Your participation in the simulation is required. If you have other commitments during the simulation exercise, you will need to enroll in another course. Your presence in Washington D.C. during the entire simulation exercise is mandatory (12/1-12/4). The success of the simulation depends on the active engagement of all participants.
The simulation involves a myriad of group-based activities, which will provide you with a truly unique and alternative learning experience. To benefit from this experience you need to be well prepared.
During the simulation you will assume the role of an individual actively engaged in policy making in the European Union. As a class, we represent Spain. Some students will assume the identities of government officials, while others will represent members of the European Parliament. Other students from other schools will represent government officials and parliamentary deputies from other countries of the EU. This year all 15 member countries of the EU will be represented by a total of 15 schools. We expect nearly 200 students to participate in the simulation exercise.
During the three-day simulation exercise we will attend a briefing at the U.S. State Department where you will meet members of the foreign service engaged in the day to day operation of our foreign policy with our European allies. We will also attend a briefing at the Finnish Embassy where you will have the opportunity to engage officials from the European Union via a live-satellite video-conference. Ask questions. Finally, we will attend a private briefing at the Spanish embassy where you will be able to question diplomats about Spain's role in the EU and its participation in the Enlargement debate.
Two days of intense meetings will follow wherein you will be engaged in serious negotiations with your counterparts from the other participating schools. Some of the students will be charged with representing the interests of Spain, while others will represent the concerns of their respective party affiliations. The end product will be a resolution on some aspect on European Union Enlargement.
The Department of Political Science and the School of Business and Public Affairs at West Chester University will cover the costs of lodging, registration fee, and a banquet dinner and possibly (more than likely) one other dinner. You will be responsible for other meals (although a continental breakfast will be served in the hotel on the two mornings of the simulation) and transportation. Please be mindful of the fact that D.C. is an expensive city and you should plan accordingly. We are also planning to arrange a dinner with WCU alumni who are working in the D.C. area in order to provide a forum for interested students to discuss career options.
Finally, in D.C. you will be representing West Chester University. As such, I do not need to tell you to be responsible. You are all adults and thus, I will expect appropriate behavior.
| TO: | EU PSC 402 Students |
| FROM: | Dr. Loedel |
| RE: | General Agenda for Simulation - First Two Days |
| December 1st, Wednesday Departure: 1:30 a.m., Lawrence Parking Lot, gas pumps. Please be on time!! Be sure to bring some food to feed the driver - Professor Loedel! Do not bring more than one suitcase. We do not have much room for luggage!! Check in at Holiday Inn Georgetown Dinner at 7:00, Fino's in Georgetown, dress casual, meet with WCU Political Science Alumni |
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| December 2nd, Thursday Dress code is formal. We are planning to go to the hotel before going to the Italian embassy. However, if we are running late, we will go straight to the embassy. So make sure to dress accordingly. 10:00 - Spanish embassy, 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. We will take taxis to the embassy. Bring some loose change, etc. 11:45 - Finnish embassy for briefing with EU officials. 1:00 - Bus to State Department of lunch and briefing. 2:30 - Brief presentation by Heads of State/Prime Ministers - at the State Department 4:00 - Back to the hotel, check in (if we haven't yet), rest up, etc. 6:00 - Party groupings, Ministers, Comm, head to four different area restaurants. Your restaurant is determined by your group/party grouping (PES, PEP, UPE, etc). I will let you know where, etc. when we get down to DC. Instructions: Mingle and get to know your fellow party/group members. You may choose leaders. Start to think about how your "group" will respond to the resolution. Do not sit together in "university" groupings. Food and drink (no alcohol) are paid for. Try to get in the "European" mood through the tastes and smells of the locales (This will be funny for those going to the Old Europe restaurant!) |
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| Money: You will need some money for taxi's. I may be able to get this money reimbursed, but don't count on it. Lunch $ for all the days we are down there. Dinner on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday are paid for. Dinner on the way home on Saturday (we will leave DC around 5-6 p.m) you will need to cover. I believe that there will be a bagel buffet, coffee, etc., in the hotel on Friday and Saturday morning. DC is an expensive town so budget accordingly. Your Prof. is himself not too liquid! Additional: I know I don't need to say this again, but I will. You are representing West Chester University. Please behave accordingly. I'm no chaperone. But I do expect you to be at all the meetings, etc., including those that begin at 8:30-9:00 in the morning. Finally, if you have any problems or emergencies before Wednesday afternoon, call me at 610 518-2727. | |