Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
14493:[2025 Fall]Contemporary Society in English(Intermediate) (JC) § 14494:Contemporary Society in English(Intermediate) (JC) 2025 Fall Thu3 College　Of　Law STANDS DARBY 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

ZONSHINKAN　ZS401

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course allows students to learn about, investigate and reflect on a number of current global trends. The origins and possible consequences of the trends will also be explored. Students will create structured written responses and participate in discussions related to readings on the issues.

Student Attainment Objectives

1. Be able to identify and understand the key factors affecting a number of current global trends.
2. Be able to discuss and express opinions on the trends.
3. Build the vocabulary needed to effectively listen to, read, and speak about global trends.
4. Be able to research and give a presentation on a topic related to course content.
5. Be able to understand and discuss news articles related to content topics.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
From 9/21

(対面授業前)  +R授業  詳細については、manaba+Rにて周知します
Course introduction - Online Activity

+R-Jugyo. See manaba+R for further information

WEEK 1 Oct. 2

 Personal awareness and interests in current issues-Review of Online Activity

1. Course content, expectations, assessment methods
2. Short one-to one interview and written report

WEEK 2 Oct. 9

Introduction to Megatrends

Textbook Chapter 1 Megatrends: What Do They Mean to You? .......Page 1

Listening or viewing practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 3 Oct. 16

Megatrends in Health

Chapter 4 The Globalization of Food: Advantages and Disadvantages .............16

Listening practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 4 Oct. 23

Environmental Megatrends

Chapter 5 The Green Movement: From Fringe to Mainstream ............21


Listening practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 5 Oct. 30

Environmental Megatrends

Chapter 6 Global Warming: Get Ready to Mitigate and Adapt .........26

Relating content to news article information
Sharing and Discussion of related news articles #1

Listening practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 6 Nov. 6

Business Megatrends

Chapter 8 Acceleration: Fast Forward is Getting Faster ...........36

Relating content to news article information

WEEK 7 Nov. 13

Business Megatrends

Chapter 9 Personalization: A Megatrend that is Reshaping Business .........41

Listening practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 8 Nov. 20

Lifestyle Megatrends

Chapter 11 Urbanization: The Pros and Cons ...............51

Listening practice with news: short topic discussion

WEEK 9 Nov. 27

Megacities: What the future may look like

Listening practice with news: short topic
Forming a Research Question and Topic

WEEK 10 Dec. 4

Megatrends in Technology

Chapter 17 Androids: The Human-looking Part of the Robotics Megatrend .........81

Gathering information and data for individual research topic
Research Summary 350-400 words -Oral presentation 4-6 minutes


Relating content to news article information
Sharing and Discussion of related news articles #2

WEEK 11 Dec. 11

ocietal Megatrends

Chapter 19 Shifts in Power: Phenomenon or Megatrend? .............91

Listening practice with news: short topic discussion
Checking research topic content

WEEK 12 Dec. 18

Presentations of research -1

Noting and discussing key points-
Giving feedback for improvement of presentations and / or research

Small group discussion and opinion sharing related to presentations

WEEK 13 Dec. 25

Presentations of research -2

Noting and discussing key points-
Giving feedback for improvement of presentations and / or research

Small group discussion and opinion sharing related to presentations

WEEK 14 Jan. 8

Review of trends and topics / Learning accomplishments
News article share and discuss

Relating content to news article information
Sharing and Discussion of related news articles #3

Class Format

Unless otherwise announced, this class will meet entirely face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

Plan and prepare enough time to complete homework assignments before class time.

Make note of questions or difficulties you have concerning the content material.

Devise ways to address any difficulties, such as asking questions of the instructor or class members.

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

Textbooks Readings and Homework (10) 25%

Individual Research and Presentation 25%

News Article Summaries and Discussion (5) 25%

Participation (bringing materials, cooperating with instructor, active participation in pair or group work) 25%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Megatrends Shaping Our Future Rebecca Tanaka / James Middleton / Norio Shimamura Seibido 9784791930975

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)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

 Students who have already earned credits by taking "Special Lectures in English (High-intermediate) JB" in previous years are not eligible to take this course.
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