Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15206:RUIR-2302 Global Studies Research(JD) 2023 Spring Wed4 College　Of　International　Relations YAMADA MAYUMI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS202

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

In this course, we explore dynamic global issues as well as various research methodologies. Students learn foundation of interdisciplinary social (science) research, which is applicable to a wide range of subjects, particularly, in the fields of global studies and international relations.

The course will prepare students for conducting research on global studies: sustainable development (including SDGs), peace and security, human rights, gender, democratic governance, climate and disaster resilience, migration etc. Understanding philosophical worldview and the purpose of research, they will be able to: select a researchable topic; develop a feasible research question (or hypothesis); design research; critically review existing work (academic literatures); utilize applicable methods to collect and analyze data; prepare a research proposal; present/publish a paper; and widely disseminate knowledge in public

Ensuring students gain hands on research experience, with the process of learning by doing, we will complement a series of lectures with class discussion and workshops, where students will interact and learn from one another.

Student Attainment Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Keep abreast of dynamic global issues.

2. Develop researchable questions and/or hypothesis in the themes of Global Studies and/or International Relations, understanding a basic academic writing structure.

3. Explain basic research theories and concepts (philosophical worldview): Ontology, Epistemology, Methodology etc.

4. Find appropriate references, learning how to use various academic database (e.g. Web of Knowledge, ProQuest); keep bibliographical trails/records (Mendeley, Endnote); and exercise in evaluating references (articles/papers).

5. Review literature critically, build a theoretical framework, draw a concept map, and examine empirical evidence.

6. Understand types of research and the approaches.

7. Demonstrate research ethics.

8. Utilize appropriate research methodology: collect and analyze data, utilizing qualitative, quantitative, mixed, case study methods etc.

9. Write a research proposal and disseminate a short research paper, supported by credible academic literatures (proper citation/quotation, APA style references) as well as critical argument and/or ideas that they have learned through the course exercise.

Recommended Preparatory Course

None

Course Schedule

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

Session 1: Introduction to Global Studies Research

1. Exploring global studies: Sustainable Development (Goals), Peace and Security, Human Rights, International Community
2. Social science research: exploring your global studies research topics, problems, questions (empirical and interpretive) and relevant concepts.
3. Reflection and Summary

2

Session 2: Global Studies and International Relations (I)

1. Global cross-cutting issues; humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, gender equality, democratic governance, climate and disaster resilience, etc.
2. Basic (academic) research structure
3. Reflection and Summary

3

Session 3: Global Studies and International Relations (II)

1. Nobody left behind: feminist, indigenous, and decolonizing research; multiculturalism; the disadvantaged and the marginalised; power; politics
2. Finding primary and secondary sources; library search; exploring different types of online resources, e.g. web of science/knowledge (WoS/WoK), other available online materials, and/or database/data archive relevant to Global Studies; how to keep bibliographical trails/records; exercise in evaluating references cited in articles/papers etc.
3. Reflection and Summary

4

Session 4: Research Theories and Concepts (I)

1. Inductive and deductive theories
2. Types of research: social science, legal, ethnographical, historical, applied, descriptive, comparative, evaluative, cultural; anthropological;
3. Reflection and Summary

5

Session 5: Research Theories and Concepts (II)

1. Philosophical worldview: metaphysics and epistemology;
2. Ontology, epistemology and methodology; Positivism; Interpretivism
3. Reflection and Summary

6

Session 6: Designing Research: Process (I)

1. Refine a research focus, question (normative, empirical and interpretive), hypothesis for research design
2. Select a research approach: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed, Case study methods
3. Reflection and Summary

7

Session 7: Designing Research: Process (II)

1. Preparing literature review: taking a good note; analyzing a text; critical versus descriptive review; theoretical framework; referencing.
2. Engaging with theory in research: build a theoretical framework; draw a conceptual map
3. Reflection and Summary

