Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12760:[2025 Fall]IR18‐CA207 Bridge to International Studies III (RG) 2025 Fall Wed2 College　Of　International　Relations O’DAY DAWN 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS207

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by September 20. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.


Course Outline:

The course will build students’ knowledge of international relations studies and approaches and relate these to contemporary domestic and global issues or events. This four-skill based class will employ readings in international studies in an effort to broaden students' knowledge of current global issues, deepen their knowledge, and improve their vocabulary, listening, active reading, speaking, and writing skills. Students will have opportunities to read, analyze and discuss how international relations studies connect to situations in the contemporary world.

Class activities will include lectures, group discussions on global issues, and an individual presentation, which will be based on academic research. The evaluation for this course will be based on class participation, an individual presentation, a reflection activity, homework assignments, a midterm and a final test, the latter of the two be based on basic concepts and terms, and listening exercises as they concern global issues and intercultural communication.

Classes will be conducted face-to-face in the classroom on campus.

Student Attainment Objectives


Upon completion of this course, students will be able to confidently read articles related to global concepts. They will develop critical thinking skills and be able discuss which area(s) they are interested in or what global issue(s) they’d like to pursue further. That is, students will be able to

1 Students will develop an in-depth understanding of global issues and will 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

You must be familiar with the guidelines on writing essays and avoiding plagiarism:
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_01.pdf
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_08.pdf

Course Schedule

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

Introduction

Focus of Lesson 1:
Getting to Know Each Other, Schedule, Overview
Which side are you on? How to Form Opinions and Express Your Views

2

Lesson 1: What the World Needs Now

Expressing Opinions
Focus: What can we do on a global level to eliminate poverty and extreme hunger? What actions can we take to educate children in developing worlds?

3

Lesson 1 (cont'd)

Individual presentations and discussions about poverty, hunger, and education in developing countries

4

Lesson 2: Young People Making a Difference

Focus: Citizens' responsibility in a global world. What can I do to make the world a better place?
Positive agents of social change

5

Lesson 2 (cont'd)

Individual presentations and discussions about positive agents of social change

6

Lesson 3: The Horns of a Dilemma

Global cooperation to prevent the extinction of vulnerable animal populations. What can be done? How can we work together for this cause?

7

Lesson 3 (cont'd)

Individual presentations and using discussion tactics to discuss how to address the at-risk animal populations that are in the world

8

Lesson 4: Of Nukes and Minefields

Individual presentations and using discussion tactics to discuss agreements and treaties between various countries and/or the war between Ukraine and Russia and the risk of nuclear weapons
Review for the Midterm Test:
Lessons 1-4 in the Course Textbook (pp. 6-29)

9

Lesson 5: The World's Hottest Issue

Midterm Test
Classroom activities

10

 Lesson 13: Global Concepts 1: People

Presentations and Discussion/Debate: Climate change
Using discussion strategies to talk about people, tragedies, lessons learned, and goals

11

Lesson 14: Global Concepts 2: Places

Using discussion strategies to discuss China's one-child policy, India's caste system, and current events.

12

Lesson 15 Global Concepts 3: Trends

Discussion
Review for Final Test: Units 13-16 in the course textbook (pp. 78 - 101

13

Lesson 16: Global Concepts 4: Hope

Discussion

14

Final Test: Units 13-16 (pp. 78 -101)

Test
Submit reflection exercise to Assignments in Manaba-R

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

To promote success, students will be expected to...
• Arrive to class on time, attend class and be ready by completing homework and assignments on time.
• Bring pen and paper to each class and come to class with the handouts they will be given for this course.
• Spend approximately 180 minutes on course-related studies outside of class each week.
• Engage in group and pair work that will be used in this classroom throughout this course. Be sure to talk, listen and use your group wisely.
• Come to class every day, complete homework on Manaba-R on time, read the material before discussions, and participate in discussions and group work, and ask the instructor about any questions you might have.
       Note: If you are absent, late or not prepared, your grade will suffer because you will not be able to fully participate in the classwork.

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

Classroom Participation/Attendance: 20%
Homework Assignments: 30%
Midterm exam: 15%
Individual Presentation: 15%;
Reflection Exercise: 5%
Final exam: 15%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

(1) Be responsible for your own learning (Responsibility/Self Management);
(2) Keep up with the assignments and do not fall behind. Be sure to keep in mind that in order to participate fully in the classroom discussions and activities, students must do the homework every week. (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) Use the forms that will be posted in Resources in Manaba-R to help form personal opinions about the issues that will be discussed in class. Read the form entitled Discussion Tactics that will be posted in Resources and practice linking sentences together to express opinions. Use the links that will be provided in Resources to watch videos will help students learn how to express opinions and practice what the native English speaker models for students (Critical Thinking Skills, Academic Communication Skills).

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Global Concepts: English for International Understanding Knudsen, Jim NAN'UN-D0 978–4–523–1 7688–6 Students will be expected to bring the book on the first day of class.

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Students will be expected to bring the book on the first day of class. This textbook will be used in-class and outside of class on a weekly basis.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

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 (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 and via Manaba+R.

Note: In order to maintain equity, there may be a grading curve applied to the final scores.

Course News

Students must check Course News at least three times a week for homework, and any changes that might take place.

Tests and Presentations

Students must not be late on the day of their test or on presentation day. Students who arrive late without a valid excuse will not be able to give the presentation. In the case of tests, students who arrive late can take the test, but only if the test is being given at the time they arrive. Additional time to complete the test will not be given unless a valid excuse is presented to the instructor.

Unless students have a valid excuse and the instructor has been notified ahead of time, make-up tests and/or presentations will not be given. In the case of illness on the day there is a test or a presentation to be given, students must go to Tutoring Collections in Manaba-R, and write the instructor before class begins on the day of the test or the presentation. Students must also go to see the doctor and send a copy of their receipt in Tutoring Collections. In the case of official excuses provided by the university for extracurricular activities, students must notify the instructor via Tutoring Collections prior to the test or presentation, and they must submit their official excuse as soon as possible after the event. Students who follow these instructions will be able to take the test or give their presentation on another day.

Late Homework
Students must seek permission to submit late work. This must be done through Tutoring Collections. Late work will not be accepted without a valid reason and permission.

Contacting your Instructor:

Please contact the instructor via Tutoring Collections in 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:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/