VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

The High School for Math, Science & Engineering @ CCNY

Model United Nations Club

Ms. Florian: rflorian@schools.nyc.gov

Ms. Boylan: jboylan2@schools.nyc.gov

Image from Canadian National Post On-line

Two Kenyan girls sit next to a knife used for female genital mutilation.

This year, an estimated 2 million women and girls will be circumcised.

1. The Introduction
Female genital mutilation (also known as female genital cutting and female genital circumcision) is a practice that has affected an estimated 130 million women and girl-children world-wide. Besides the expected physical pain, women report long-term negative physiological, psychological and sexual side effects. The majority of reported cases stem from African and Muslim communities, but it is not limited to those communities.

2. The Task
As delegates to the United Nations, you and your partner will:

· Thoroughly research the issue in general and as it pertains to your assigned country or organization. Compile your research in an organized binder.

· Write a resolution and 90 second speech that demonstrate your position and suggested policy.

· Participate in a mock session in which you must negotiate your position.

3. The Process
In order to complete your tasks, you and your partner need to research your topic. Essentially, you become public policy analysts and go through the following six steps, which will give you the foundational information required to complete your tasks.

Research

Step 1. Define the Problem

Step 2. Gather Evidence

Step 3. Identify Causes

Analysis

Step 4. Evaluate a Policy

Step 5. Develop Solutions

Step 6. Select Best Solutions

Compiling Research

Researchers must be organized! Use a one-inch three-ring binder with dividers and folders to keep your research. You may come up with your own system but you have to be able to justify it.

The Resolution & Speech

Using the research and analysis tools, you will write your resolution and speech in accordance with the information outlined on the United Nations Association of the United States of America website.

The Mock Session

You and your partner will participate with other members of the Model United Nations Club in a mock session to present your position and negotiate positions with the goal of coming to some acceptable agreement.

4. The Resources

Make sure to track and cite resources!

GENERAL

Issue Related Resource Links

The United Nations

UNAUSA Resource Links

5. The Evaluation

Category	4	3	2	1
Research	Incorporates relevant outside information. Includes relevant facts, examples and details, but discussion may be more descriptive than analytical.	Incorporates limited or no relevant outside information. Uses some facts, examples and details, but discussion is more descriptive than analytical.	Presents no relevant outside information. Presents few facts, examples and details; simply restates contents of the documents.	Presents no relevant outside information. Attempts to complete the task, but essay demonstrates a major weakness in organization.
Mechanics	Communicates with full control and understanding of the conventions of English grammar and usage. Experiments with sophisticated language and varied sentence structures.	Writes a satisfactory developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization. Restates the theme in the introduction and concludes with a simple restatement of the theme.	Communicates with partial control and understanding of the conventions of English grammar and usage. Uses familiar language and simple sentence structure.	Communicates with a lack of control and understanding of the conventions of English grammar and usage. Uses inappropriate and/or incorrect language and sentence structure.
Purpose	Establishes and maintains clear focus: evidence of distinctive voice and appropriate tone.	Focuses on a purpose, evidence of voice and suitable tone.	Attempts to establish and maintain purpose and communicate with the audience.	Limited awareness of audience and purpose.
Policy Development	Depth and complexity of policies supported by rich, engaging and pertinent details; evidence of analysis, negotiation, reflection and insight.	Depth of policy development and success of negotiation supported by elaborate, relevant details.	Lack of elaborated policy development, unelaborated or repetitious details, little evidence of successful negotiation.	Minimal policy development, limited or unrelated details, no evidence of successful negotiation.
Real World Reference	Frequent reference to international treaties, international organizations and real-world stakeholders.	Numerous references to international treaties, international organizations, and real-world stakeholders.	Some references to international treaties, international organizations, and real world stakeholders.	Few references to international treaties, international organizations and real-world stakeholders.

Source for Position Paper Rubric: UNAUSAMUN

Discussion Rubric

Category	4	3	2	1
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic and uses many examples.	Shows a good understanding of the topic and uses some examples.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic and uses few examples.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces a few words.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces many words.

Individual Rubric

Category	4	3	2	1
Individual Work in a Team	Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together.	Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.	Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.	Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.

5. The Conclusion

If this is an issue about which you feel passionately, don’t stop here! Make your voice heard and DO SOMETHING! Start a letter writing campaign to an elected official to effect change in United States international policy. Volunteer with an agency that works with this population. This project marks the beginning of your training to represent the High School for Math, Science & Engineering as a Model United Nations Delegate. We hope it is the beginning of your training to be a world citizen.

6. The Standards

This Webquest adheres to the NYS ELA STANDARD 4 and NYS SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARD 5