Political Science at Aquinas College

 

Model United Nations Conferences bring college and university students together to role-play delegates from their assigned countries.  At Model UN, delegates are judged on their ability to accurately portray their country’s policies and positions on a number of important issues. Knowledge of history, balance of power, alliances, and diplomatic skill are fundamental. 

Students at Aquinas spend several weeks researching and developing their country's positions and policies before traveling to a conference. They develop specific policy statements and practice writing United Nations resolutions.  Knowledge of the structures and functions of the United Nations is crucial to the success of their portrayal, as is knowledge of their country’s positions.

Since 1998, Model UN has been a part of the Aquinas College student experience. Starting in 2015, Aquinas began hosting a high school Model UN for schools in West Michigan.

It has been our philosophy to create opportunities for the highest level of participation in, and analysis of, the United Nations for Aquinas College students.  This includes:

• Annual participation in a national conference since 1998;
• Program open to all students for course credit;
• Emphasis on the practice of all skills of diplomacy, including negotiation, role-playing, public speaking, listening, understanding, compromise, and problem solving;
• Emphasis on understanding the history, philosophy, mechanics, and structure of the United Nations;
• Emphasis on specific knowledge of country representation, including history, policy, and participation in international organizations;
• Analysis relative to the distribution of benefits and power of the items above.