Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16286:IR18‐CA207 Bridge to International Studies III (RH) § 16287:IR-CA207 Introduction to International Studies in English Ⅲ(RH) 2024 Fall Wed2 College　Of　International　Relations FRENCH KAORI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS203

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

Metals play an essential role in the modern world. For example, lithium, nickel, and cobalt are indispensable metals in the production of lithium-ion batteries, while copper has been long used in electric wires, television sets, refrigerators, and IT devices. Despite the importance, the metals and mining sector is sometimes overlooked, and mineral development involves various International Relations-related issues to secure the supply. These include resource nationalism, geopolitics, economics and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

This course will examine some of the major metals and mining-related topics and encourage students to think and write critically about these subjects. Class activities will include pair reviews and presentations on weekly assignments, pair/group discussion, and the development of student research projects related to metals and mining. At the end of this course, students are required to do a 5 to 6-minute final presentation and submit a 1500-word term paper on their research project.

This is a student-led class. Students’ active participation is expected.

Student Attainment Objectives

1. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the topic of the course and be able to evaluate its implications for current theory and practice in that area.
2. Students will be able to follow academic lectures and comprehend academic readings related to the topic and extract information, concepts and language for later use.
3. Students will be able to express their opinions on the topic verbally and in writing by making reference to class readings and/or independent research.

Recommended Preparatory Course

No particular preparation is required before the course starts. However, it is strongly recommended to watch and listen to the news related to the metals and mining on international media, such as in the Japan Times, the Economist, the Financial Times, the New York Times, and on the BBC. In addition, it is also recommended to start to explore which metals and mining-related topic will be of interest for your research project.

Course Schedule

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

Course Introduction

Outline, policies, and student introduction.
Sample writing exercise.

2

Metals around you - Minerals, base metals, and rare metals

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

3

"Critical minerals" - the concept and national policies

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

4

Geological scarcity and mineral resource development - extraction from natural resources, recycling, and sea mining

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

5

Resource nationalism

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

6

Mining in Africa

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

7

Paper preparation 1

A review of APA style and paper structure and paper preparation

8

ESG (1) Environmental impacts

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

9

ESG (2) Social impacts

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

10

ESG (3) Governance

Presentation practice in pairs, feedback/discussion, and development of individual research

11

Paper preparation 2

Paper preparation and editing

12

Draft paper submission and peer review

Draft paper submission, peer review of individual research papers and editing

13

Final presentations

Individual final presentations

14

Final presentations

Individual final presentations

15

Final presentations, wrap-up, and research paper submission

Individual final presentations and paper submission

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.

Recommendations for Private Study

1) Students will read the reading material each week before class.
        The reading material will be supplied in class.
2) Students will prepare:
             - short written passages or short presentations on a weekly basis
             - a final presentation (5 to 6 mins) in Week 14 or 15
             - a 1500-word research paper in APA style by Week 15
3) Instructions for each assignment will be communicated in class and via manaba+R.
        Be sure to check manaba+R regularly.

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

Weekly assignments: 30%
1500-word research paper in APA style: 25%
Final presentation (PowerPoint, 5 to 6 mins): 15%
Class participation & attendance: 30%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

1) Late submission of assignments is not acceptable.
2) Use of AI and plagiarism will be treated as academic dishonesty and will severely negatively influence your grade.
3) 5 absences and / or late arrivals will result in failure of the class.
4) Students are expected to do all the assignments before class. Students who have not prepared well before class time will affect your class participation and also may cause trouble to other students.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

1) To pass this course is to do all the assignments and attend all classes.
2) When you miss a class, you need to contact either the instructor or classmates about homework assignments.
3) Please don't hesitate to ask questions to the instructor in English (or in Japanese outside of class time).

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

There are no set textbooks for this course, the instructor will supply all reading extracts. The reading material will be extracted from published books, international organizations’ and governmental reports and documents, newspaper articles, and journals.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

References will be announced via manaba+R when necessary.

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 Comments

Instructor's email address: kfr23140@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp

1) Bring your own laptop or tablet to every class. (Use of smartphones is not permitted.)
2) Course schedule is subject to change based on student needs. Any such changes will be clearly communicated to students in class and via manaba+R.
【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