GoMUN SYLLABUS - 2017

The British School of Rio de Janeiro

Revised April 2017

Key Areas Sub-topics

1 Research & Preparation

1.1 - Reliable Sources and Useful Websites
1.2 - General and Country-Specific Research
- Delegates countrys policies and
positions
- Major countries policies and positions
- Global scenario of the topic
- Statistics
1.3 - Writing Position Papers
- Position Paper Format
- Structure (Background information +
current situation in country + proposed
solutions)
1.4 - Preparing Conference Material
- List of useful links, articles and
statistics
- Summary of main arguments
- Draft Resolution/Clauses
- Portfolio (for no-computer conferences)

2 Debate & Rhetorical Skills

2.1 - Rules of Procedure
- General rules
- Committee-specific rules
2.2 - Argumentative Techniques
- Types of arguments (Inductive and
Deductive - link to Reason in TOKs
Ways of Knowing)
2.3 - Verbal Rhetorical Skills
- Rhetorical devices
2.4 - Non-Verbal Rhetorical Skills
- Body language, voice projection, eye
contact, etc...
2.5 - Asking Points of Information
- How to raise your placard before
thinking of a question
- Formulating good questions (Logical
fallacies, loaded questions)

3 Lobbying & Resolutions

 3.1 - Background Research
- Related international protocols, UN
resolutions and organizations
- Addressing cause and consequence
3.2 - Content of the Resolution
- Formatting and basic rules
- Writing preambulatory clauses
- Proper use of operative verbs and
careful wording of clauses
- Creating realistic
organizations/committees
- Awareness of infringements of national
sovereignty
- Funding methods (UN budget,
voluntary contribution of countries,
philanthropic organizations, fines)
3.3 - Speaking in Favour or Against Resolutions and
Amendments
- Argumentation
- Identifying unique characteristics to
praise, or flaws to criticise
3.4 - Writing Amendments
- Friendly amendments
- Judging whether it is useful to amend a
resolution
- Identifying vague clauses to be
changed or bad clauses to be stricken
3.5 - Lobbying
- Working with and managing your bloc
- Persuading other countries to join your
bloc
3.6 - Crisis Management

4 Chair Training
4.1 - Choosing Topics
- Consider global implication and
importance
- Consider level of debate required
- Consider time available
4.2 - Writing Good Study Guides
- Background information
- Current situation
- Guiding questions
- Useful links
4.3 - Rules of Procedure
- General rules
- Committee-specific rules
4.4 - Evaluating Delegates
- Position paper quality
- Resolution quality
- Quality of public speaking
- Spreadsheet tracking
- Award decisions
- Feedback
4.5 - BRAMUN Leadership Interviews
- Written application guidance
- Mock interviews and with school
interviewers or past interviewees