Model Arab League & Model United Nations

The Southeast Regional Model Arab League (MAL) simulation is held each March in Spartanburg, SC. Delegates to the MAL role play a country that is a member of the official Arab League which was founded in Cairo, Egypt in 1945. The United States has a long and friendly history with several Arab countries that even pre-dates the creation of Israel as a state in 1948. There are 22 member nations of the Arab League.

JSU has engaged in MAL since 1999 and is one of the longest participating members in the Southeast Regional Model Arab League. Scores of JSU students have engaged in this hands-on learning exercise and went on to successfully earn their law degree, secure a position in the corporate world, or enter the field of education, or work in the political world.

This opportunity is open to all majors who are sophomore level or higher. Prospective delegates may enroll in the 3-hour PSC 377 Governments of the Middle East class, OR they may enroll in the 1-hour PSC 439-001 or PSC 439-002 Model Debate Team: Global Issues course.  Students who are members of the Honors Program and want to earn Honors credit for the MAL, should enroll in UH 439 prior to the beginning of the Spring semester. Students will research, write position papers, and master parliamentary procedures regarding their assigned country.

Students selected as a delegate will pay their own delegate fee ($45) and hold a fundraiser for the team with their fellow delegates. Hotel and transportation expenses are usually covered by JSU and from the fundraiser account. Students are expected to cover a portion of their meals for the 2-night/3-day event (Friday-Sunday). Students participating in this academic exercise will be officially excused from classes.

Students of all majors are invited to participate. Interested students should reach out to Dr. Lori Owens,(256)782-8269, before the start of the Spring semester. Delegates will meet each Friday from 8:45am-9:45am to prepare for the competition.

For more information on the MAL, please visit their web page. Go to the Southeast Conference section to view the agenda, conference itinerary, and country assignments for the Spartanburg, SC event.

Students who participate in MAL, are given first priority to apply for paid summer internships offered by the National Council on U.S./Arab Relations in Washington, D.C. Students may also earn college credit for these internship opportunities.

MAL Delegates may also apply for student study visits to the region where they will be joined by other high achieving students and faculty from the United States.

The Southeast Regional Model Arab League will be held March 13-15, 2026 in South Carolina at Converse University. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Lori Owens directly at ljowens@jsu.edu prior to the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester.

The Model United Nations or Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) offers you the opportunity to role play a member country each November in Atlanta, GA. JSU began participating in SRMUN in 2015.

Prospective delegates should enroll in the 1-hour PSC 439-001 or 002 Model Debate Team: Global Issues course. Political Science majors should be enrolled in or have completed one global studies course and be sophomore level or higher to participate. If students are members of the Honors Program and wish to receive Honors credit, instead of Political Science credit, students must enroll in UH 439. Students will research, write position papers, and master parliamentary procedures regarding their assigned country.

Students selected as a delegate will pay their own delegate fee ($100 in 2025) and hold a fundraiser for the team with their fellow delegates. Hotel and transportation expenses are usually covered by JSU and from the fundraiser account. Students are expected to cover a portion of their meals for the 2-night/3-day event (Thursday-Saturday). Students participating in this academic exercise will be officially excused from classes.

Students of all majors are invited to participate. Interested students should reach out to Dr. Lori Owens, (256) 782-8269. Delegates will meet in person one afternoon or evening each week to prepare for the competition.

For more information regarding SRMUN, please visit the SRMUN web page.

For more information about Model UN, please email Dr. Lori Owens directly at ljowens@jsu.edu