATO. Resolutions topics will come from the research pertaining to committee questions.

V PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

The student will learn how to determine and employ the most appropriate techniques, procedures and formats for live presentations to audiences of varying size and political point of view.

Students will participate in daily current events presentations and discussions. This will be evaluated on thoroughness of presentation, peer evaluation (formative, diagnostic) and content tests (summative).

Major Projects: Students will be involved in two government simulations, the Harvard Model Congress of Europe and the NATO Model Congress. For each simulation, they will be required to create a series of resolutions, a policy statement and an opening speech. A major research project and presentation will consititute the cumulative assignment for the semester.

NB: If students do not attend the model simulations, a supplementary assignment may be required.

Criteria for Evaluation: Criteria for evaluation will involve one or more of the four strands of

· Participation in the International Community

· Power, Influence, and the Resolution of Differences

· Values, Beliefs, and Ideologies

· Methods of Political Inquiry

Assessment and Evaluation: Evaluation of student work will be based on diagnostic, formative and summative assessments. These assessments will take into consideration the four categories of achievement consisting of Knowledge and Understanding, Thinking, Inquiry and Problem Solving, and Communication and Applications.

Notes:

Formative Assessment

A number of tests, quizzes, assignments and student conferences will not be included in the student’s final grade as they will serve more so as examples of ‘modelling’ of proper form.

Diagnostic Assessment

Diagnostic assessment may consist of pretests, ongoing quizzes and student conferences.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment may consist of any number of final tests, quizzes, assignments, presentations and student conferences.

Learning Skills

Learning skills will not comprise any of the final mark but will be noted throughout the year as a frame of reference for student achievement. These will include work habits, homework, initiative, teamwork, organization, independent work

Grading Levels

Numeric and Alpha grading levels will conform to those as mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Level 3 (70 – 79%) indicates that the student has met the provincial standard for the task.

NB: DoDDS students will receive a mark that has been converted from the Ontario grading levels.

Culminating Task

A culminating task will be part of the final evaluation for the course. Major projects will account for 15% of the mark and a final exam will comprise the remaining 15%. These will reflect the four categories of Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry/Problem Solving, Communication, and Applications.

The 6 + 1 Trait framework for writing will become a consistent and integral component of this course. All six traits of organization, word choice, sentence fluency, ideas, conventions and voice will be emphasized in turn and as applicable. Significant emphasis will also be placed upon presentation.

Assessment	CWP4U	Major Projects	Exam	Final
Knowledge (25%)	Student demonstrates considerable knowledge of facts and terminology.
Thinking, Inquiry, Problem Solving (25%)	Student uses good inquiry skills: formulating questions, organizing and conducting research; analysing, interpreting and evaluating information, and drawing conclusions.
Communication (25%)	Student uses visuals effectively and appropriately and communicates in writing appropriate for the intended audience and purpose effectively; uses appropriate tone of voice and body language to communicate effectively
Applications (25%)	Student uses technology, equipment and materials safely and correctly

I have read and understand the course overview for CWP4U/MUN. For more information I may contact Mr. Michail Bolotenko c/o AFNorth International School at (045) 527-8200 (ext. 268).

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(student’s signature) (parent’s signature) (date)