Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12564:[2025 Fall]IR18‐BA103 English for International Studies III (Theme‐based)(RD) 2025 Fall Mon3,Thu2 College　Of　International　Relations IGARASHI YUKO 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY209/RYOYUKAN　RY209

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 course is designed for developing students' critical thinking skills through reading materials relevant to global/local issues including politics, economy, and environment. Students are required to engage in discussions, make a few presentations, and write five-paragraph essays as well as summaries.

This is a student-centered language class. Group work is encouraged; students' active participation is greatly expected.

Student Attainment Objectives

(1)Students will read each reading material critically and think logically.
(2)Students will reserach a given topic by themselves and present findings in class.
(3)Students will express their opinions on various issues in class.
(4)Students will write a logical five-paragraph essay.
(5)Students will write a summary.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction/ Diagnostic essay

Some course information/ Write an essay

2

Unit 2: Nuclear power

Time to ditch nuclear power/ the future is nuclear

3

Reading 1: Energy for a stable climate 1

Envirornmental issue

4

Reading 1: Energy for a stable climate 2

Envirornmental issue

5

5-paragraph essay/ Summary

How to write a 5-paragraph essay/ How to write an effective summary

6

Paraphrasing/ Unit 3: Immigration

What is paraphrasing?/ Immigration reform policy

7

Reading 2: Goodbye, Maldives 1

Global warming

8

Reading 2: Goodbye, Maldives 2

Global warming

9

Unit 6: Women in the workplace/ In-class essay writing 1

Treatment of femal employees/ Write a 5-paragraph essay

10

Plagiarism and references

APA style and references

11

Quotation

Direct quote and indirect quote 1

12

Quotation

Direct quote and indirect quote 2

13

Quotation/ Unit 4: The social safety net

Direct quote and indirect quote 3/ Time to repair the social safety net

14

Unit 10: Merit-based pay

Life and work

15

Group presentation

Present what your group researched and found

16

Unit 12: Taxes/ Reading 3: Economic inequality: The growing gap 1

On taxes/ Economic issue

17

Reading 3: Economic inequality: The growing gap 2

Economic issue

18

Unit 11: American military bases in Japan

Removal of US military bases from Japan

19

Reading 4: When it Is right to break the law 1

Social issue

20

Reading 4: When it Is right to break the law 2 / Unit 14: Animal rights

Social issue/ Animal rights protesters rally in Ginza

21

Reading 5: Believe it or not: The post-truth era 1

Social issue

22

Reading 5: Believe it or not: The post-truth era 2

Social issue

23

Reading 6: Blowing whistles 1

Political issue

24

Reading 6: Blowing whistles 2

Political issue

25

In-class essay writing 2

 Write a 5-paragraph essay

26

Individual presentation 1

Present what you researched and found

27

Individual presentation 2

Present what you researched and found

28

Individual presentation 3

Present what you researched and found

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

Please read assigned sections for each class in advance. I strongly recommend you to do grammar exercises by yourself to improve your grammar skills.

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

Writing assignments: 45%
Presentations: 35%
TOEFL test (held in December): 5%
Class Participation: 15%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Late submission of assignments is not acceptable.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

1) The key to pass this course is to do all assignments and attend all classes.
2) When you missed a class, you need to contact either the instructor or classmates about homework assignments.
3) Please don't hesitate to ask any questions to the instructor in either English or Japanese.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Think smart Michael Hood Kinseido 9784764740433

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

We will use this textbook in each class, in principle. Some readings 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

【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/