Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12572:[2025 Fall]IR18‐BA104 English for International Studies IV (Advanced)(RA) 2025 Fall Tue1,Fri2 College　Of　International　Relations KIM WACHUTKA JACKIE J 2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

YUSHINKAN　YS401/YUSHINKAN　YS401

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.


The aim of English for International Studies is to familiarize students with theories, historical developments and current issues in the field of international relations while developing their reading and critical thinking skills. The course will emphasize a combination of practical academic skills for the purpose of gathering primary and extensive secondary data within the framework of theoretical content and analysis.

With this as the main foundation of this course, we will consider the following:
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.

Within this course, the students will actively select readings and present their thoughts through a verbal and written format. With each reading and presentation, the students must prepare an academic handout resume and power-point and be prepared to answer follow-up questions from the audience.


Student Attainment Objectives

1) Students will be able to attain critical thinking skills by reading, analyzing, deciphering challenging academic texts depicting social and philosophical theories that are the bedrock of international relations.
2) Students will gain an in-depth understanding of basic globalization theories. 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.
3) Students will be able to present their findings through an academically researched paper utilizing the in-class readings, as well as independently researched books, on-line journals, and multi-site periodicals. They will be able to deliver a detailed analysis of the subject and demonstrate their own interpretation or assessment of the collected data.
4) Students will practice their academic writing skills by paying close attention to: a) highlighting the main overall thesis statement b) following a specific, organized table of contents c) writing succinct sentences d) emphasizing topic-focused paragraphs e) making efforts toward smooth paragraph transitions f) understanding the importance of accurate citations of sources g) building a reference/bibliography page following the APA style 7th edition.

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: Live Stream Class (Up-coming Live stream classes will be discussed)
Self-introduction
Type a one page introduction of yourself (No specific word count). This is a free-style format.
-Discuss Group APA Presentation

Questions of self, identity and society

2-2

-Key Issues in the Study of Self and Identity: Read Kidd and Teagle (2012, pp.6-29)
-Notebook Entry #1: Answer the five questions on p. 7 that start with “How is culture patterned?

-Value judgment, choosing between cultures, myth of cultural integration
-Discovering APA Style 7th edition, Group Presentation starts

3-3

-Reading from Kidd and Teagle (2014) Culture and Identity.
-Group Work: Discovering APA Style 7th edition
-Notebook Entry #2 Kidd and Teagle (2012, p. 8) Exercise 2.3
-Think about Final Research Topic. Start gathering materials and sources for Final Research Project.

Culture, society and the individual, APA style Review

4-4

-Questions of self, culture and identity; Visual clip
-Write your thoughts utilizing the many concepts that were discussed in Kidd and Teagle in connection to the clip.
Notebook Entry #3 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. In 800 words, write in a free-style format, your own thoughts about these concepts and their interconnection and relationship.
-Watch uploaded clip




Symbolizing, structure, agency, society

5-5

Group Discussion of the readings and video clips.
-Summarize the reading in your own words.

-Notebook Entry #4: Summarize the reading in your own words. What are your thought on the themes discussed

Globalization, local cultures,

6-6

Group Discussion of the readings and video clips.
-Notebook Project Due
-Discuss Final Paper and Presentation

Choosing a research topic. cultural impact of globalization on self, identity, and culture.

7-7

-Gathering materials for Final Research Paper. Write an effective thesis statement:
What is the big question? What is the answer? -

-Short Overall reading quiz on Manaba
-Research Proposal, thesis statement

8-8

-Researching books, journals, on-line periodicals, newspaper articles, organizations.
-Write a bibliography of sources. Write the first draft and submit:

-Researching for sources, bibliography

9-9

Writing the first draft

Organizing research paper

10-10

Writing the first draft

Organizing research paper

11-11

-Final research paper preparation
-Prepare for the Research Presentation.

Research paper elements, preparing an APA style presentation

12-12

-Final Research Paper DRAFT Due
-Final Research Presentation

Final Presentation

13-13

Final Research Presentation

Final Presentation

14-14

-Final Research Presentation
-Final Paper Due (1,800 words)
-Class wrap up

Final Presentation
Final Paper Due

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 provided that the maximum number of online classes remains 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.

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

Students must keep up with the intensive reading and be prepared for periodic surprise reading tests. Do not procrastinate, read, take notes during lectures and discussions and maintain an organized notebook.

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

•Assignments 30% [Group APA Style PowerPoint, Reading quiz, Final Paper First Draft, other written works, Active verbal participation etc.]
•Notebook 20%
•Final Paper (1,800 words) 30%
•Final Presentation [PowerPoint presentation] 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

The students are required to read extensively. Students must keep up with the notebook entries, class readings and homework.
In-class active participation is crucial..

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Culture and Identity Kidd, W. Palgrave Macmillan 0333790022
Sociology and You Shepard, J. & Greene, R. McGraw-Hill 9780078285769
Questioning Identity: Gender, Class, Nation Woodward, K Routledge 0415222877
Global Sociology Cohen, R. & Kennedy, P Palgrave Macmillan 9780230293748
Sociology: Pop Culture to Social Structure Brym, R. & Lie, J. Wadsworth Cengage Learning 9781111833862
Multiculturalism: A Very Short Introduction Rattansi, Ali Oxford 9780199546039
The Ethnicity Reader: Nationalism, multiculturalism and Migration Guibernau, M. & Rex, J. Polity 9780745647012
International Relations: Perspectives and Controversies Shimko, K. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning 9780495797968
Introduction to Contemporary Social Theory Elliott, A & Lemert, C. Routledge 9780495797968
Globalization 101 SUNY Global Workforce Project on-line

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

[Important Note]
***Course studies and submission of assignments will be conducted via manaba+R.
***“Reading materials” will be uploaded on either Manaba or One-Drive and submissions will be made through the same portals.
*** This is a tentative schedule and changes may occur according to circumstances and levels of students.
*** Attendance will be taken during each class through Manaba. All important submissions such as quizzes, tests, and written works will be explained in full detail through written instructions and in class.
*** No late submissions allowed without legitimate reason.
***No submissions through e-mail without instructor's permission.
【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/