Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16837:[2025 Spring]Academic Skills 1 (GA) § 16838:Special Lecture 1 (LA) § 16839:Basic Academic Skills (GA) 2025 Spring Wed4 College　Of　Law,College　Of　Social　Sciences,College　Of　International　Relations,College　Of　Letters ISHIKAWA RYOKO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

SHIGAKUKAN　SG204

Language

English and Japanese

Course Outline and Method

Students will learn the significance of studying abroad. In addition to activities in English using the 4 skills of language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), students will also learn the basic skills needed while on their study abroad, including how to read a syllabus, making the most of office hours, and more. In addition, they will also work on the language skills so essential for studying abroad.

Student Attainment Objectives

By learning about the significance of studying abroad, students will be able to clarify their reasons for taking part. Students will also acquire the basic academic skills and language skills needed for studying abroad.

Recommended Preparatory Course

This course will be conducted in English (main) and Japanese (upon necessity), so students should be able to perform English proficiency equivalent to TOEFL ITP 400/ TOEFL iBT 32/ TOEIC 380 / IELTS 4.5 or above.

This class is NOT recommended for students in English-based degree programs such as GS, CRPS, ISSE, or GLA. It would be too introductory, and there would be a significant number of weekly assignments.

Course Schedule

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

Introduction to the course

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>

-Introduction and course outline
-Study abroad programs at Ritsumeikan University
-Preparing for study abroad

【+R-Jugyo】For the details, go to "Reference Video" below

2

Discussion session: Studying abroad

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
-Tips for surviving the classes
-Writing Emails to your professors

3

Library session (the date for this session may change)

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
How to use the library database

4

How to choose a study abroad program

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
-How to choose a study abroad program that suits you

5

Student presentations: Study abroad

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
Individual presentations in small groups

6

Writing an academic essay

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
-The structure of an academic essay
-Thesis statement

7

Paraphrasing and summarizing

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
-Paraphrasing
-Summarizing

8

Citing the sources of information

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
in-text citation and works cited list

9

Presentation workshop

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
How to be a better presenter

10

Tools for writing an academic essay

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
How to use the most out of the support tools

11-14

Final presentations

<Face-to-face session in the classroom>
Individual presentation and discussion

Class Format

All classes are face-to-face sessions.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students will write academic English essays in this class. Instructions on how to write these essays will be given in class, but students will write the essays on their own outside of the class. There will be various other homework assignments. To make the most out of this class, students are expected to finish the assignments before the next class and review the skills they have learned in 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

Participation in and contribution to in-class activities + homework assignments 50%
Two individual presentations (10+20=)30%
Final essay 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Late assignment policy

Late papers and assignments will be penalized 1/2 of a letter grade per day late. For example, if your paper is worth an A but submitted three hours after the deadline, you’ll receive an A- instead. This policy applies to all assignment submissions, including PPT slide submissions for the group presentation. However, this rule does not apply if you are seriously ill or in an emergency. You are responsible for informing the instructor of such circumstances, and you are asked to present proof.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

-Policy on attendance/participation
Students are required to attend/take part in at least 10 classes to obtain credit for this course. If the class is conducted online, participation in the class activities is considered attendance. Without legitimate reasons, students failing to meet this attendance requirement will not be given credits.

-A note on the essays submitted
The core purpose of this course is to equip students with the basic skills necessary for writing an academic essay in English. Therefore, in principle, the instructor will not correct the grammatical errors in students' essays. Please use a grammar checker with MS Word or an online grammar checker such as Grammarly. The instructor will advise on how to strengthen your arguments.

-Choosing the right class for you
This class is for beginner students studying Academic English, especially those who have NEVER studied academic English or citation styles such as MLA or APA. If you have some knowledge of academic citation styles, please take Academic Skills 2 or Intermediate Academic Skills.

This class is NOT recommended for students in English-based degree programs such as GS, CRPS, ISSE, or GLA, as this class would be too introductory, and there will be a significant amount of weekly assignments.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Materials will be provided in 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 (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

This class is NOT recommended for students in English-based degree programs such as GS, CRPS, or GLA, as this class would be too basic, and there will be a significant amount of weekly assignments.

The course schedule above shows the main topics that will be covered in class. There will be other activities such as note-taking, debating and discussion to improve your academic English skills.

【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/