Course

THE UNITED NATIONS

Important Notice

This course is not active. Please contact Department Chair for more information.

Course code
POLI 2204
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
25
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
A study of the structure, history, and functions of the United Nations, and of the major economic, social and political issues currently before the United Nations. The course combines both substantive knowledge and simulated debates of major issues on the United Nations agenda. Students will learn United Nations’ rules of procedure, the principles of resolution writing, and the preparation of country and issue briefs. Students will also study the general foreign policy of at least one country in order to represent that country in class simulations.
Course content

1.      The United Nations in Historical Perspective

 

2.      Legal Framework, Institutional Structures, and Financial Realities

 

3.      The United Nations Political Process

 

4.      Politics and the United Nations Secretariat

 

5.      Security through Collective Action

 

6.      The Settlement of International Disputes

 

7.      Disarmament and Arms Control

 

8.      The Revolution of Self Determination

 

9.      Social and Technical Cooperation

 

10.    Promoting Economic Development

 

11.    Looking Back toward an Uncertain Future:  The United Nations and the Twenty-First Century

Learning activities

Presentation of the course will involve the use of formal lectures, structured group work by students and preparation for a model United Nations.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be based on course objectives and in accordance with Douglas College policy and the policies of the Political Science Department.  A minimum of 50% of the student’s grade will be assigned to the mid-term and end of term examinations.  A minimum of 30% of the student’s grade will be assigned to formal research papers.  A maximum of 20% of student’s grade will be based upon a series of components, for example, quizzes, short essay, attendance, participation, class presentations.  The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

 

One example of an evaluation scheme:

 

         Participation                                               20%

         Mid Term Exam                                           25%

         Research Papers                                         30%

         Final Exam                                                 25%

 

                                                                        100%

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

 

1.      Explain the history, structure and processes of the United Nations.

 

2.      Demonstrate the rules of procedure of the United Nations in simulation.

 

3.      Write resolutions and prepare country and issue briefs.

 

4.      Conduct research on the foreign policy of countries and apply that knowledge to practical political

          issues.

 

5.      Prepare for further studies in International Relations.

Textbook materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

 

Textbooks and readers will be chosen based on individual instructor preferences in consultation and with approval of the Department of Political Science.

 

SAMPLE TEXTS:

 

Mingst, Karen and Margaret Kains.  (2000).  The United Nations in the Post Cold War Era.  Boulder, Co.:

         Westview Press.

 

Ziring, Lawrence, Robert Riggs, and Jack Plano.  (2000).  The United Nations, International Organization &

         World Politics (3rd ed.).  Harcourt College Publishers.

 

Cusinaine, Maryann.  (2000).  Beyond Sovereignty:  Issues for a Global Agenda.  Boston, Ma: 

         Bedford/St. Martin.

Requisites

Prerequisites

One 100-level Political Science Course, or Permission of the Instructor

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for POLI 2204
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025