Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12561:[2025 Fall]IR18‐BA103 English for International Studies III (Theme‐based)(RA) 2025 Fall Mon3,Thu2 College　Of　International　Relations IKEDA YOSHIKO 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY206/RYOYUKAN　RY206

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 is a four-skill-based course with relative emphasis on reading. We will read Al Gore’s Our Choice, and Clashing Views on Global Issues. We will also watch films such as An Inconvenient Truth (2007) and An Inconvenient Sequel (2017) along with televised news programs and DVDs such as DAVOS and COP 30. Discussions and writings will be based on these viewings and readings. Finally, we will examine global issues from the perspective of developing countries and emerging economies as well as from advanced countries by watching programs and reading articles produced by the media in these different regions. By exploring global issues from many perspectives, the course will help students improve critical thinking skills and expand their media literacy.

Student Attainment Objectives

1.Students will become accustomed to reading substantial texts and improve skills for extensive readings.→to be evaluated by Short Quizzes and Writing Assignments..
2.Students will build basic vocabulary in the area of global issues and achieve a basic understanding of these issues.→to be evaluated by Vocabulary Quizzes.
3.Students will acquire academic integrity and will be able to know how to avoid plagiarism, then to be able to summarize and paraphrase the texts.→to be evaluated by Short Quizzes and papers.
4.Students will achieve basic skills for academic presentations with visual aides.→to be evaluated by presentations.
5.Students will be exposed to a variety of media with different perspectives, thereby fostering critical thinking skills and media literacy.←to be evaluated by final presentations.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1,2

Introduction to the course:
Three Modes of Persuasion: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos including evidence

An Inconvenient Truth-1 (DVD viewings, reading, and discussions)
Global Warming
Writing Assignment #1

3,4

An Inconvenient Truth-2/3 (DVD viewings, readings, and discussions)

Writing Assignment #2, #3
Vocabulary Quiz #1

5

An Inconvenient Truth-4 (DVD viewings, readings, and discussions) Writing

Assignment #4, Outline of An Inconvenient Truth
What we can learn from Al Gore’s presentation:
Rhetoric, Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Vocabulary Quiz #2

6,7

Chapter 3-4 (group presentations:1-2)

Electricity from the sun /Harvesting the wind
Short Quizzes #3・#4
Vocabulary Quiz #3

8,9

Chapter 5-6 (group presentations:3-4)

Soaking up geothermal energy
Growing fuel
Short Quizzes #5・#6
Vocabulary Quiz #4

10,11

Chapter 7-8 (group presentations:5-6)

Carbon capture and sequestration /The Nuclear Option
Short Quizzes #7・#8
Vocabulary Quiz #5

12,13

Chapter 9-10 (group presentations:7-8)

Forests / Soil
Short Quizzes #9・#10

14,15

Clashing Views on Environmental issues (readings and discussions) Power? Yes, please./Five Myths

Writing Assignment #5
Writing Assignment #6

16,17

"The Fallout"-1 / "The Fallout"-2

Writing Assignment #7-8
Vocabulary Quiz #6

18

The Fallout"-3

Writing Assignment #8

19, 20

Germany's Turnaround 1-2

Writing Assignment #9-10
Vocabulary Quiz #7

19,20

Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society

Writing Assignment #11-12
Vocabulary Quiz #8

21,22

Individual Research <Computer Room Reserved>

COP 30 and World Media: Research 1-2
Worksheet #1-2

23,24

COP 30 and World Media: Research 3-4
Individual Research and Group Discussion

World Newspapers and TV/Cable programs (Computer Room Reserved)
The U.S/The United Kingdom/Europe and Russia/Middle East/Japan/OtherAsian countries/Africa /Central and South America
Worksheet #3-4

25,26

COP 30 and World Media: Research 3 +Group Discussion/Group Report:1-2

Each country in the assigned areas (Computer Room Reserved)

First Paper Assignment #1

27,28

Cop 30 and World Media: Group Discussion and Report 1-2

Media Literacy and Critical Thinking
Assigned groups' presentations
Second Paper Assignment #2 (Revised paper of 1,500 words)

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 provided that the maximum number of online classes remains 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

Due dates for vocabulary quizzes and writing assignments will be given in class and on the course tool.

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

Class participation 55%
(attendance, class and group discussions, vocabulary quizzes, short quizzes, writing assignments)
Group presentations (1st 10%, 2nd 10%) 20%
Term paper (1st Draft 10%, 2nd Draft 10% ) 20%
TOEFL TEST 5%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Students are required to submit two English essays related to the subject in this course.
Active participation in the course will also be highly regarded in grading.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Students are expected to participate in class and group discussions actively in English.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
OUR CHOICE: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis Al Gore Rodale ISBN978-1-59486-734-7

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

The used textbooks of OUR CHOICE are distributed by the instructor. Other reading materials will be assigned in class.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore Rodale ISBN1-59486-567-1
An inconvenient Sequence Al Gore Paramount ASIN:B074BL3TV9

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

These films are screened in some of the classes.

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

【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/