LAS 110J Topics in Inter-American Affairs
VIII North Country High School-Model Organization of American States
2008
Course
Objectives:
1. Students will participate in general
discussion on the history of
emphasis
and focus on the
2. Students will research political, social, and
economic characteristics of the United
States and
3. Students will study fundamental structure,
organization and purpose of the
Organization of
4. Students will identify and discuss current
hemispheric issues from a variety of textual
and digital
resources.
5. Students will develop reading, writing,
speaking and listening skills, specifically in
terms of
oral and written analysis and questioning of specific issues affecting
the
6. Students will develop oral and written
argument and debate skills in terms of
defending
or refuting policy and resolutions to be presented at the Model
Assembly.
7. Students will participate in the NCHS-MOAS at
SUNY Plattsburgh, June 1-3, 2008.
General introduction to course in terms of expectations and criteria for
success.
Distribute
texts-- The Future of the OAS, Vakey and Munoz
Understanding Contemporary
Richard S. Hillman
Lecture: The Model Organization of
American States program at MWCS
A brief history of
the OAS
A general overview
of the
importance.
Set up e-mail
correspondence with embassies and
agencies related
to the
Discuss fundraisers for trip to
Assignments: Read Hillman’s introduction, Understanding
Contemporary Latin America, 2nd Edition pp.1-10. Identify six main ideas which answer the
questions, “What constitutes
Choose one article which addresses a current
event in the
article and field questions about the article from the
class.
Class will
be divided into pairs. Each group will
research one aspect of the
Assignments:
Preparation
of class presentation
Current
events article #1 and summary for presentation Friday.
UCLA
Presentation of the research completed by individual groups.
Review OAS
history and organization.
Read and
discuss the OAS charter and its importance.
Research OAS committees and agendas.
Discussion of current hemispheric issues.
Initiate
correspondence with embassies and agencies in
Assignments:
Current event article presentation, summary, and discussion.
UCLA
Prepare
for general knowledge exam on aspects of the
Week of February 18-22 Mid-Winter Recess
The dread
“how-to-write-an-abstract” lecture.
Practice
abstract writing with relevant materials.
Discussion
of 2008 agenda topics
Designation of committee assignments and other roles.
Assignments:
One complete abstract of article.
UCLA
Current event articles.
Designation of committee assignments/research function of each
committee.
Discussion of duties for each delegate and
Begin
research on agenda topics.
Assignments:
Current event articles.
Identify
potential issues based on agenda for each committee.
UCLA Ch. 7, ”International Relations” pp.169-196.
Week of
March 10-14
Lecture: Questioning purposes and techniques.
Argument analysis, interpretation, form and goals.
Preparation of question list for trip to
Practice
questioning.
Assignments:
UCLA Ch. 6,
“The Economies of Latin America” pp.135-168
Abstract
based on one report from an OAS committee
Development of potential resolution topics based on knowledge of current
events.
Position paper on current issue affecting the
Discussion
of issues between committees; research and discuss potential resolution topics.
Lecture on
the purpose of resolutions and how they are written. Students will receive several examples of
resolutions to use as models.
Assignments:
One
general assembly resolution abstract; identification of purpose of individual
elements of the resolution and why each is important to the document.
Current events article.
UCLA
Continue
research on agenda topics for each committee.
Discussion of position on one agenda topic within each committee. Collect information to support/refute the position. One member will support the
position; the other will refute or attack it.
Assignments:
Current events article.
Position paper on agenda topic (affirmative or negative) from specific
committee.
UCLA
Permission
slips and contracts for trip signed and returned.
Trip to
Assignments:
Current events article.
Abstract of one journal article.
UCLA
Discuss/debate
positions for agenda topics.
Identify
position on each agenda topic within the committee.
Begin
drafting resolutions.
Draft resolution #1 due
Assignments:
Current events article.
Development of resolution—written speech defending your position.
UCLA
Exchange,
analyze and critique resolutions.
Resolution
draft 2.
Parliamentary
procedure—purposes and designs.
Protocol and procedures at the Model.
Practice
sessions.
Assignments:
Current events article.
Abstract, The Future of the OAS.
UCLA Ch. 10,
“The Role of Women”
pp.263-297
Continue
work on resolutions and defense.
Connections: how do our resolutions relate to other
countries in the hemisphere? Which
countries would support them? Which
countries would
oppose them?
Final
draft of resolution due for submission to the Model
Assignments:
Current events article.
Position
paper: analysis of support and
opposition for your resolution in committee.
UCLA
Present
and debate resolutions in mock sessions (potentially with OFA or
Prepare
for Model OAS. Portfolios of completed research and support
for resolutions to be submitted.
Discuss
logistics and expectations for the model.
Assignments:
Preparation
of working portfolio in three-ring binder
Permission
slips and contracts for model assembly signed and returned.
Practice
procedure and protocol.
Fine tune
resolutions.
Development of authorship speeches.
Critique individual resolutions and defense.
Mock sessions between each delegation as whole group activity.
Assignments:
Current events article.
Revised
drafts of resolutions due for re-submission to PSUC (if necessary)
Week of May 19-23
Potential presentation of mock committee session to other classes.
General review of roles, responsibilities, and goals at the model
assembly.
Review of
issues that relate to the
Rules and regs for participation and behavior while participating in
the Model Assembly.
Review
draft resolutions in initial committee booklets as they are received—which ones
can be supported? Which ones can’t?
Assignments:
Vaky and Munoz
Review
draft resolutions in each committee booklet.
Memorial
Day observed 5/26
Week of
May 27-30
Final preparation for the model.
Potential presentation to other classes.
Final drafts of authorship speeches due.
Head
delegate speeches
Review
Last
minute questions, concerns, issues
Assignments:
Practice
delivery of authorship speeches for each resolution in each committee.
Develop
one proponent speech supporting one draft resolution from initial committee
booklets.
Develop
one negative speech refuting one draft resolution from initial committee
booklets.
June 1-3, 2008: VIII North
Country High School-Model Organization of American States Assembly at SUNY