Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50958:[2025 Spring]Academic Workshop (EPS-A) (A) 2025 Spring Fri3 College　Of　Policy　Science CHEN DAVID 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS459

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

In this introductory course, students will examine and compare different approaches to policy used in Japan and other countries. A variety of policy issues will be chosen by the instructor related to the environment, human rights, politics, health, culture, globalization, economics, education, gender and society. Students will learn how to write descriptive, compare/contrast, and persuasive style short research-based academic essays using in-text citations and referencing. This class will be conducted 100% in English. This class will be very useful for students interested in enrolling in a CRPS course, study abroad, or preparing for a field research project in a foreign country during their second academic year.



Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.

Student Attainment Objectives

The aims of this course are to:
●improve communicative competency and confidence in speaking English
● improve listening, reading and writing skills in English
●increase English vocabulary
●attain an awareness and understanding of regional/global social and policy issues
●learn academic essay writing styles and research skills
●learn basics of how to cite and reference research, as well as how to avoid plagiarism
 
＜政策科学部学生のためのCEFR Can-Do listを参照のこと＞
[W(B1-B2.1)], [S(B1-2.1)]

Recommended Preparatory Course

Students should practice listening, speaking, reading and writing in English as much as possible. Students
can listen to a recording in English and repeat in a spoken voice in order to practice pronunciation and
fluency.

Course Schedule

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

Class guidance

【+R-Jugyo】Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.

1-4

Environmental and education policies

Polices may include: recycling; plastic bag usage/ban; pet bottle usage; traffic pollution control; downtown city design; cell phone free areas; energy shortage; urban bicycle planning; green spaces

Case studies and policies related to education including Japan. The latter may include: high school dress code policies; yutori education; university education tuition policies; single-gender education; foreign language education; technology; alternative education

5-7

Social/welfare policies

Polices may include: food banks; homelessness; poverty; same sex marriage; equal access toilets (gender identity); maternity/paternity leave; child daycare for working parents; sexual harassment/domestic violence; poverty; immigration; foreigner support;

8-10

Economic policies

Polices may include: consumer goods taxation; gender equity in employment; pension; age of majority; Olympics; aging populations (immigration); privatization; minimum wage; tourism; AirBnB

11-13

Public policies

Polices may include: women-only train cars; smoke-free areas; vaccinations; tobacco control; school nutrition; drug and alcohol; social exclusion; public art. Final Review of Key Concepts

14

Sustainable cities' policies.

Policies may include housing development, use of open-spaces, renewable energy, waste disposal, 'greening' areas.

Class Format

1. Conduct face to face classes from lecture 1 to 14.

Recommendations for Private Study

English-English learner’s dictionaries (either paper or online) are useful to help you think directly in
English and avoid translating. This is a good way to practice and build new vocabulary. To keep track of
contemporary issues and improve your English language skills, access English news publications, e.g.
Japan Times, the Asahi Shimbun, Japan Today https://japantoday.com/, as well as BBC Learning English
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/ and NHK News 7 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/

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

Continuous assessments may be based on:

• Writing and research assignments
• Participation
• Homework assignments

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

The instructor will give a more detailed course outline in the first or second week of class including topics for discussion, evaluation criteria and learning methods. The schedule and focus may be different than the topics listed in the weekly schedule in this syllabus.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

If you do not understand the teacher’s instructions make sure you ask for clarification. Teachers want to support their students whenever and however they can. Make sure you are prepared for each class but if for some reason you cannot do your homework please attend class anyway. The time you spend in the class is very important to your learning and improving.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

To be announced by the instructor.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

To be announced by the instructor.

Web Pages for Reference

To be announced by the instructor.

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