Ritsumeikan University Syllabus

Course Name	Year	Term	Period	Faculty / Graduate School	All Instructors	Credits
12573:[2025 Fall]IR18‐BA104 English for International Studies IV (High‐Intermediate)(RB)	2025	Fall	Tue1,Fri2	College　Of　International　Relations	MULLER STEPHEN	2

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY206/RYOYUKAN　RY206

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.

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

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors)	Theme
Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors)	Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
Week 1: Classes 1-2	Introduce the structure of an Academic Essay: Introduction with a thesis statement, main body, and conclusion. The students will also be keeping a daily diary which will be written at home and checked in each class. To avoid plagiarism and the use of AI software all other writing exercises will be completed in the classroom. However, research can be conducted at home.
Week 1: Classes 1-2	How to write a strong thesis statement.
Week 2: Classes 3-4	How to write effective introductions.
Week 2: Classes 3-4	How to write effective conclusions.
Week 3: Classes 5-6	Writing an anecdote.
Week 3: Classes 5-6	Complete and edit the anecdote. Practice using "the" and "a" correctly.
Week 4: Classes 7-8	Writing a critical review (students can choose a book, movie, play, or musical performance)
Week 4: Classes 7-8	Complete and edit the critical review. Practice common mistakes made with tenses. Review the past tense and the past participle used in the present and past perfect tense.
Week 5: Classes 9-10	Writing a journalistic article.
Week 5: Classes 9-10	Complete and edit the journalistic article. Practice complicated word order in English
Week 6: Classes 11-12	Writing a "compare and contrast " essay
Week 6: Classes 11-12	Complete and edit the "compare and contrast" essay. Work on common grammatical mistakes.
Week 7: Classes 13-14	Writing a Problem/Solution essay 1.
Week 7: Classes 13-14	Complete and edit the Problem/Solution essay 1. Work on common grammatical mistakes
Week 8: Classes 15-16	Problem/Solution essay 2. This time the essay will include citations. Work on writing in-text citations and References (APA style)
Week 8: Classes 15-16	Complete and edit Problem/Solution essay 2. Check all citations have been listed correctly
Week 9: Classes 17-18	Writing an Academic (opinion) essay 1. The instructor will provide the topic and some material for discussion. Students will have to do follow up research at home
Week 9: Classes 17-18	Complete and edit the Academic (opinion) essay 1. Work on common grammatical mistakes.
Week 10: Classes 19-20	Academic (opnion) essay 2. The instructor will provide the topic and some material for discussion. Students will have to do follow up research at home.
Week 10: Classes 19-20	Complete and edit the Academic (opinion) essay 2. Work on common grammatical mistakes.
Week 11: Classes 21-22	Writing an Academic (arguing) essay 1. The instructor will provide the topic and some material for discussion. Students will have to do follow up research at home.
Week 11: Classes 21-22	Complete and edit the Academic (arguing) essay 1. Work on common grammatical mistakes.
Week 12: Classes 23-24	Academic (arguing) essay 2. The instructor will provide the topic and some material for discussion. Students will have to do follow up research at home.
Week 12: Classes 23-24	Complete and edit the Academic (arguing) essay 2. Work on common grammatical mistakes.
Week 13: Classes 25-26	Writing for an Academic presentation. The students can choose their own topic.
Week 13: Classes 25-26	Work on techniques for effective presentations including the creation of an impactful power point.
Week 14: Classes 27-28	Student academic presentations with Q & A and feedback.
Week 14: Classes 27-28	Student academic presentations with Q & A and feedback.

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)
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 (20%) Writing Journals (20%) Paragraphs: Introductions and Conclusions (10%) Main Body Paragraphs: descriptive, narrative, example, opinion, compare and contrast (10%) Full Academic Essays with citations (40%)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Regular attendance is essential as a substantial amount of assessment will take place during the
class time.
Late assignments: Assignments submitted after the due date will receive a lowered grade.
Any assignment that has been influenced by AI software will receive a zero grade which will greatly
impact the final grade, possibly leading to failure in the course.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN Code	Comment
Structure, Structure,Structure	Stuart Gale,ShunpeiFukuhara, TimCross	Nan'Un-Do	978-4-523-17704-3C0082

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Supplementary materials will be handed out by the instructor.

Reference Books

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)

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

Other Comments

The syllabus contents, schedule, or format may be altered as the semester progresses, to suit the
needs and learning pace of the class.

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