[Gammit]

I've been curious (since BG2) on how a game including a monk would be. I started a quick 5 minute game to get used to everything with a party that included a monk. Within a minute, the monk was dead. So, some questions:
1.) how should I use a monk in combat? as a sideline fighter to go in after the first wave? as a ranged fighter? as a front-line attacker?
2.) should I keep a monk out of harms way until she reaches a level beyond level one?
3.) should I stick with unarmed combat, even from the beginning?
4.) can I/should I use my monk to serve as my rogue and possibly pick up a level or two later in the game in rogue?

Any help would be appreciated. The other members of my party (first and experimental party): barbarian, ranger, druid, sorcerer, wizard.