Fakultet for humaniora, samfunnsvitenskap og lærerutdanning

Theoretical.

This is considered an optional course that can contribute towards a master degree in political science, as well as other MA degrees (e.g. MPCT, indigenous studies, etc.).

The UN course provides students with both practical and theoretical insights into the forms of international relations discussed at the level of the Security Council. Students learn about the origin and structure of the United Nations, followed by a more in-depth study of the Security Council. Students become familiar with the procedures of the only international body that is responsible for global peace and security. The course will also cover the action that the Council mandates, and review the historical record and current status of peacekeeping operations. The relationships between different types of international organizations and operations will also be addressed.

Each year a "scenario" is chosen which will both be discussed during the lectures as well as feature as the theme for the annual Model UN (MUN) or roleplay. MUN is an increasingly popular development in new and innovative teaching strategies employed by universities and schools worldwide, and is supported by various international United Nations Associations, as well as by the United Nations itself. MUN provides students with the opportunity to experience international negotiation and diplomacy through an accurate simulation of the processes taking place in the Security Council. Students are assigned a country in the Security Council and work in groups to prepare the position of their country on the scenario. During the two-day MUN conference, students are tasked with negotiating a solution to the situation outlined in the scenario and will through this practice experience constraints and possibilities of collective international action.

In all, this course provides students with a unique learning experience and the possibility to understand as well as constructively criticise, an important as well as controversial international institution.

Upon passing the course, the student will have obtained the following knowledge/skills:

Knowledge and comprehension:
- Good comprehension for the Security Council´s rules and procedures, including the ways and means by which negotiations are conducted during crisis situations and the possibilities and limitations of these negotiations.

Skills:
- Ability to express complicated political positions in written and oral form.
- Ability to obtain updated information on international politics generally and on the UN in particular.
- Ability to define and analyze a research question relevant to developments in the UN

Competence:
- Experience with negotiations pertaining to complicated international crises within a fast-paced and demanding work atmosphere.
- Develop cooperative skills and comprehension of the dynamics of working closely with colleagues in working groups.

English.

All exam work can be submitted in either English or Norwegian.

The course consists of 10x2 hours of lectures (total 20 hrs), as well as a 2 day roleplay.

Quality assurance of course

This course is evaluated once per year, with a teaching evaluation and a final evaluation. The teaching evaluation consists of a discussion with the primary lecturer. The final evaluation will take place either orally or written.

Master students are assigned the task of defining their own research question relevant to the content of the course. The students research the UN topic of their choosing within a word-limit of max 4000 words. Supervision is available. The essay will be evaluated by both an internal and external examiner.

Work is graded on the following grading scale: A-E indicate pass, while F indicates a fail. A supplementary exam is offered to anyone obtaining a grade of "F".

Coursework requirements
Preparation and participation in the Model UN. This includes producing individual position papers at 800 words, which will receive pass/fail.

Hjemmeeksamen:

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.

Hjemmeeksamen

STATSV-211 ects Model United Nations ects 9 ects
STATSV-316 ects Model United Nations ects 10 ects
STV-2052 ects Model United Nations ects 10 ects