Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12556:[2025 Spring]IR18‐BA102 English for International Studies II (High‐Intermediate)(RG) 2025 Spring Tue2,Fri1 College　Of　International　Relations O’MOCHAIN ROBERT 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY208/RYOYUKAN　RY208

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
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 course develops language skills through a content-based pedagogy. Content draws from authors who cover a wide range of issues with a global society perspective. All four language skills are integrated in the exploration of relevant issues and key themes of International Studies.. Students will improve their ability to express logical argument through engagement with a range of writing techniques and structures. In-class writing activities will also promote fluency and accuracy in written expression . The content area explorers issues of persecution of minorities and abuses of power against vulnerable groups in global society. These issues are elaborated through academic reading, and writing. Communicating your ideas about these topics in open-ended discussion will improve your speaking and listening skills in English.

Feedback is provided by the instructor for Manaba Forum contributions and for all written work. Students engage in groupwork, pairwork, and classroom discussion in response to material provided by the instructor.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will gain confidence to express their opinions on a wide range of IR topics, especially those related to issues surrounding persecution of vulnerable groups in global society.
Students will acquire listening skills including the ability to listen to lectures and take notes.
Students will engage in slide show presentation skills.
Students will gain sufficient vocabulary to allow for full participation in debates and discussions on global issues.
Students will gain skills necessary for participation in international conferences.

Recommended Preparatory Course

None

Course Schedule

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

Introductions; Overview of the course; checking answers from Introductory Video

Research Papers vs. Essays: Credible Authorities

2

Ireland: "The Troubles"; Second-class citizen states

 Arguments/ Topic, Question, Significance
Research Questions and Hypotheses

3

LGBT leaders around the world: The example of PM Varadkar

Four Principles of Academic Writing; The Writing Process

4

Ukraine: The Russian Invasion; Treatment of Children

Arguments/ Claim, Reasons, Evidence


Counter-arguments: Acknowledgement and Response

5

Rights of sexual minorities: Persecution in Russia and around the world

Counter-claims; Counter arguments
Principles of Critical Thinking
Revising drafts

6

Brexit

Anti-immigrant animus

7

Social Media: Online bullying and algorithm manipulation

APA Formatting

8

The Cold War: The Fate of Smaller Nations

False views of research
Avoiding Plagiarism

9

Applebaum on threats to democracy: Transparency and the loss of human rights

Critical Thinking regarding recent events
References and Citations

10

The Baltic States:Sugihara Chiune; Antisemitism past and present

Media Literacy

Examples and anecdotes; Facts and factual claims

11

Myanmar: Past and Present; Persecution of Rohingya

Certainty and Plausibility
Unity in Academic Writing

12

Discrimination against language minorities: The Basque Country

Cohesion: Making sentences stick together conceptually

13

 Presentation Skills

Literature Reviews

14

Mid-Term Presentations

Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources
Logic and truth
Evaluating Sources

15

Presentation skills

Mid-term Presentations

16

Romani and persecution by the Nazi regime

Caste discrimination

17

Korea: Past and Present: Discrimination against Korean heritiage people

Evaluating tertiary sources
Belief and opinion

18

Bilateral relations: Japan-Korea; "Comfort Women" issues

Research ethics ; Bias and neutrality

19

Afghanistan: Al Qaeda and Taliban; Institutional misogyny

Critical Reading
Values and principles
Literature Review

20

Bacha Bazi: Male-directed sexual violence in conflict

Research Design and Proposals

21

Hong Kong; Past and Present; Democracy Activists

 Different Types of Essays

22

Vatican City: Persecuted mothers and "Magdalen Laundries"

Contrasting essays and research papers

23

Uyghur Muslima in China; Boycotting Sports Events

Making a core argument
Quotations

24

Kurds; Stateless people and nations


Editing and proofreading your paper

25

Review of course content

 Final Presentations

26

Review of course content

Final Presentations

27

Groups we missed; Your evaluation

Final coursebook review and consolidations

28

Re-cap of main points from the course

Political art and representation of vulnerable groups: Our own choices

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

As much as possible, develop habits of intellectual curiosity. Take note of any issues that might form interesting research questions. Students are expected to come to class prepared (readings, short assignments) and spend about 180min on course-related studies outside of class per week Keen an active interest in global news events and analysis of political events. Make use of useful academic resources such as Google Scholar, but refrain from accessing Internet sources that lack credibility. Check out books and journals on the shelves of the campus library as a way to stimulate your imagination as a producer of knowledge, not just a passive consumer of data. Use the Writing Tutorial Centre to hone your skills in the production of academic style texts that reflect and deepen your own research interests. Use the Beyond Borders Plaza to form friendships that broaden your outlook and interests. Focus on your own academic excellence and improvement.

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, Attendance, and Punctuality: 20%
Coursebook accuracy: 20%
Presentations: 30% (15% x 2)
Essays: 30% (15% x 2)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Coursebook accuracy also involves providing extra information for oral and written responses i.e. speaking up in class and asking lots of questions

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

1) Summarize any reading in five sentences for future reference.
2) Design your own glossary (list of vocabulary items from readings).
3) Review last class's notes if you get to the classroom early.
4) Prepare for class and participate actively. This helps you remember.
5) Find your own related interest outside of class (movies, books, websites/news feeds...)
6) Make friends with Japanese students and other international students on campus and beyond.
7) Plan on study abroad/working holidays or some big goal.
8) Set yourself weekly/monthly goals and check whether you accomplish them.
9) Study a little everyday (e.g. on the train).
10) Eat healthy, sleep enough and get some exercise!

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Exploring the roots of 15 current global issues Yumiko Ishitani Nan-Un Do 978-4-523-17963-4

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 (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

If you have any questions or problems you can contact me at my institutional e-mail address
robert01@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp


Attendance: 2/3 attendance is mandatory, 3 x late = 1 absence, no preparation or participation = no points
Submission: both upload on manaba+R; hard copy required as indicated by instructor, late submissions lose 10% per class session
Plagiarism: first occurrence triggers warning & 60% maximum deduction after revision; repeat occurrence results in automatic F
Presentations: need to be spontaneous if somewhat rehearsed, reading from a script will result in an F grade
Class etiquette: create a positive learning environment, help your classmate, stay focused, refrain from SNS use & noisy chatting
【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/