Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15322:IR18‐CA201 Bridge to International Studies I (Order & Peace / Administration)(RB) § 15323:IR-CA201 Introduction to International Studies in English Ⅰ(RB) 2022 Spring Tue2 College　Of　International　Relations MULLIGAN CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY307

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This BIS (Bridge to International Studies) I is an introductory course on an aspect of international studies, introducing the basic concepts and specialized vocabulary of international studies while developing research skills through analyzing and evaluating academic research papers on the role of languages in intelligence, occupation, and peacebuilding.

Students will analyze and evaluate assigned reading for contents, structure, facts and opinion language use, implied meaning and contradictions, outside the class. Each student is expected to complete reading assignments before class. In class, students will present a summary of their understanding, comparing opposing viewpoints and expressing their own standpoint supported by evidence from the text or other relevant outside sources.

Class activities will include lectures, group discussions on the topic (quizzes) on basic concepts (definitions), and terms (jargon) used in the basics components in the field of International Relations. Final research paired presentation (Powerpoint).

Student Attainment Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to read academic research papers critically and to discuss which area (s) they are interested in or what issue(s) they’d like to investigate further. That is, students will be able to
(1) Analyse, Evaluate, and Summarise academic research papers. Being familiar with the APA writing conventions
(2) Figure out various research questions from the assigned academic research papers.
(3) Formulate own research questions.
(3) Discuss and express their own opinions and perspectives on the issues.
(4) Present ideas/opinions on the issues (discussion questions).
(6) Integrating a wide range of academic sources, and presenting their findings, accompanied by a conference-ready oral presentation.

Recommended Preparatory Course

You must be familiar with the guidelines on writing essays and avoiding plagiarism:
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_01.pdf
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_08.pdf

Course Schedule

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

introduction to course objectives.

Reading: please read Making of the Modern World and answer the comprehension questions until Westphalian System pp1-4 (q1-11) for next week.

APA 7th edition sample paper provided on Manabe assignment.

2-4

Making of the Modern World

Chapter 1: The Making of the Modern World -
Research writing instruction: introduction to APA examples

5-7

International relations: 'Diplomacy' by Stephen McGlinchey

International Relations: The Basics Chapter 2: Diplomacy
research Writing: choosing a topic--finding sources

8-10

International Relations Theory

International Relations: The Basics
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY (Dana Gold & Stephen McGlinchey)
 Research writing: outline

11-12

Research writing instruction--presentation preparation

Research preparation: Documentation(in-text and final reference)
in class paired collaboration

13-15

The final presentation on paired research papers

Paired research papers and presentations

Class Format


[BCP Level 1 or 2]

・In principle, all 15 weeks (15 classes for once a week course, 30 classes for twice a week course) will be face-to-face.

・When a student is unable to attend face-to-face classes due to any of the following conditions, web-based follow-up will be provided for all classes. Students who fall under this category should notify their instructor by the first class.
[Conditions for web-based follow-up]

(1) When a student has a pre-existing condition/underlying health condition.

(2) When it is difficult for a student to commute to university due to concerns over putting cohabiting

family members at risk.

(3) When a student is unable to enter Japan due to international travel restrictions.

(4) Other valid reasons when a student has been impacted by COVID-19 and is under an unavoidable situation for which they are not responsible for.

[BCP Level 3 or 4]

・All 15 weeks (15 or 30 classes) will be web-based (Live-Streamed, using ZOOM): 15 or 30 ZOOM live-streamed lectures at the designated class hours/periods (i.e., 15 live-streamed classes for the once-a-week courses; 30 live-streamed classes for the twice-a-week courses).

※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 “Measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475

Recommendations for Private Study

Daily consultation of international media of several countries, political persuasions and levels of depth is strongly recommended. Besides browsing headlines, reading of investigative journalism and reports is essential in order to understand the background of an issue. Finally, purposeful comparative reading/watching (e.g. Japanese vs. American views on a controversial issue) should become a habit.

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

Homework assignments/ three reading worksheets 20%
final research paper 20%
Participation-Discussion 20%
final paired research presentation (20%)
vocabulary Quizzes (20%)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

There will be three reading on International Relations and subsequent worksheets;
There will be a discussion/writing component for each. A certain amount of research will be required, and students will be expected to document those sources.
Students will have two vocabulary quizzes.
Students will be required to give a presentation on an international conflict that was mediated by a peace organization and analyze the means of mitigation, terms of the agreement, and eventual success or failure of the intervention.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

(1) Be responsible for your owning learning (Responsibility/Self Management);
(2) Keep up with the assignments and do not fall behind (Meeting the deadline/Time Management)
(3) Read (understand) the designated readings in the textbook thoroughly (Preview).
(4) Make vocabulary notes and terminology notes (Organizing Skills).
(5) Make notes on quotes that you do not understand, and form questions or explain why you find it difficult to understand or unsure in 2-3 sentences. (Preview, Critical Thinking Skills)
(6) Type/copy quotes from the reading that either you are interested or you really disagree with. (Critical Thinking Skills, Academic Communication Skills)

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
International Relations Stephen Mcglinchey (ed) E-International Relations Publishing 978-1-910814-17-8 You can download the e-Textbook from the following link. https://www.e-ir.info/publication/beginners-textbook-international-relations/

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

You can download the e-Textbook from the following link. https://www.e-ir.info/publication/beginners-textbook-international-relations. Students are required to make copies of reading.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Basic Stems to Write Research Papers David Kluge, Matthew Taylor Cengage Learning ELT 978-4-86312-308-3

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

  This book is reserved at the library. Other materials will be provided by the instructor either in class or in the library.

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

Note: This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the 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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html