Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15153:IR18‐BA104 English for International Studies IV (Advanced)(RG) § 15154:IR-BAS104 Academic English IV (A) § 15155:IR-BAR104 English Ⅳ (G) 2022 Fall Tue2,Fri1 College　Of　International　Relations HARPER JULIA 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY205/RYOYUKAN　RY205

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course is for students with a high advanced level of English ability and will focus on academic writing skills, although reading, speaking, and listening skills will also receive attention. Main tasks will include various writing assignments, the writing of an academic paper, a group research project, reading and summarizing articles, and short discussions and presentations. Emphasis will be placed on active participation while thinking and writing critically about various themes relevant to international relations.

The class format will depend on the covid-19 pandemic situation and will be announced before the fall term.


   

Student Attainment Objectives

In this course, students should expand their ability to work both as individuals and in groups, learn to better express themselves in writing (journals and academic writing assignments) and in discussions or presentations, develop the skills needed to research and write an academic paper, and master the basic rules for using references and citations in APA style. Students will also be encouraged to further develop critical thinking skills by looking at various issues from different points of view.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Students should have completed English II in the first term.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
Week 1, Classes1〜2

Course explanation; Review paper assignment

Review basic writing skills, paragraphing, topic sentences, questions and answers

Week 2, Classes 3〜4

Academic honesty 1: Paraphrasing and summarizing

 Plagiarism (copy/paste), translation software, acceptable and unacceptable paraphrasing, references and citations, quotations

Week 3, Classes 5〜6

Introduction to final paper; Topic choice; Research skills; Research outlines

Models and examples, research outlines and papers, organizing a paper, academic sources: books, journals, Internet, peer support for short paper assignment

Week 4, Classes 7〜8

Academic honesty 2; References and citations

 APA style review, useful resources, references and citations in detail, quotations, edited books

Week 5, Classes 9〜10

 Literature reviews

Organization, logical order, topic sentences, language use

Week 6, Classes 11〜12

Data and statistics

Graphs and charts, examples, relevant language use and punctuation, writing numbers, percentages, and decimals, explanation, clarity, sources

Week 7, Classes 13〜14

Introductions; Thesis sentences, Plan sentences

Opening, background, general-specific paragraphs, thesis and plan sentences

Week 8, Classes 15〜16

Discussion section of a paper; Critical thinking

Summarizing, analyzing and explaining, expressing opinions, making arguments and suggestions, point of view, language use

Week 9, Classes 17〜18

Presentations and discussion I (1/2 the class students)

Visuals, delivery, question and answer, reviewing, journal writing, sharing information, making suggestions, peer editing

Week 10, Classes 19〜20

Presentations and discussion II (1/2 the class students)

Visuals, delivery, question and answer, reviewing, journal writing, sharing information, making suggestions, peer editing

Week 11, Classes 21〜22

Conclusions; Language use

Summarizing, past versus present perfect, number, transition expressions, peer editing, checklists

Week 12, Classes 23〜24

Peer editing; Language use; Introduction to primary research

Academic language use, tense and aspect, dependent and independent clauses, run-on sentences, peer support, checklists, primary research versus secondary research

Week 13, Classes 25〜26

Primary research group project I: Research questions, research methods, creating questionnaires

Brainstorming, choosing a topic, research questions, participants, creating questionnaires, piloting questionnaires

Week 14, Classes 27〜28

Primary research group project II: Analyzing data and creating graphs and charts

Grounded theory, graphs, explaining results/findings, interviewing, organizing a report

Week 15, Classes 29〜30

Primary research group project III: Sharing research findings

Presenting results, making claims, asking and answering questions

Class Format

The class format will depend on the covid-19 pandemic situation and will be announced before the fall term.

[BCP Level 1 or 2]
・In principle, all 15 weeks (15 classes for once a week course, 30 classes for twice a week course) will be face-to-face.
・When a student is unable to attend face-to-face classes due to any of the following conditions, web-based follow-up will be provided for all classes. Students who fall under this category should notify their instructor by the first class.

[Conditions for web-based follow-up]
(1) When a student has a pre-existing condition/underlying health condition.
(2) When it is difficult for a student to commute to university due to concerns over putting cohabiting
family members at risk.
(3) When a student is unable to enter Japan due to international travel restrictions.
(4) Other valid reasons when a student has been impacted by COVID-19 and is under an unavoidable situation for which they are not responsible for.


[BCP Level 3 or 4]
・All 15 weeks (15 or 30 classes) will be web-based (Live-Streamed, using ZOOM): 15 or 30 ZOOM live-streamed lectures at the designated class hours/periods (i.e., 15 live-streamed classes for the once-a-week courses; 30 live-streamed classes for the twice-a-week courses).

※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 “Measures to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475

Recommendations for Private Study

 Preparing for written assignments and presentations outside of class will be essential, and some assignments will require in-depth research. Class time will be reserved for explanations, examples, peer editing, questions and discussion. Details will be provided in class.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written) 0

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)		 0

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Class participation (20%)
Journals (20%)
Review paper (10%)
    * target word count of 800-1000 words
Presentation (10%)
Final paper (30%)
     *target word count of 1200 words
Primary research group project (10%)
    * approximately 800 words, plus graphs and charts
    

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Attendance is essential as important information about the required writing style for the various assignments will be provided in every lecture. Deadlines for written assignments must be respected, and some assessment will take place in the classroom. Journals will be used for paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting and other important practice, so are an important component of the class. Students are advised not to fall behind and to contact the instructor in the case of absence.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Details to be provided in class.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No textbook. Students will receive necessary materials in the form of handouts.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Details to be provided in class.

Web Pages for Reference

Details to be provided in class.

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

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

Other Comments

Writing is an important skill and can also be enjoyable!
【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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html