8

Session 8: Research Ethics

1. Research codes of ethics & ethics review process: honesty in research; building rapport with participants; handling sensitive material; dissemination; record keeping and disposing etc.
2. Ethics in research communication (plagiarism, citation, referencing. etc.)
3. Reflection and Summary

9

Session 9: Data Collection and Analyses (I): Methodological pluralism

1. Preparing data collection: secondary and primary data: qualitative, quantitative, mixed, case study; sampling, questionnaires, interviews, participatory observation; case, content, discourse, narrative analyses; coding
2. Develop and test a checklist of interview questions (an interview guide)
3. Reflection and Summary

10

Session 10: Data Collection and Analysis (II): Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods

1. Understand methodological pluralism (continued from session 9): explore various approaches, including quantitative, for complementing qualitative research
2. Analyze the interview results
3. Reflection and Summary

11

Session 11: Data Collection and Analysis (III): Class Workshop I

1. Complete the interview exercise, and start analyzing the results
2. Reflection and Summary

12

Session 12: Data Collection and Analysis (IV): Class Workshop II

1. Complete the analyses of the interview results (continued from session 11)
2. Reflection and Summary

13

Session 13: Writing up and disseminating research findings

1. Writing up a research proposal, project proposal; academic reporting and research publication
2. Public presentation; sharing knowledge; knowledge management
3. Reflection and Summary

14

Session 14: Presentation by Student (I)

1. Presentation of the research carried out by students.
2. Feedback and Reflection

15

Session 15: Presentations by Students (II)

1. Presentation of the research carried out by students.
2. Feedback and Reflection

Class Format

BCP停止の場合は、BCPレベル0～2の記載どおりに授業が行われます。
During the suspension period of BCP, classes will be as described in BCP levels 0-2.

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

College of IR Student Page：https://ct.ritsumei.ac.jp/ct/course_1728150
Study Support Site：https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/eng/

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2023 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

1. Students are encouraged to read through and prepare for the major readings designated and provided by the instructor in advance. This will allow for interactive discussions based on key theories and concepts during class.

2. Students are encouraged to base their reading on the following principles
a. Who is the author? When was this written? Is it still relevant today?
b. What is the thesis?
c. What is your argument? Why do you agree or disagree with existing knowledge (e.g., literature)?
d. d. What are your new arguments against the existing literature?

3. Reflection is strongly encouraged after each session.
a. Write down what you learned from the topic or session.
b. Ask some questions/point out some things that you did not understand well (or did not agree with).
c. Further research or read material that interests you or ask the instructor for references.
d. Discuss class topics with friends, colleagues, and the instructor in and out of class.

I have an open door policy. If you would like to discuss any topic related to this course, or need more materials, please feel free to make an appointment by emailing me at:
mayumi-y@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp

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

Class participation/contribution: 45 %
Writing Assignments: 40 %
Presentation: 15 %

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

1. Grading will be based on participation/contribution in-class, research presentations (Session 14 and 15), and two major writing assignments.

2. 3 or more absences may result in an "F" grade. However, officially recognized absences, such as a doctor's note, medical certificate, will be excluded. Note that this course includes a series of significant exercises and activities.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Two writing assignments:

1. A draft research proposal (around 1,500 words - To be Submitted in week 8)
2. A final paper based on the research proposal (around 2,000-3,500 words (no more than 5,000 words please). Submitted after week 13/14.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Social research methods Bryman, A. Oxford University Press 9780199689453 5th ed.(2016)
The Craft of Research, 4th edition (2016) Booth, et al. The University of Chicago Press 9780226239736

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

The instructor is going to provide reading materials (relevant text chapters): the first textbook (Bryman) is used for Session 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7. Additional materials (selected from reference books & some articles) are posted on Manaba as required.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (2018) Creswell, J. SAGE 9781506386768
Researching the vulnerable: a guide to sensitive research methods Liamputtong. P SAGE 9781412912549

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


The instructor has worked with:

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands,
UNDP Laos,
UNDP Maldives
UNDP Kazakhstan
United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD: Disaster Management) for Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
UN University for Peace (Costa Rica)
【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/