| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15453:Special Lectures in English(High-Intermediate) (JA) § 15454:Special Lectures in English(High-Intermediate) (JA) | 2024 | Spring | Tue3 | College Of Law | GARNETT KATE ALICE | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
【Class Content】
Despite the different contexts in which people around the world live, a shared experience of modern humankind is the influence of politics on each of our lives. Both progress in humane goals, such as collective liberation, and setbacks and challenges in moving towards an egalitarian world, such as war, accompany a comprehensive understanding of politics. In this class, we will explore these dialects foundationally as well as contextually, creating an understanding of how and why politics are deeply intertwined in our lives on micro and macro levels. We will explore the influence of politics through themes as war, music and fashion, the personal choices we make, and more.
The ultimate purpose of this course is to experience excitement and empowerment through gaining a critical understanding of politics. Through self-expression, mapping the rapidly changing trends in modern politics, and developing the skills to objectively analyze them, this class guides learners towards a comprehensive understanding of the role of politics in their lives, as well as the many ways to become a changemaker or agent of change.
Even if you are learning about politics for the first time, the instructor will provide classes that you can feel at ease in, so please remember to be intellectually curious and attend each class.
The contents of the class may be changed depending on the interests of the
students and the political events of the time. Some adjustments may be made to the course
schedule/topics, which are subject to change. Feedback on assignments will be given in class, on Manaba, or though a Google Document Portfolio, which will be discussed in class.
Keywords: politics, international politics, human rights, war, peace, changemaking, change, English, empowerment
Student Attainment Objectives
2. By learning about the dialects of politics and political systems in our international world, students will understand the various political issues facing modern societies, and acquire critical thinking and changemaking skills
3. Students will gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills and will work
cooperatively to reach consensus on strategies pertaining to political issues, changemaking, and human rights.
4. Students will be empowered as changemakers, equipped with a strong foundation in political changemaking strategies, and will demonstrate their knowledge in an expose.
5. Students will improve their English language skills through speaking, listening, reading, writing, and engaging in English media.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| Week 1 | Course Introduction: What are politics? |
Course overview, expectations, and self-introductions
|
|
| Week 2 | What are “Nations” and “Governments”? |
Learn the conditions for being recognized as a “nation” and discuss what the roles / responsibilities of a government are /should be.
|
|
| Week 3 | Who Runs Politics? What is political activism? |
What are political parties? What are the roles of politicians? What does it mean to be politically active? What is populism?
|
|
| Week 4 | Why do wars and conflicts occur? |
Who starts a war and what are the factors of war?
|
|
| Week 5 | What are international relations? What is the United Nations? |
What are the roles and responsibilities of the United Nations? How is the U.N. responding to current global conflicts? Negotiations, compromises, and political Alliances Vs. war.
|
|
| Week 6 |
|
Recognizing personal biases: how does nationalism affect the way we think? How does nationalism affect International Relations?
|
|
| Week 7 | Changemakers (Nonviolent protests & educational campaigns) |
Activity /discussion: Understanding different ways of being an agent of change
|
|
| Week 8 | Changemakers (Revolutions) |
Understanding the connection between revolutions, ideologies, and politics.
|
|
| Week 9 | Changemakers (Community Organization & outreach) |
Understanding different ways of being an agent of change
|
|
| Week 10 | Changemakers (Voting & organization) |
Recognizing politics’ influence on voting / politics. Understanding voting systems.
|
|
| Week 11 | Changemakers (Debating & political activism) |
Political activism & debate: what are people debating now?
|
|
| Week 12 | Changemakers (Personal choice) |
Understanding different ways of being an agent of change: personal choice and advocacy
|
|
| Week 13 | Introduction to final presentations |
Student brainstorming and research: analyze journals and prepare for exposé |
|
| Week 14 | Final presentations, exposé part 1 |
Exposé part 1 & group discussions and feedback
|
|
| Week 15 | Final presentations, exposé part 2 |
Exposé part 2 & group discussions and feedback
|
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
You should prepare to spend approximately 2 hours a week outside of class reviewing class content, completing assignments, and self-studying with reading references. Please take accountability
for your learning by keeping up with assignments. All assignments, reading materials, media, and recommended readings will be provided by the teacher in class.
Your attitude in participation, cooperation with others, as well as presentation skills, and your final portfolio and exposé will be evaluated. At the end of this course, you are required to submit a final written
“portfolio.” The instructor will explain more about this task in class.
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 | Final exposé presentations: 25%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
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
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html