Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
14503:[2025 Fall]Contemporary Society in English(High-Intermediate) (JD) § 14504:Contemporary Society in English(High-Intermediate) (JD) 2025 Fall Mon3 College　Of　Law KIM WACHUTKA JACKIE J 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

ZONSHINKAN　ZS302

Language

Japanese

Course Outline and Method

The questions of self and identity, whether it is a conscious or unconscious effort to define, explain, or narrate, have affected every individual at one point or another in his or her lifetime. Many perhaps may argue that these questions are embedded within our minds, almost like an encoded message that dictates our actions, behaviors and thoughts throughout our daily lives. How do we make decisions as individuals within a society? More specifically, where do we stand within the society? Or rather, how are we formed and patterned as social beings? Examining these questions and inquiring about the categories that have been scripted for us as members of society may elucidate the “selves” and “identities” within the current era of globalization.
The theories of globalization helps us to understand the transition of poverty, disparity, inequalities, borders and movements. How does the advancement of globalization affect developed and developing countries? What are the key concepts of globalization that must be considered as we advance in time, technology and new discoveries? This course brings many of these questions to the front, allowing us to confront numerous changes and challenges by thinking critically.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will gain an understanding of basic social theories and globalization concepts. Students will learn to conduct various supplemental research in order to make their topic presentations richer and more informative. Students will practice the techniques of reading and gathering various information, writing concise and clear hand-outs and presentation skills.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

+R Jugyo
Orientation Video
Course Introduction
1) Syllabus Review
2) What is the most pressing global issue? Discuss in Groups.
3) Read Key Issues in Culture and Identity (pp. 6-10).

Syllabus review

2〜2

1) Questions of self, identity and society:
One of the most important endeavors in our lives, no matter who or where we come from, is pondering upon the questions of self, identity, and the society that we live in. Needless to say, these are extremely broad concepts that can be thought of, interpreted, assessed, and explained in numerous ways. For homework write in a free-style format, your own thoughts about these concepts and their interconnection and relationship.
2) Discuss the reading from Culture and Identity.

Read Key Issues in Culture and Identity (pp. 6-12).

3〜3

1) Lecture on Identity and Society.
2) Watch a short clip.
3) Discuss in groups your own assessment of the clip.
4) Do Kidd and Teagle (2012, p. 8) Exercise 2.3. Insert the pictures and the explanation in your own words. You can choose other photos of interests such as your own hobbies. Bring to class to share in groups.

Discussing key concepts within a group

4〜4

1) Globalization Key concepts: -Read "Culture and Globalization" in Globalization 101 (pp. 2-6).
2) Globalization Vocabulary Review
3) Explanation of World Economic Forum homepage and how to navigate it.
4) Globalization Key concepts: Global vs. Local Short Lecture
5) Listen to Global Concepts Exercises. (Print-outs will be distributed in class.)

-Globalization vs. local cultures

5〜5

1) Discuss Integration of Cultures. Review key concepts and vocabulary
2) Choose a topic from a current issue in depth and prepare a short reading presentation.
3) Global Concepts listening.
Prepare a (10 min.) Group Presentation. Presentation starts class 6


-Consider the Pressing Issue of Our World Currently
-Discuss the topic that is the most pressing personally
-Decide the topic and discuss with instructor

6〜6

-Mini Presentation starts

Incorporate the class reading and discussion in a presentation format

7〜7

-Mini Presentation; Review for Final Oral Test (Individual Presentation) on Class 9. Explain the criteria in detail.

Trade, environment, media, development, women, investment, technology, culture, migration, human rights, IMF and World bank, Energy, health, education, international law, globalization, garbage, climate change, water, adaptation, etc.

8〜8

-Review for Final Oral Test (Presentation Style) on Class 10

Trade, environment, media, development, women, investment, technology, culture, migration, human rights, IMF and World bank, Energy, health, education, international law, globalization, garbage, climate change, water, adaptation, etc.

9〜9

-Individual Presentation Test relating to the mini presentation and class readings. Powerpoint may be used.

Trade, environment, media, development, women, investment, technology, culture, migration, human rights, IMF and World bank, Energy, health, education, international law, globalization, garbage, climate change, water, adaptation, etc.

10〜10

Short Vocabulary Quiz. The points counts towards participation points. Final Presentation discussion. Topic related to class but students may choose specific themes.
-Final Presentation Discussion
-Discuss the elements of the categories above.

Final Topic Presentation Starts

11〜11

Final Topic Presentation Preparation Discussion in groups

Final Topic Presentation Preparation Discussion in groups

12〜12

Final Topic Presentation Starts

Final Topic Presentation; Post presentation discussion of presentation topics

13〜13

Post presentation discussion of presentation topics; Discussion of the most pressing global issues

Final Topic Presentation

14〜14

Final Wrap-Up Lecture and Discussion

Final Wrap-Up Lecture and Discussion

Class Format

All sessions will be ace-to-face class format

Recommendations for Private Study

Watch news and read newspapers and current event journals. By being aware of what is happening in the world both near and far, students will be better able to participate in class discussions.

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, homework, discussion) 20%
•Mini-Presentation with PowerPoint 20%
•Final Test [PowerPoint presentation] 30%
•Final Presentation [PowerPoint presentation] 30%





-

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

This class in an on-going evaluation. Class attendance is very important.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Students are required to keep up with current events. Students are asked to extensively read World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2023/

The four academic skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing are honed through note-taking during lectures and presentations of reading materials, active discussions and debates and peer questioning.

[Important Note]
.
***“Reading materials” will be uploaded on Manaba and submissions will be made through the same portals.
*** This is a tentative schedule and changes may occur according to circumstances.
*** Class attendance will be extremely important to gain important information. Submissions will be explained in full detail though written instructions and in classes.
*** No late submission is accepted without legitimate reason.
***Job-hunting is not a valid reason for absences.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Culture and Identity Kidd, W. & Teagle A. Palgrave Macmillan 9780230281028
Globalization 101 SUNY Global Workforce Project on-line reading material
World Economic Forum On-line
Gloal Concepts Jim Knudsen 9784523176886

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

Copies of the reading will be distributed in class
【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/