| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12742:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CA203 Bridge to International Studies I (Cultural Understanding)(RE) | 2025 | Spring | Tue1 | College Of International Relations | FRENCH KAORI | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.
The purpose of this course is three-fold: (1) to promote the acquisition of English proficiency through practice, (2) to explore topics related to cultural understanding, and (3) to help students form opinions logically based on the supplied reading extracts and/or their own research.
Students are required to read the supplied reading extracts and do weekly assignments (prepare short written passages for in-class speaking practice and individual research paper) before class. The in-class activity involves vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs based on the weekly assignments, mini lectures, and pair/group discussions. Through these activities, students are expected to improve their command of English and also familiarize themselves with their topic-related vocabulary. At the end of this course, students are also required to do a 5 to 6-minute final presentation and submit a 1000-word research paper on one of the three themes used in this course: religion, languages, and food culture. The paper will be written using the supplied reading extracts and/or independent research.
This is a student-led class. Students’ active participation is expected.
Student Attainment Objectives
2. Students will be able to apply and connect the knowledge they acquire in class to current world events.
3. Students will write a research paper in APA style.
4. Students will engage in discussions in English.
5. Students will conduct presentations in English.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1 | Course introduction |
Outline, policies, and student introduction.
|
|
| 2 | Theme 1: Religion |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 3 | Theme 1: Religion |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 4 | Theme 2: Languages |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 5 | Theme 2: Languages |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 6 | Paper preparation 1 |
Narrowing a topic, instructions on final research paper, a review of credible sources, and individual paper preparation |
|
| 7 | Research paper analysis and paper preparation 2 |
A review of paragraph writing, paper structure, introduction, and individual paper preparation |
|
| 8 | Research paper analysis and paper preparation 3 |
In-text citations and reference list in the APA style, and individual paper preparation |
|
| 9 | Theme 3: Food culture |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 10 | Theme 3: Food culture |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion |
|
| 11 | Research paper analysis and paper preparation 4 |
Conclusion, editing, and Q&A |
|
| 12 | Final presentations |
Individual final presentations |
|
| 13 | Final presentations |
Individual final presentations |
|
| 14 | Final presentations and research paper submission |
Individual final presentations, wrap-up and research paper submission |
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
The reading material will be supplied in class.
2) Students will prepare:
- written passages for in-class speaking practice on a weekly basis
- a final presentation (5 to 6 mins) in Week 12, 13, or 14.
- a 1000-word research paper in APA style by Week 14
3) Instructions for each assignment will be communicated in class and via manaba+R.
Be sure to check manaba+R regularly.
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind | Percentage | Grading Criteria etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Final Examination (Written) | ||
| Report Examination (A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
||
| Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment (Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 | Weekly assignments: 30%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
2) Use of AI and plagiarism will be treated as academic dishonesty and will severely negatively influence your grade. (The details on the rules will be explained in class.)
3) 5 absences and/or late arrivals will result in failure of the class.
4) Students are expected to do all the assignments before class. Students who have not prepared well before class will suffer grade penalties and may cause trouble to other students.
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
2) When you miss a class, you need to contact either the instructor or your classmates about assignments in order to catch up.
3) Please don't hesitate to ask questions to the instructor in English (or in Japanese outside of class time).
Textbooks
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
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)
Other Comments
1) Bring your own laptop or tablet to every class. (Use of smartphones is not permitted.)
2) The course schedule is subject to change based on student needs. Any such changes will be clearly communicated to students in class and via manaba+R.
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/