| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12748:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CA205 Bridge to International Studies II (Cooperation & Development)(RC) | 2025 | Spring | Thu1 | 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 objective of this course is to familiarize students with some of the major themes within International Cooperation and Development while using English. This will be done through introducing key concepts and topic-related vocabulary, and giving students opportunities to express critically formed opinions in English. This class introduces an overview of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and then examines some environmental topics in relation to the SDGs.
Class activities will include vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs based on the weekly assignments, mini lectures, and pair/group discussions, and the development of student research projects related to one of the environmental SDGs topics used in this class. At the end of this course students are required to do a 5 to 6-minute final presentation and submit a 1000-word term paper on their research project.
This class is a student-led class. Students’ active participation is expected.
Student Attainment Objectives
2. Students will be able to read with a critical attitude that evaluates content from multiple points of view in English.
3. Students will be able to form a research question, investigate it, and write coherent texts to report on their findings in English.
Recommended Preparatory Course
- It is strongly recommended to watch and listen to the news related to the environmental SDGs on international media, such as in the Japan Times, the Economist, the Financial Times, the New York Times, and on the BBC. In addition, it is recommended to start to explore which topic will be of interest for your research project.
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1 | Course introduction |
Outline, policies, and student introduction.
|
|
| 2 | Overview of the SDGs |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 3 | Climate change 1 |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 4 | Climate change 2 |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 5 | Energy issues |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 6 | Paper preparation 1 |
Instructions on final paper, a review of credible sources and the APA style, and individual paper preparation |
|
| 7 | Paper preparation 2 |
A review of paragraph writing, paper structure, introduction, and individual paper preparation |
|
| 8 | Water management |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 9 | Food waste management |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 10 | Microplastic and ecosystems/E-waste management |
Vocabulary check, speaking practice in pairs, mini lecture, and group discussion and/or development of student research project |
|
| 11 | Paper preparation 3 |
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 time will suffer grade penalties and also 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 homework 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/