Academic Teams

Model UN

Carleton Model UN seeks to represent the values of Carleton College in all that it does. As an activity, Model UN is centered around a style of debate and procedure that occurs in the United Nations. However, Model UN applies this style of proceedings to a wide variety of bodies which it emulates, as well as many time periods and political climates that it explores. Model UN requires participants to immerse themselves within debates around socioeconomic inequality, technological and political revolutions, and other complex challenges that nation-states and corporations have contended with for centuries. The breadth of topics addressed by Model UN, in addition to the depth of awareness participants must build to succeed in this activity, supports the pursuit of knowledge that is central to a rigorous liberal arts education.

Participants in Model UN are assigned one topic and individual role to extensively research in preparation for Model UN conferences. The learning process that begins with research is brought to fruition when competing at these conferences. Here, participants act as delegates to a given historical body, and are tasked with developing and proposing solutions to intricate challenges that change in real time as the conference progresses. The resulting collaboration and argumentation with other delegates to address these issues pushes students to think in both a critical and extemporaneous manner.  By forming coalitions, giving speeches for and against resolutions, and drafting language to shape the direction of their governing body’s future, Model UN helps students grow in their oratory and leadership skills. Experience with these abilities can benefit participants in any variety of future careers. In this manner, Model UN participants must merge their extensive preparation and knowledge with real world skills of applying information and reacting to problems, a format that strongly aligns with Carleton’s mission to educate students for a life of success. 

Carleton Model UN is among the minority of Model UN teams in the nation that are primarily student run. Team members’ responsibility to plan trips, hold auditions and elections, and teach a wide variety of skills to fellow members encourages an atmosphere of collaboration. Complete ownership of the Model UN experience brings students on the team together, encouraging norms of trust and respect that are most amenable to discussing the nuanced political and social topics that Model UN engages with. Participants compete at conferences individually, but as team members will always grow and learn together. 

By promoting intense collaboration, a wide frame of knowledge, and effective problem solving skills, Carleton Model UN embodies and promotes Carleton’s values as an academic institution. In doing so, Model UN grants Carleton students with capabilities and understanding that they can apply in their future professions and lives up to and long after graduation.

Mock Trial

The Carleton Mock Trial team embodies many core values outlined in the Carleton Mission Statement. Mock Trial demands close readings of case materials newly prepared each year, which are then discussed and debated during team meetings. After carefully analyzing and synthesizing the evidence, participants practice the art of oral presentation by competing against other schools in tournaments. At tournaments, participants further develop and refine their oral presentation skills as they present before a jury composed of legal professionals and presentation coaches. Both extensive preparation and flexibility are required to meet the challenges of competing against other schools, which helps reinforce important qualities for any future career. Without the ability to compete at tournaments, students would be deprived of the opportunity to put their ideas to the test and adapt to unexpected challenges; oftentimes, the most valuable part of the learning experience comes from the competitions.

Furthermore, the Carleton Mock Trial Team encourages collaboration among teammates and gives all participants opportunities to grow as leaders. The Carleton Mock Trial program is entirely student run – a characteristic that distinguishes it from most other college mock trial organizations. By relying fully on students to hold auditions, plan tournament trips, and teach the necessary legal and public speaking skills, the Carleton Mock Trial program instills a deep-seated sense of camaraderie in its members, and also imparts the importance of collaborative thinking. To be fully prepared, teammates learn how to work together and trust each other on large projects – a skill that prepares Carleton alumni to be successful in the workforce after graduation. In accordance to Carleton’s goal to “embody the values of freedom of inquiry and expression” and “[protect] these values within a culture of academic integrity, civil deliberation, and ethical action,” Mock Trial provides an environment in which participants can discuss matters of law, democracy, and social issues that are presented with each case. With the extensive revision process that continues throughout the entire active season, each participant must learn when it is appropriate to stand up for their own ideas and when to make compromises with the rest of the team. Everyone also gets the chance to practice acting as a facilitator during these discussions.

In these ways, the Carleton Mock Trial Team represents and is integral to the fulfillment of Carleton’s mission statement, in regards to both the community Carleton wants to build on campus and the skills alumni are expected to have developed upon graduation.

Debate Team

The Carleton Debate Team is a student-run organization devoted to competitive speaking. The team primarily competes in Parliamentary Debate and Individual Events. The team travels both locally and nationally and achieves success at all levels. The Carleton Debate Team is open to anyone interested in honing their speaking skills though an intellectually challenging activity.