Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15164:IR18‐BA104 English for International Studies IV (Intermediate)(RL) § 15165:IR-BAR104 English Ⅳ (L) 2022 Fall Tue2,Fri1 College　Of　International　Relations NISHIKAWA TOSHIKI 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY306/RYOYUKAN　RY306

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The aim of English for International Studies is to develop a high-level command of English which allows students to deepen their knowledge of International Relations. The class is an intermediate English communications course for non-native English speakers with the primary theme to develop the student’s ability in day-to-day and academic English to communicate domestically and internationally. Emphasis will be given to appropriate word choices, varied sentence patterns, clear organizational patterns, and English as a lingua franca. Although all four skills-speaking, reading, listening, and writing will duly incorporate in discussions on topics of international and local relevance. Students will also develop academic and professional speaking skills such as discussion, debates, and presentations using short texts such as newspaper articles and long texts such as chapters in given textbooks. Formative evaluation is performed through class participation, including written examinations and assignments as well as one or more essays, papers, and presentations, based on a rubric that targets each skill. The course is structured around the course textbook, but the instructor will also create additional materials, and activities for students to do both in the classroom, and for homework.

In addition, the goal of English for International Studies is to help students get a strong command of the language, which will enable them to learn more about international relations. Students will engage in active learning through an integrated approach to the four skills while studying materials linked to international relations, with a focus on language output skills in a multicultural setting. They will acquire academic writing abilities using the APA style and learn how to create reports, papers, and essays. Based on a rubric that emphasizes writing skills, formative evaluation is carried out through in-class writings and two or more of the aforementioned documents. (Amended October 2022)

*The language of teaching, and learning in this course will be English, and students must make an effort to use English to communicate both with the instructor and other students. Class attendance and active participation in in-class pair work/group work are paramount towards students’ success and final grade in this course.*

**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).**

Student Attainment Objectives

Students shall learn about discourse structure, and about the conventional academic report design; also about citations and references, paraphrasing, quotations and academic honesty. While this course emphasizes writing skills, students shall continue to develop all four skills. In addition, understand key ideas and principles of good writing and write essays according to APA format.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction: class routine, introduce 'Small Talk'

Due to the current global situation, the course will be delivered synchronously and asynchronously via Manaba-R and Zoom. Check Manaba-R for updated information in Forum, Resources and New Thread areas. All information regarding weekly assignments, a mid-term exam, and the final exam will be explained in week one.

Please download the Zoom program on to your computer we will be using this software from week one.
 

Discuss weekly schedule, assignments, and class policies.
Student introductions, background and writing sample.

3〜4

Unit 1 Where We Live

• Discuss Improving Communities
• Give Reasons and Explain Results

The World’s Biggest Melting Pot In this National Geographic video, we learn about the benefits of living in a multicultural city

-Write a proposal on an international topic that will be developed over the course of this semester

5〜6

Unit 2 The Mine's Eye

• Express Degrees of Liking
• Discuss Mental Influences
• Talk about Personal Characteristics

7〜8

Unit 3 Changing Planet

• Discuss Pollution
• Discuss Causes and Effects
• Discuss Animal Populations
• Consider the Effects of Climate Change

-Writing a summary – This will enable students to write a literature review on the topic of their choice

9〜10

Unit 4 The Good Life

• Talk about the Things You Value
• Discuss Important People or Events

A Life Lesson from a Volunteer Firefighter: In this TED Talk, Mark Bezos describes how every act of generosity matters.

11〜12

Unit 5 Survival

• Say How Things Could Be Different
• Discuss the Survival of Species
• Talk about Threats to Survival

-Writing an argument that expresses agreement or disagreement

13〜14

Unit 6 Art Matters

• Report Other People’s Ideas
• Express Opinions about Public Art
• Produce a Biographical Profile

15〜16

Unit 7 Getting Around

• Alternatives to Travel
• Review Places or Experiences

Online Mid-term Exam 20% of the final grade
(timed writing on an international relations topic and or a topic from the textbook, 300-500 words)

-Referring to existing research articles within your own academic writing

17〜18

Unit 8 Competition

• Discuss Types of Competitors
• Talk about Useful Skills
• Discuss Winning and Losing
• Compare or Contrast TwoTopics *

19〜20

Unit 9 Danger

• Ask about Personal Fears
• Discuss Dangerous Jobs

An Everyday Danger: In this National Geographic video, we learn about the difficulties of
living with allergies.

-Communicative writing skills that express and support opinions

21〜22

Unit 10 Mysteries

• Discuss Why People Study the Past
• Talk about Solving Mysteries
• Discuss Theories and the Truth

-Introduction to APA referencing Part-1

23〜24

Unit 11 Learning

• Discuss Technology and Learning
• Talk about Learning
• Discuss Educational Choices

-Introduction to APA referencing Part-2

25〜26

Unit 12 Innovation

• Speculate about the Future
• Talk about Positive Outcomes
• Describe Inventors and Inventions
• Talk about Good Habits

27〜28

Review Units 1-12

Why You Should Make UselessThings: In this TED Talk, Simone Giertz
describes how playing and asking questions can lead to innovation.

29〜30

Online Final Exam 30% of the final grade (300-500 words)

Feedback, Exit-survey, Q and A

Class Format

[[In the case of a BCP level of 1-4]

All classes will be held media-based (live-streamed, using zoom).

Details of the class format will be given in the manaba+R course page.
-----
[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

-15 minutes per day listen to native English, for example, CNN, BBC, www.TED.com
-15 minutes per day read some English, for example, English language newspapers, magazines
-Write a personal daily diary entry in English every day

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

Active Class Participation............20%
Small Talk ...........................10%
Assignments ..........................20%
Mid-term Exam..............20%
Final Exam......30%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Students shall be required to do at least 1 hours of homework per week, which (in combination with homework for other courses) adds up to a significant amount of homework. Students are advised to plan for this and not to forgo homework because it will be important. If students are absent for social or sporting reasons, they are not excused from doing the homework, and each student will be responsible for ensuring that his or her written work reaches the teacher on time.
Active attendance (meaning participation) will also be important for students to benefit from this course.
University policy stipulates that for foreign language courses, students must attend at least two-thirds of the classes in order to get credit.
Lateness without justification (for example proof of train delay) will be penalized; three times late equals one time absent.
Club activities or other school activities are not to be accepted as valid reasons for additional absence. Extra or “makeup” work might be set for students who have to miss classes, provided that they submit “request for special consideration for students participating in extracurricular activities” issued by the University beforehand.
The schedule outlined above will be adaptable and negotiable according to the abilities and needs of the students

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Students are expected to spend approximately 60 minutes in pre-study and review of each lesson. Furthermore, students are expected to be on time for each class, prepared to learn, study, and use the English language to communicate at all times. Students must come to class with the assigned Textbook, paper, pencil, pen, and eraser, English to English dictionary or English to Japanese dictionary is highly recommended.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
World English 3 Third Edition Christien Lee; Becky Tarver Chase; Kristin L. Johannsen National Geographic Learning, Cengage 978-0-357-11369-1 3th edition

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Every student should have access to an English to English dictionary or English to Japanese dictionary.(paper or electronic) for every class.

Web Pages for Reference

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

Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Course schedule may be modified based on student needs. Any such modifications will be clearly communicated to students in class.
【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