| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12553:[2025 Spring]IR18‐BA102 English for International Studies II (Intermediate)(RD) | 2025 | Spring | Tue1,Fri2 | College Of International Relations | O’DAY DAWN | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.
This class places relative emphasis on aural skills although all four skills (i.e., reading, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing) are duly incorporated. Students will be introduced to a number of social issues occurring in both domestic and international spheres. Using the textbook and supplementary materials, students will gain a deeper perspective of the causes, effects and possible solutions to issues of global relevance.
Class activities will be face-to-face and will include lectures, group discussions on global issues, weekly reviews of the units, and a group presentation. The evaluation for this course will be based on class participation, a group presentation, a reflection activity, and performance on the unit reviews, a midterm and a final test, which will all be based on basic concepts (definitions) and terms (jargons), and listening exercises as they concern global issues.
Classes will be conducted face-to-face in the classroom on campus.
Student Attainment Objectives
(1) Develop English reading skills while they think about important global issues
(2) Develop reading comprehension and listening skills
(3) Form questions (learning to clarify what you don’t know and what you do know after reading articles in English and listening to lectures in English)
(4) Support reasons with examples based on research
(5) Continue a discussion
(6) Expand upon answers
(7) Lead a discussion
(8) Politely interrupt a speaker
(9) Discuss both sides of an argument
(10) Discuss and express their own opinions and perspectives on the issues in English
(12) Present idea/opinions on the issues (discussion questions) in English
(13) Debate key issues on various topics
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| Lesson 1 |
Introduction
|
Focus of the first lesson: Getting to Know Each Other, Schedule, Overview
|
|
| Lesson 2 |
Unit 1: The Cashless Society (Units 1-6)
|
Goal: Learn how to discuss opinions
|
|
| Lesson 3 | Unit 1: The Cashless Society (Continued) |
Unit 1: The Cashless Society
|
|
| Lesson 4 |
Unit 1: Review Exercise
|
Goal: Learn how to ask questions if you didn't hear or understand the speaker
|
|
| Lesson 5 |
Unit 2: Fast Fashion (continued)
|
Unit 2 Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 6 | Unit 3 Plastic Packaging |
Goal: Learn how to agree and disagree
|
|
| Lesson 7 | Unit 3: Plastic Packaging (continued) |
Unit 3 Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 8 | Unit 4: Cell Phone Etiquette |
Goal: Learn how to give yourself time to think
|
|
| Lesson 9 | Unit 4: Cell Phone Etiquette (continued) |
Unit 4 Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 10 | Unit 5: Vegetarianism |
Goal: Learn how to support reasons with examples
|
|
| Lesson 11 | Unit 5: Vegetarianism (continued) |
Unit 5 Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 12 | Unit 6: Social Media |
Goal: Learn how to continue a discussion
|
|
| Lesson 13 | Unit 6: Social Media (continued) |
Unit 6 Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson14 | Unit 7: The Soda Tax |
Goal: Learn how to expand your answer
|
|
| Lesson15 | Unit 7: The Soda Tax (continued) |
Unit 7 Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 16 | Midterm test: Units 1-7 |
Group Presentation work |
|
| Lesson 17 | Presentations |
|
|
| Lesson 18 | Unit 8: Overtourism |
Goal: Learn how to ask for, make, and respond to suggestions
|
|
| Lesson19 |
Units 8: Review Exercise for credit
|
Units 8: Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 20 | Unit 10: Voting Age |
Unit 9: Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 21 | Unit 11: Rethinking Zoos |
Unit 10: Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 22 | Unit 12: Alternative Energy |
Unit 11: Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 23 | Unit 12: Alternative Energy (continued) |
Unit 12: Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 24 | Unit 13: Equal Pay in Sports |
Goal: Learn how to discuss both sides of an argument
|
|
| Lesson 25 | Unit 13: Equal Pay in Sports (continued) |
Unit 13: Review Exercise for credit |
|
| Lesson 26 | Unit 14: Gaming Addiction |
Goal: Learn how to interrupt politely and deal with interruptions
|
|
| Lesson 27 | Unit 15: Britain's Royal Family |
Unit 14: Review Exercise for credit
|
|
| Lesson 28 |
Unit 15: Britain's Royal Family
|
Unit 15: Review Exercise for credit
|
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
• 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 time, read the material before discussions, participate in discussions and group work, and ask the instructor about any questions they might have.
Note: If students are absent, late or not prepared, their grade will suffer because they will not be able to fully participate in the classwork.
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 | Participation (use of English, group discussions, etc.): 15%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
(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 Issues: An Introduction to Discussion Skills | Pearson, G, Skerritt, G., Francis, A., Yoshizuka, H. | Seibido | 978-4-7919-7225-8 | Students will be expected to bring the book on the first day of class. |
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
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)
Other Comments
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.
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/