Northern Illinois University
Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Mock Trial team participates in collegiate mock trial competitions. Mock trial participants play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in trial simulations while competing against other colleges and universities in tournaments. They are judged by practicing attorneys and judges, and often times compete in real courtrooms. Mock trial helps prelaw students learn legal principles and the nature of trial advocacy. Students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as knowledge of legal practices and procedures. For more information, please contact Mitch Pickerill, Ph.D., at pick@niu.edu.

Each spring semester, students from around the state of Illinois participate in the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation. The MIG event is a structured legislative simulation as well as a Moot Court competition. Students choose among various roles including: Legislators, lobbyists, journalists, attorneys, justices, budget analysts, as well as many leadership positions within the parties and committees. Within the legislature, students are assigned political parties and districts and placed in committees consistent with their particular interests. The legislators then simulate the legislative processes in the actual committee rooms and chambers of the Capitol building in Springfield. For more information contact Scot Schraufnagel, Ph.D., at sschraufnagel@niu.edu, adviser to MIG, or Ian Pearson at ipearson@niu.edu, NIU student president of MIG.

The Model United Nations is a series of simulations run throughout the country and the world with the aim of furthering an understanding of the United Nations, educating participants about world issues, and promoting peace. Students develop many personal skills by participation in Model UN conferences, including teamwork, persuasive writing, oratory skills, and negotiation and compromise, all of which are important for personal development and future success. The NIU MUN organization attends two Model UN conferences a year. For more information on the club, contact the advisor, Ches Thurber, Ph.D., at cthurber@niu.edu.

The Political Science Student Advisory Committee (POLS-SAC) is a group of student leaders that acts as a liaison between the department’s faculty and undergraduate students. The committee serves as a mechanism for program evaluation and improvement. It solicits and provides student input on proposed policy changes within the department’s undergraduate program, and may initiate proposed changes for consideration by the appropriate faculty committees. POLS-SAC may independently, or in conjunction with other department groups, organize and administer special events and activities related to the study and practice of political science. For information on how to join, please contact Mitch Pickerill, Ph.D., at pick@niu.edu, director of Undergraduate Studies.

The NIU Pre-Law Honors Society is a student organization that was designed to aid potential law students and those interested in the legal field. They host weekly meetings with speakers such as law school representatives, LSAT preparation workshops, and seminars from NIU's very own law school professors. Meetings are every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Swen Parson 187. For more information on the NIU Pre-Law Honors Society, contact NIU Student President of PLHS, Jakub Sobieraj at jsobieraj@niu.edu or faculty advisor Brendon Swedlow, Ph.D. at bswedlow@niu.edu, or look up the group on Facebook.