Academics

UN Course Offerings

ODU Model UN offers students opportunities to learn about the United Nations throughout the ODU academic year.

POLS 320: United Nations I (Fall)

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: POLS 100S or GEOG 100S or permission of the instructor. Combines a study of the structure, history, and functions of the UN with a treatment of major global political, social, and economic issues.

Class Syllabus

POLS 321W: United Nations II (Spring)

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: POLS 100S; POLS 320 highly recommended. Study of structure, history and functions of the United Nations. Includes simulations and organization of a high school conference. Class lectures are often delivered by faculty and dignitaries and cover a range of course relevant topics and issues.

POLS 497: Independent Study on the UN (Fall or Spring)

1 to 3 hours. Taught by MUN faculty sponsor Aaron Karp, open to MUN society members who have completed PS 320/321. It may be taken for credit twice.

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Recommended courses

Communications 306. Diplomatic Communication

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: COMM 300 or 400. This course familiarizes students with diplomatic communication, the language, protocol, contact practices, and administrative policies of diplomacy. Students train in the technical aspects of diplomatic discourse, from resolution writing to mission briefings, and the ever-evolving use of electronic communication in government business.

Communications 331. Argumentation and Debate

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: COMM 101R or permission of the instructor. Study of the principles of argumentation; frequent practice in debating current public problems.

Communications 333. Persuasion

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200S or permission of the instructor. An overview of the rhetorical and social scientific theories and research about persuasion and applications in speeches and campaigns.

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