| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12752:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CA206 Bridge to International Studies II (Cultural Understanding)(RD) | 2025 | Spring | Thu1 | College Of International Relations | BONG HYUNKYUNG | 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.
<<<<<Course Outline>>>>>
Bridge to International Studies course (BIS) is designed to be a “bridge” between language- acquisition-oriented learning in the 1st year (English for International Stuides) and "regular" content courses carried out in English in the 3rd year. BIS I (ICU) course is a content-based course on International Cultural Understanding and promotes the acquisition of all four skills whilst exploring key concepts in ICU program course. Students are challenged to problematize “common sense” assumptions about social life and ideal methods to promote solidarity in human history. Class activities include: group work and panel discussion; presentations, debates, and whole class discussion; clear expression of ideas and reactions through the writing of essays, journal entries, quiz answers, summaries, and other forms of writing such as note- taking. Formative evaluation is made through class participation, including small quizzes and assignments.
This BIS (Bridge to International Studies) II (RD: Basic) is a combination of English Academic Communication skills and the study of culture and communication - Intercultural Communication. As for English academic skills development, it is designed as an introduction to the basic concepts and skills for improving communication between persons from different minority, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. As for the contents of the course, it is designed to help you understand aspects of culture & communication,-intercultural communication, introducing the basic concepts and specialized vocabulary of culture and communication.
<<<<<Method>>>>>
Students will analyse and evaluate assigned reading for contents, structure, facts and opinion language use, implied meaning and contradictions, outside the class. Each student is expected to complete reading assignments before class (homework). In class, students will present a summary of their understanding, comparing opposing viewpoints and expressing their own standpoint supported by evidence from the text or other relevant outside sources.
Class activities will include lectures, group discussions on the topic, two or three presentations based on the project (s) (topics) of your choice, and revisions (quizzes) on basic concepts (definitions) and terms (jargons) in the studies of 'culture and Communication: Intercultural Communication'
Student Attainment Objectives
<<<<<Attainment Objectives>>>>>
1 Students will be able to understand the main ideas and most details about international cultural understanding from lectures and student contributions during whole-class and group discussion and summarize them in English.
2 Students will be able to speak about these ideas confidently in class during presentations and group discussions. They will be able to ask questions of presenters and engage in classroom dialogue and conversations about these ideas and details.
3. Students will be able to apply and connect the knowledge they acquire in class to current world events.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to produce an well structured essay (approximately 1000+ words), showing evidence of further reading and not rely upon the textbook (A list of references-APA style- should be included, and demonstrating not only that they have understood the key concepts discussed in the course but also need to show that they have formed their own opinion which must be supported by reasons and examples and expressed clearly.
Recommended Preparatory Course
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/technic/technic08.html/#technic08-01
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/language/language08.html/
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1 | Orientation (Syllabus) & Culture is |
Account of Assignments: Reading Assignment, Presentation Assignment, Writing Assignment
|
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| 2 | Essentialism & Non Essentialism |
Definition, Compare and Contrast
|
|
| 3 | Non Essentialism & Socialisation (Enculturation) |
Descriptive, Argumentative
|
|
| 4 | Cultural Identity & Cultural Hybridity |
Classification
|
|
| 5 | Cultural Hybridity & Stereotype |
Compare & Contrast, Descriptive
|
|
| 6 | Representation & Time and Culture |
cause and effect
|
|
| 7 | Time andCulture & Discourse |
Various types of paragraphs
|
|
| 8 | Review & Reaction Paper |
Preparing for Writing an Essay
|
|
| 9 | Collectivism and Individualism & Masculine and Feminine Culture |
-Compare & Contrast
|
|
| 10 | Masculine and Feminine Culture & -context Culture and Low-context Culture |
Compare & Contrast
|
|
| 11 | Power-Distance & Globalization and Cultural Identity |
Compare & Contrast
|
|
| 12 | Final Essay Writing; Outlining |
Presenting & Peer Review
|
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| 13 | Final Essay Writing: Drafting & Revising |
Peer Review
|
|
| 14 | The Finals |
The Finals - Part I - Poster/Oral presentation
|
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
1 Questions/Quotes (student generated questions): To help guide our discussions, please bring typed questions and or quotes from the assigned reading. These questions and quotes should be explored in advance (before submitting) whether you agree or disagree with. Class discussions will be based on student-generated questions. I shall provide some quotes and questions if necessary.
2 Participation/Discussion: Discussion-participation is a vitally important component of the class. Throughout the semester, you will be asked to participate actively in the form of class discussions, case study analyses, and reflections about your experience or your thoughts on topic related questions.
3 Quizzes: Quizzes may include reviewing English expressions (words and phrases) from the reading material, comprehension multiple choice questions, true-false questions, short answers, and essay questions drawn from the lecture and discussions based on the topic in class.
4 Presentation (Oral & Poster) Practice: You will be expected to present and exchange insights, observation, and ideas (opinions) actively with your classmates in either small group or whole class discussions.
5 Writing Assignments: To help you figure out main ideas and opinions in the form of research questions implicated in the assigned research papers, and to equip you with ability to formulate research questions of your own, please analyse a research paper of your choice from the papers assigned, and write a 1000+ word essay (research paper) on a topic of your choice, integrating a wide range of academic sources, and present your findings in the form of substantial academic paper accompanied by a conference-ready oral/poster presentation.
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 | Questions/Quotes/Participation-Discussion/Presentation Practices/ Quizzes (50%)
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
(2) Keep up with the assignments and do not fall behind (Meeting the deadline/Time Management);
(3) Read (understand) the designated readings in the textbook thoroughly (Preview).
(4) Make vocabulary notes and terminology notes (Organizing Skills).
(5) Make notes on quotes that you do not understand, and form questions or explain why you find it difficult to understand or unsure in 2-3 sentences. (Preview, Critical Thinking Skills)
(6) Type/copy quotes from the reading that either you are interested or you really disagree with. (Critical Thinking Skills, Academic Communication Skills)
Textbooks
| Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN Code | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring Landscapes of Culture & Communication | Ruddick, M., Pryor, S. and Kusaka, JA | shohakusya | 978488198 |
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN Code | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Stepts to Writing Research Papers | David Kluge, Matthew Taylor | Cengage Learning ELT | 978-4-86312-308-3 | |
| Student Research and Report Writing | Gabe Wang & Keumjae Park | Wiley Blackwell | 978-1-118-96391-3 |
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Web Pages for Reference
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/technic/technic08.html/#technic08-01
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/language/language08.html/
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Other Comments
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/