Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50968:[2025 Spring]Policy Studies 1 (EPS-A) (A) 2025 Spring Fri2 College　Of　Policy　Science CHEN DAVID 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS465

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This intermediate-level course examines some key policy science-related issues. Many of the themes are drawn from the UN Millennium Development Goals. Case studies and policies from different countries may be compared in order to gain a broad understanding of diverse and effective ways of dealing with common global issues. Basic political theories and philosophies with be studied in order to gain a deeper understanding of local and global issues. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to study so that students may begin to understand links between different issues. Students will research, discuss (face-to-face and online) and complete assignments on a variety of topics to be decided by or supervised by the instructor. This is an excellent course to prepare students for enrolling in a CRPS course, academic study abroad, seminar study in English, and to improve overall understanding of issues related to policy science.



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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
●learn how to analyse and compare policies and practices across nations
●gain critical thinking and analytical skills
●learn how to build logical arguments

<政策科学部学生のためのCEFR Can-Do listを参照のこと> [S(B2.1)], [L(B2.1], W(B2.1)]

Recommended Preparatory Course

Contemporary Issues in Policy Science I and 2 are recommended but not mandatory.

Students should practice listening, speaking, reading and writing in English as much as possible. You can listen to a recording in English and repeat in a spoken voice in order to practice pronunciation and fluency. You can also record your voice or make videos and then watch and try to improve pronunciation, expression and fluency.

Course Schedule

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

Class guidance

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1-4

SDG 1 (No poverty) and 3 (Good health and well-being)

A general look at poverty in selected areas of the world including Japan. A critical analysis of different policies concerned with each. Case studies on issues related to mental health and well-being and policies related to each.

5

Graded discussions.

Assessed discussions related to either SDG 1 or 3. Quiz given at beginning of class on material covered.

6-7

SDG 5 (Gender equality)

Comparing different policies at both a national and international level for people who live on the margins, the poor and those with mental or physical challenges, LGBT and foreign residents. Gender equality issues in Japan and other parts of the world.

Review of how and why visuals are useful.

8-9

Economic policies: who has it right?

Comparing different policies in the world related to the topic of consumer taxation, lack of equality in salary and employment, travel and business. Case studies of effective and innovative approaches.

10

Graded discussion with visual support.

Assessed discussions.

Quiz on SDG 5 and economic policies.

11-12

SDG 4 (Quality education)

Varying policies and case studies in the world related to education including Japan.

13

SDG 2 (Zero hunger)

Cases studies of hunger and related policies including Japan. Review of different types of research including surveys.

14

Final discussions.

Assessed discussion which include visuals. Final course feedback.

Class Format

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

Recommendations for Private Study

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. The use of English-English dictionaries (online or paper) is recommended to utilize existing English and to stimulate thinking in English and avoiding translating. Using research databases and other materials accessible through Ritsumeikan library is highly recommended.

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 bases on:

●Participation and preparation
● Homework assignments
● Skills tests
● Student presentations and written assignments

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

The instructor will give a more detailed course outline in the first week of class including topics for discussion, evaluation criteria and learning methods.

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.

The use of English-English dictionaries is recommended (online or paper) both to use English regularly in studying and enable critical and creative thinking in English.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

There is no textbook for this course. Handouts will be provided.

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

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