Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15134:IR18‐BA103 English for International Studies III (Theme‐based)(RF) § 15135:IR-BAS103 Academic English Ⅲ (A) § 15136:IR-BAR103 English Ⅲ (F) 2022 Fall Mon4,Thu1 College　Of　International　Relations IKEDA YOSHIKO 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY206/RYOYUKAN　RY206

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This is a four-skill-based course with relative emphasis on reading. We will read Al Gore’s Our Choice, and Clashing Views on Global Issues. We will also watch films such as An Inconvenient Truth (2007) and An Inconvenient Sequel (2017) along with televised news programs and DVDs such as DAVOS and COP 27. Discussions and writings will be based on these viewings and readings. Finally, we will examine global issues from the perspective of developing countries and emerging economies as well as from advanced countries by watching programs and reading articles produced by the media in these different regions. By exploring global issues from many perspectives, the course will help students improve critical thinking skills and expand their media literacy.

Student Attainment Objectives

1.Students will become accustomed to reading substantial texts and improve skills for extensive readings.
2.Students will build basic vocabulary in the area of global issues and achieve a basic understanding of these issues.
3.Students will acquire academic integrity and will be able to know how to avoid plagiarism, then to be able to summarize and paraphrase the texts.
4.Students will achieve basic skills for academic presentations with visual aides.
5.Students will be exposed to a variety of media with different perspectives, thereby fostering critical thinking skills and media literacy.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1,2

Introduction to the course:
Three Modes of Persuasion: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos including evidence

An Inconvenient Truth-1 (DVD viewings, reading, and discussions)
Global Warming
Writing Assignment #1

3,4

An Inconvenient Truth-2/3 (DVD viewings, readings, and discussions)

Writing Assignment #2, #3
Vocabulary Quiz #1

5

An Inconvenient Truth-4 (DVD viewings, readings, and discussions) Writing

Assignment #4, Outline of An Inconvenient Truth
What we can learn from Al Gore’s presentation:
Rhetoric, Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Vocabulary Quiz #2

6,7

Chapter 3-4 (group presentations:1-2)

Electricity from the sun /Harvesting the wind
Short Quizzes #3・#4
Vocabulary Quiz #3

8,9

Chapter 5-6 (group presentations:3-4)

Soaking up geothermal energy
Growing fuel
Short Quizzes #5・#6
Vocabulary Quiz #4

10,11

Chapter 7-8 (group presentations:5-6)

Carbon capture and sequestration /The Nuclear Option
Short Quizzes #7・#8
Vocabulary Quiz #5

12,13

Chapter 9-10 (group presentations:7-8)

Forests / Soil
Short Quizzes #9・#10

14

Plagiarism, summarizing and paraphrasing including APA

Vocabulary Quiz #6

15

Paper Assignment #1 (1st draft of 1000 words)

Peer Review#1

16,17

"The Fallout"-1 / "The Fallout"-2

Writing Assignment #5
Writing Assignment #6

18

"The Fallout"-3

Writing Assignment #7
Vocabulary Quiz #7

19,20

Clashing Views on Environmental issues (readings and discussions)
“Nuclear Power? Yes, please” / "Five Myths about Nuclear Energy"

Writing Assignment #8
Writing Assignment #9
Vocabulary Quiz #8

21,22

Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society
(readings and discussions) / Davos 2021

Writing Assignment #10
Writing Assignment #11
Vocabulary Quiz #9

23,24

COP 27 and World Media: Research 1-2 +Group Discussion

World Newspapers and TV/Cable programs (Computer Room Reserved)
The U.S/The United Kingdom/Europe and Russia/Middle East/Japan/OtherAsian countries/Africa /Central and South America

25,26

COP 27 and World Media: Research 3 +Group Discussion

Each country in the assigned areas (Computer Room Reserved)
Vocabulary Quiz #10

27,28

Cop 27 and World Media: Report 1-2

Media Literacy and Critical Thinking
Assigned groups' presentations

29,30

Cop 27 and World Media: Report 3
Conclusion

An Inconvenient Sequence
Feedback
Paper Assignment #2 (Revised paper of 1,500 words)

Class Format

[BCP Level 1 or 2]
・In principle, all 15 weeks (15 classes for once a week course, 30 classes for twice a week course) will be face-to-face.
・When a student is unable to attend face-to-face classes due to any of the following conditions, web-based follow-up will be provided for all classes. Students who fall under this category should notify their instructor by the first class.
[Conditions for web-based follow-up]
(1) When a student has a pre-existing condition/underlying health condition.
(2) When it is difficult for a student to commute to university due to concerns over putting cohabiting
family members at risk.
(3) When a student is unable to enter Japan due to international travel restrictions.
(4) Other valid reasons when a student has been impacted by COVID-19 and is under an unavoidable situation for which they are not responsible for.
[BCP Level 3 or 4]
・All 15 weeks (15 or 30 classes) will be web-based (Live-Streamed, using ZOOM): 15 or 30 ZOOM live-streamed lectures at the designated class hours/periods (i.e., 15 live-streamed classes for the once-a-week courses; 30 live-streamed classes for the twice-a-week courses).
※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 “Measures to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475

Recommendations for Private Study

Due dates for vocabulary quizzes and writing assignments will be given in class and on the course tool.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written) 0

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)		 0

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Class participation 55%
(attendance, class and group discussions, vocabulary quizzes, short quizzes, writing assignments)
Group presentations (1st 15%, 2nd 10%) 25%
Term paper (1st Draft 10%, 2nd Draft 10% ) 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Students are required to submit two English essays related to the subject in this course.
Active participation in the course will also be highly regarded in grading.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Students are expected to participate in class and group discussions actively in English.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
OUR CHOICE: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis Al Gore Rodale ISBN978-1-59486-734-7

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Other reading materials will be assigned in class.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore Rodale ISBN1-59486-567-1
An inconvenient Sequence Al Gore Paramount ASIN:B074BL3TV9
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues Larry Loeppke Macmillan ISBN978-0-07-351446-8

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html