Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12749:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CA206 Bridge to International Studies II (Cultural Understanding)(RA) 2025 Spring Thu2 College　Of　International　Relations KIM WACHUTKA JACKIE J 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY309

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
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.

In the age of globalization, the world and its many frontiers have become larger and yet at the same time undeniably smaller. As people across nations and borders become increasingly more connected, there are also attempts to define, differentiate and identify one’s “own” “culture”, “tradition” and “way of life” that delineates the two entities of “us” and “them”. Within the milieu of migratory movements, immigration, emigration and temporary sojourn and domicile, how do we define local and global, micro and macro communities? What role does nation, ethnicity, race, and citizenship play in the concept of multiculturalism? Where do we belong and how do we position ourselves within the emergence and growth of multiculturalism?
The presence of various minority groups, who seek to find their voice and place within nation-states, challenges the founding myth of societies. Who are minorities? What are the specifics of their particular histories and how do they narrate their lived experiences as peoples on the fringes of society. What are the problems that they encounter and what are the issues that matter? This course examines the multifaceted lives of minorities, their battles and struggles in defining their identities, fighting for their rights, as well as their pursuit for a more just, fair, and civil society.

Student Attainment Objectives

We will examine various writings that depict and discuss minority issues through historical analysis, socio-cultural impact and political activism. First, we will closely read basic theoretical discussions of personhood, self-concept and identity. We will then analyze specific minority groups and identities in various nations and nation-states – their formation, development and transition in a society that faces an increasingly diverse and multi-ethnic population.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

+R Jugyo
Orientation Video
-Discussion of Course
-Questions of self, identity and society
One of the most important endeavors in our lives, no matter who or where we come from, is pondering upon the questions of self, identity, and the society that we live in. Needless to say, these are extremely broad concepts that can be thought of, interpreted, assessed, and explained in numerous ways. Write in a free-style format, your own thoughts about these concepts and their interconnection and relationship.

Questions of self, identity and society

2-2

Lecture: How do you define society? How is society formed?

Society, Structures of society. Write and discuss.
Share in groups in class.

3-3

Watch video clip on society, constraints, agency.


Defining culture, culture as a system, society.
Make groups to present on a theme of interest.

4-4

Watch Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes Experiment video. How is society, culture, and images created?
Discuss in groups
-Short quiz

Understanding the individual and society. Structure, action, agency

5-5

-Lecture on Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity: Read Shepard & Greene (2002, pp.275-289)
Read and summarize for Homework. Share in class.

Race, ethnicity, stereotypes, discrimination, hate.

6-6

- Discussion of Shepard and Greene.
-Prepare for short Midterm Test.

Race, ethnicity, stereotypes, discrimination, hate.
Short group presentation starts

7-7

Group Presentation

Culture, society, discrimination, stereotypes

8-8

Group Presentation

Group presentation on topics of interest pertaining to Culture, society, discrimination, stereotypes

9-9

Multiculturalism and its definitions from Ali Rattansi's Short Introduction. Read for homework
-Discuss Rattansi’s definition of multiculturalism.
-Final Research Presentation Discussion.

Multiculturalism and its definitions

10-10

Multicultural and Intercultural: Lectuer and discussion

Multicultural societies, intercultural definitions, polarization and pillarization

11-11

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion

12-12

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion

13-13

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion
Final Test Review and Discussion

Final Research Presentation, Q&A, Discussion
Final Test Review and Discussion

14-14

Final Test
Class Wrap-up

Final Test of all readings and video clips

Class Format

All classes are to be conducted face to face; however, in the case of an emergency the instructor may elect to provide online (live-streamed) classes provided that the maximum number of online classes remains less than 1/2 of the total number of classes for the specified course. If an instructor does conduct a live-streamed class, then the link will be posted on Manaba+R.

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 must keep up with the intensive reading and be prepared for periodic surprise reading tests. Do not procrastinate, read, take notes during lectures and discussions and maintain an organized notebook.

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

•Class participation (Homework submissions, active discussions, short quiz) 20%
•Group Presentation 20%
•Final Paper (Approximately 1,500 words) 30%
•Final Presentation [PowerPoint Presentation] 30%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

• Attendance and class participation through submitting homework and taking part in discussions is crucial.

• Groups will present on their topic of interest pertaining to a theme on culture, stereotypes, discrimination, multicultural societies.
• Final Individual Presentation
Final individual presentation includes the following elements:
a) PowerPoint highlighting important points
b) Oral Presentation
• Final Paper will be approximately 1,500 words and will be directly related to the final presentation topic.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Students are required to keep up with current events. The four academic skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing are honed through note-taking during lectures and presentations of reading materials, active discussions and debates and peer questioning.

[Important Note]
***Course studies and submission of assignments will be conducted via manaba+R.
***“Reading materials” will be uploaded on Manaba and submissions will be made through the same portals.
*** This is a tentative schedule and changes may occur according to circumstances and levels of students.
*** Attendance will be taken through Manaba. All important submissions such as homework, quiz, tests will be explained in full detail in class.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Culture and Identity Kidd, W. & Teagle, A. Palgrave Macmillan 9780230281028
Multiculturalism: A Very Short Introduction Rattansi, A. Oxford University Press 12003250852
The Ethnicity Reader Guibernau, M. & Rex, J. Polity Press 9780745647012
Local Citizenship in Recent Countries of Immigration Tsuda, T. Lexington Books 9780745647012
Global Sociology Cohen, R. Kennedy, P. Palgrave Macmillan 9780745647012
Sociology and You Shepard, J. & Greene, R. McGraw-Hill 978-0078285769
Introduction to Contemporary Social Theory Elliott, A. & Lemert C. Routledge 978-0-415-52572-5

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)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Depending on circumstances, whether there will be an oral presentation will be discussed with the students at the beginning of the semester
【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/