Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12764:[2025 Fall]IR18‐CA302 Bridge to International Studies V (R) 2025 Fall Thu3 College　Of　International　Relations SAEKI CHIZURU 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY201

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.


This course examines Japan's position in the world in particular, relations with the United States and with other East Asian countries. We analyze Japanese diplomacy dealing with the western nations from the 19th century through contemporary. The course deals with various topics in controversy including modernization, race and ethnicity, war and military aggression, war and culture, and politics and democracy. As course materials, we use academic articles, newspapers, film and journals. The class will also hold debates and mock trials.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will acquire
1:Reading and Writing skills
2:Expand vocabulary
3:Presentation and Debating skills
4 English conversation skills, including listening and speaking
5: Critical thinking

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction

geography and Japan in Asia

2

Religions in Asia

Shintoism and Politics

3

Samurai Japan: government and politics

Feudalism and Politics in Japan

4

Feudal Society

Legacy of Tokugawa Japan

5

Open to the West

Opening of Japan and the U.S.

6

Modernization of Japan

Enlightenment movement
Westernization

7

Imperialism and the West

Japan's Expansion and Asia

8

Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.

Immigration
Race
Ethnicity

9

Japan's advancement in China I

Manchukuo
Issue of Nanking

10

Japan's advancement in China II

Manchukuo
Issue of Nanking
Debate over Japan's Colonization

11

Road to WWII

Beginning of the war and Pearl Harbor

12

Road to WWII

Midway and End of the war
Debate and mock trials over A-Bomb

13

Occupation

Americanization of Japan
Issue of self defense force

14

Issue of Contemporary Japan

nuclear
environment
population
economy

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. Please note that the maximum number of online classes must be 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

Students are required to do research on the weekly assigned topics and prepare for their presentation in the class on the assigned week. They are also expected to make preparations for the debate and mock trial before the day of the events in the 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

Presentation 30%
research paper 30%
research proposal 20%
attendance 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

We don't use textbooks, the reading materials will be distributed in the class

Reference Books

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 Comments

【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/