Ritsumeikan University Syllabus

Course Name	Year	Term	Period	Faculty / Graduate School	All Instructors	Credits
16061:IR18‐BA104 English for International Studies IV (Advanced)(RG) § 16063:IR-BAR104 English Ⅳ (G)	2024	Fall	Tue2,Fri1	College　Of　International　Relations	HARPER JULIA	2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY206/RYOYUKAN　RY206

Language

Course Outline and Method

This course is for students with a high advanced level of English ability and will focus on academic writing skills, although reading, speaking, and listening skills will also receive attention. Main tasks will include various writing assignments, the writing of an academic paper, a group research project, reading and summarizing articles, and short discussions and presentations. Emphasis will be placed on active participation while thinking and writing critically about various themes relevant to international relations.

Student Attainment Objectives

In this course, students should expand their ability to work both as individuals and in groups, learn to better express themselves in writing (journals and academic writing assignments) and in discussions or presentations, develop the skills needed to research and write an academic paper, and master the basic rules for using references and citations in APA style. Students will also be encouraged to further develop critical thinking skills by looking at various issues from different points of view.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Students should have completed English II in the first term.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors)	Theme
Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors)	Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
Week 1, Classes1〜2	Course explanation; Review paragraphing
Week 1, Classes1〜2	Review basic writing skills, paragraphing, topic sentences, questions and answers
Week 2, Classes 3〜4	Introduction to final paper; Topic choice; Research skills; Research outlines
Week 2, Classes 3〜4	Models and examples, research outlines and papers, organizing a paper, academic sources: books, journals, Internet
Week 3, Classes 5〜6	Academic honesty 1: Paraphrasing and summarizing
Week 3, Classes 5〜6	Plagiarism (copy/paste), translation software, acceptable and unacceptable paraphrasing, references and citations, quotations
Week 4, Classes 7〜8	Academic honesty 2; References and citations
Week 4, Classes 7〜8	APA style review, useful resources, references and citations in detail, quotations, edited books
Week 5, Classes 9〜10	Literature reviews
Week 5, Classes 9〜10	Organization, logical order, topic sentences, language use
Week 6, Classes 11〜12	Data and statistics
Week 6, Classes 11〜12	Graphs and charts, examples, relevant language use and punctuation, writing numbers, percentages, and decimals, explanation, sources
Week 7, Classes 13〜14	Introductions; Thesis sentences, Plan sentences
Week 7, Classes 13〜14	Opening, background, general-specific paragraphs, thesis and plan sentences
Week 8, Classes 15〜16	Discussion section of a paper; Critical thinking
Week 8, Classes 15〜16	Summarizing, analyzing and explaining, expressing opinions, making arguments and suggestions, point of view, language use
Week 9, Classes 17〜18	Presentations and discussion I (Groups 1 and 2)
Week 9, Classes 17〜18	Visuals, delivery, question and answer, reviewing, journal writing, sharing information, making suggestions, peer editing
Week 10, Classes 19〜20	Presentations and discussion II (Groups 1 and 2)
Week 10, Classes 19〜20	Visuals, delivery, question and answer, reviewing, journal writing, sharing information, making suggestions, peer editing
Week 11, Classes 21〜22	Language use; Conclusions; Peer editing Conclusions; Language use; Introduction to primary research
Week 11, Classes 21〜22	Summarizing, past versus present perfect, number, transition expressions, peer editing, checklists
Week 12, Classes 23〜24	Language use; Introduction to primary research
Week 12, Classes 23〜24	Academic language use, tense and aspect, dependent and independent clauses, run-on sentences, peer support, checklists, primary research versus secondary research
Week 13, Classes 25〜26	Primary research group project I: Research questions, research methods, creating questionnaires
Week 13, Classes 25〜26	Brainstorming, choosing a topic, research questions, participants, creating questionnaires, piloting questionnaires
Week 14, Classes 27〜28	Primary research group project II: Analyzing data and creating graphs and charts
Week 14, Classes 27〜28	Grounded theory, graphs, explaining results/findings, interviewing, organizing a report
Week 15, Classes 29〜30	Primary research group project III: Sharing research findings
Week 15, Classes 29〜30	Presenting results, making claims, asking and answering questions

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

Preparing for written assignments and presentations outside of class will be essential, and some assignments will require in-depth research. Class time will be reserved for explanations, examples, peer editing, questions and discussion. Details will be provided in class.

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 (20%) Practice Writing Journals (20%) Review Paragraph (10%) Presentation (10%) Final paper (30%) Primary research group project (10%)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Attendance is essential as important information about the required writing style for the various assignments will be provided in every lecture. Deadlines for written assignments must be respected, and some assessment will take place in the classroom. Journals will be used for paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting and other important writing practice and are, therefore, an important component of the class. Students are advised not to fall behind and to contact the instructor in the case of absence.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Details to be provided in class.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No textbook. Students will receive necessary materials in the form of handouts.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Details to be provided in class.

Web Pages for Reference

Details to be provided in class.

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Communication Paper,Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

The class schedule may be altered slightly over the course of the term in response to the needs and pace of the class.

Writing is an important skill and can also be enjoyable!

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