As part of the course, you are required to put together a profile statement on your alter ego. In other words, you are to find out as much as you can about the individual you will represent in the simulation. The profile statement should be no more than 2-3 pages. You can present it in outline form or in a narrative. Whatever works for you. You will also need to present this information to the rest of the class.

As you may or may not yet understand, you will be "acting" this role in the simulation. Hence, given a certain situation (policy, power relationships, institutional relationship, etc.), how would that individual respond? You will need to know what interests (obviously – political interests) drive that individual. You will need to something about what motivates that individual. Only when you know this information, can the simulation approximate "real" political situations in the European Union.

Things to focus on:

Personal bio - any information on the individual's personal life, past life, past political positions, careers, etc. that might hint at what might motivate that individual.
Political bio - To what political party do they belong? In Spain?. In Europe (if appropriate). How does this reflect on their political interests? In Europe? On Enlargement?
Institutions and Power - Try and focus on how their respective institutional and/or party and/or nation state position in the EU affects their political power. Do they have power? Or not? Some people have power, others do not. That's the reality of EU politics.

In sum, you will need to be able to identify your alter ego in terms of nation (Spain), ideology (political party – whether in Spain or in the European Parliament), person (background, history, positions held, etc.), and policy (where do they stand on enlargement in general, enlargement's impact on various institutions of the EU, enlargement's impact on Spain, and enlargement's impact on EU policies like CAP/Structural)

Overall, you will need to do some research on this (some of these things we will discuss in class). You can use the web (you may find some email addresses), write/fax (I can provide help here in terms of faxing and printing letters on WCU letterhead), or call (can't help you there). I'm still hoping for a visit from the Spanish consulate. We will also be briefed in general at the Spanish embassy shortly before the simulation. You can ask questions then as well (although it will not be helpful for the paper). You will want to request information in English. If they can't do that or have that information, ask for Spanish and perhaps we can get it translated. The quality of information will vary. I know that. Do the best you can!

Here is a list from last year. This year's alter ego assignments will be different - but this can give you a sense of how this all works.