Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
14965:IR18‐CB101 Academic Skills I (Proficient) (RA) § 14966:RUIR-1101 Academic Skills I (Proficient)(RA) 2023 Spring Mon4,Thu1 College　Of　International　Relations TREBILCO PETER WAYNE 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY306/RYOYUKAN　RY306

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The aim of Academic Skills I is to familiarize students with theories, historical developments and current issues in the field of International Relations while developing their reading and critical thinking skills. In class, students will analyze and evaluate assigned readings for content, structure, facts and opinion, language use, implied meaning and contradictions, compare opposing viewpoints and express their own standpoint supported by evidence from the text or other relevant outside sources. Class activities may include group discussions, oral presentations, formal debates as well as units on rhetoric, grammar refresher spotlights and short response papers. The focus of this course is on developing students’ conceptual background, power of analysis, and sense of diversity. Formative evaluation is performed through class participation, including small quizzes and assignments as well as one or more essays, papers, and presentations, based on a rubric that targets each skill.
Face to face classes unless COVID provisions are invoked.
The main effort this semester is to prepare a well-crafted academic research paper on an IR related topic of interest to the student. The many stages of a research paper will be dealt with individually and in detail, with heavy emphasis on peer-review to help students to improve their writing. The end result will be a publishable research paper of 2500 words, on an IR-related topic.

Student Attainment Objectives

1. Students will be able to read academic and professional literature in the field of International Relations from a critical perspective, interpret it appropriately against a multicultural backdrop, and integrate information gleaned from the reading into their knowledge base to be used in subsequent assignments, further study or work-related tasks.
2. Students will be able to respond to readings in speaking and writing, making reference to specific questions, issues or points, using appropriate terminology and demonstrating in-depth understanding of the reading in relation to its significance for theories, history and/or current events in the field of International Relations.
3. Students will be able to apply a range of reading strategies on the textual, paragraph and sentence level, use syntactic and semantic cues to aid in local and global understanding, and employ cross-referencing to relate the text to its environment.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction
Explore Unit 1 - What is a research paper?

A comprehensive overview of the structure of the course, its aims and learning objectives
Introductions and initial English competence assessment
Explore the idea of a research paper
How an orange helps you research! (Group Work)

Week 2 Sessions 3-4

Part 1 Pre-writing - Preparation and Research
Unit 2: Topics

Follow the approved text
Homework: Choose a topic for your final research paper

Week 3 Sessions 5-6

Part 1 Pre-writing - Preparation and Research
Unit 3: Research

Follow the approved text - we're looking for a question to answer.
Homework: Identify five primary references related to your topic and upload them to Manaba.

Week 4 Sessions 7-8

Part 2 Organising - Putting the Ideas and Parts in Order
Unit 4: The Beginning Thesis Statement

Follow the approved text.
Homework: Write a thesis statement for your research paper and upload it to Manaba.

Week 5 Sessions 9-10

Part 2 Organising - Putting the Ideas and Parts in Order
Unit 5: The Working Outline

Follow the approved text.
Homework: Prepare an outline of your research paper and upload it to Manaba

Week 6 Sessions 11-12

Part 2 Organising - Putting the Ideas and Parts in Order
Unit 6: Revising the Thesis Statement and Working Outline

Follow the approved text
Homework: Revise the thesis statement and outline of your research paper
Start to write the first of at least tree body paragraphs

Week 7 Sessions 13-14

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 7: Writing the First Draft

Follow the approved text
Homework: Write the first draft of your research paper
Continue to write the first of at least tree body paragraphs.

Week 8 Sessions 15-16

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 8: Writing the Title

Follow the approved text
Homework: Select a title for your research paper

Week 9 Sessions 17-18

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 9: Writing the Introduction

Follow the approved text
Homework: Write an introductory paragraph for your research paper

Week 10 Sessions 18-20

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 10: Support, Accuracy, Logic and Relevance

Follow the approved text
Homework: Review your research paper for supporting ideas and evidence, for accuracy, for logical flow, and for relevance
Start to write the introductory paragraph and prepare to upload it to Manaba

Week 11 Sessions 21-22

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 11: Writing the Body

Follow the approved text
Homework: Write at least three body paragraphs for your research paper

Week 12 Sessions 23-24

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 12: Writing the Conclusion

Follow the approved text
Homework: Write a conclusion for your research paper and upload it to Manaba

Week 13 Sessions 25-26

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 13: Avoiding Plagiarism - Citing and Quoting Sources

Follow the approved text
Homework: Check your research paper for plagiarism, and for accurate sourcing and citation (APA 6)

Week 14 Sessions 27-28

Part 3 Writing - Writing the First Draft
Unit 14: Writing the Reference List

Follow the approved text
Homework: Write a reference list for your research paper (a bibliography)
Edit and rewrite your paper

Week 15 Sessions 29-30

Part 4 Evaluating and Re-Writing - Checking Your Paper and Writing Revised Drafts
Unit 15: Evaluating and Re-Writing Your Paper

Follow the approved text
Homework: Revise your paper and re-write it in preparation for handing it in

All classes will be face to face in the assigned classroom. Academic Skills 1 is assigned Period 4 on Mondays (1440-1610) and Period 1 on Thursdays (0900-1030).

Class Format

BCP停止の場合は、BCPレベル0～2の記載どおりに授業が行われます。
During the suspension period of BCP, classes will be as described in BCP levels 0-2.

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

College of IR Student Page：https://ct.ritsumei.ac.jp/ct/course_1728150
Study Support Site：https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/eng/

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2023 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students should read widely and discuss their views in groups with peers. Always seek to understand various points of similarity and difference in various theories of international relations as they apply to current events and issues.
Read newspapers, watch television, listen to the radio. Students should try to apply their understanding of the theories of international relations to current events in international relations.

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

5% Participation
10% Five references (2% each)
15% Relevant thesis statement
10% Research paper outline
5% Introductory Paragraph (250 words)
25% Body Paragraphs (5% each) (350 words each)
5% Concluding Paragraph (500 words
25% Research Paper (2500 words +- 10%)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

The assessment comprises a range of major inputs to a research paper.
Each step is important, and students will develop the academic skill of building a research paper based on a relevant IR topic. Feedback along the way will encourage and lead students to the final research paper, consisting of the several parts practised throughout the semester.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Any reading material used on this course will be provided by the teacher by means of posting on the Ritsumeikan OneDrive. Students will be advised when material has been uploaded and will be given full access to OneDrive. Students may be required to read a small amount of material in preparation for each class.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Basic steps to writing research papers 2nd edition Kluge & Taylor Cengage 9784863123083

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)

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:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/