How Do We Capitalize on Model UN Programs?
1
David Mislan
2
Abstract:
Most political science departments are affiliated with Model UN and Model
Congress programs that combine experiential learning with service to a college, high school,
or primary school skills related to teaching simulations, case studies, and service-learning.
constituency. Involved faculty members contribute their wealth of knowledge and expertise
on the related academic subject and apply their conventional wisdom to advising their
students in a routine co-curricular fashion. These programs, however, have the potential to
contribute to a college student’s education beyond these areas; they also require a specialized
approach to advisement and teaching that draws on
Despite the prevalence of these programs, there is little training or ‘how-to’ literature
available to political scientists. This paper is the beginning of an effort to develop a resource
for political scientists that advise Model UN / Model Congress programs. Enhanced training
of, and conversation between, faculty advisors will lead to the capitalization of these
programs as powerful vehicles for curricular and co-curricular education.
Keywords:
model UN, model congress, advising, co-curricular education, experiential
learning, civic education
1
This is a general outline of the presentation given to the International Models track of the 2005 APSA
Teaching and Learning Conference, February 20, Bethesda, Maryland.
2
David Mislan is a doctoral candidate and adjunct instructor in the Political Science Department at Rutgers
University (New Brunswick, New Jersey). Do not cite this paper or presentation without his consent,
which can be easily obtained by contacting him (
## email not listed ##
.) Any errors contained herein
are solely due to the author’s indiscretion and ignorance.
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