Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16906:[2025 Fall]Cross-cultural Studies (GA) 2025 Fall Wed4 College　Of　Law,College　Of　Social　Sciences,College　Of　Letters OGINO NAOYUKI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

SEISHINKAN　SE206

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

Course name : "Cross-cultural Studies: Physical, Mental and Theoretical approaches for intercultural understanding with the elements of the Martial arts and the Arts."

In this course students will read academic literature and papers dealing with humanities and social sciences and discuss them. The goal of this course is for students to improve their ability to think by discussing the knowledge gleaned from academic literature.（全クラス共通）

In this course students will introspect existence of unconscious stress lurking in the body and obtain knowledge to confront and discuss the issues faced by society today, such as language, globalization, multicultural symbiosis etc. Through experiences in martial arts, art appreciation, and theoretical discussions, students will become aware of the stress on their bodies, confront their preconceptions and prejudices, and learn the importance of overcoming them in order to deepen intercultural understanding.

This course focuses and links on the following three axes ("Body", "Heart" and "Head").

Physical (Body) Aspect - [Martial Arts Experience]
Students will firsthand experience the essence of Aikido, simplified as an extension of a hug or handshake. They will compare the tension, relaxation, and other sensations within it to body reactions during cross-cultural encounters, considering ways to manage them.

Mental (Heart) Aspect - [Art Appreciation]
Students will appreciate art using the Visual Thinking Strategy.
Students will discuss personal well-being, growth, and psychological development through cross-cultural experiences.

Theoretical (Head) Aspect - [Theory]
Key theories and concepts from intercultural communication and learning psychology will be introduced.

This course aims to enrich learning by integrating martial arts and the arts into academic studies. A mix of teaching methods, including lectures, Aikido experiences, group activities, presentations, and discussions, will be utilized.

* The course will be conducted face-to-face and will involve "physical contact" between the lecturer and students or among students to experience elements of the Martial arts. (There will be no punching or kicking. Interactions will only involve light grabbing or pushing, akin to handshakes or hugs.)

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will be able to read academic literature and papers dealing with humanities and social sciences and discuss them. They will also acquire advanced academic skills by writing essays based on these discussions.

Recommended Preparatory Course

In order to register for this course, students are required to have a minimum TOEFL(ITP) score of 480, TOEFL(iBT) score of 55, TOEIC (including TOEIC IP) score of 580, IELTS score of 5.0, or equivalent.

Course Schedule

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

Introduction to the Course

Learning Principles of this Course
[Theory] "Experiential Learning Theory","Johari window", etc.
[Martial arts EXP] Aiki-style experience
【+R-Jugyo】For the details, go to "Reference Video" below

2

Culture, Groups and Identity

[Martial arts EXP] Up and down of the neck and body reactions
[Art appreciation] Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS) and facilitation
[Theory] "What is culture?", "What does cultural difference mean?", etc.

3

Culture and value orientation

[Martial arts EXP] Left and right of the neck and the body reactions
[Art appreciation] VST of Artwork A
[Theory] "Value conflicts", etc.

4

Culture and Communication (1)

(*) with External lecturer Mr. Yuma Matsuoka (Pianist)
[Theory] "Mechanisms of intercultural communication, Verbal and non-verbal communication"
<Reference text> M.J. Bennett (ed.). Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication.

5

Culture and Communication (2) : Emotional body work

(*) with External lecturer Mr. JIDAI (Mime Artist)
[Emotional body work]
[Theory] "Various communication styles (high/low context, direct/indirect, etc.)"
<Reference text>. Bennett, J. M. (1998). Transition shock: Culture shock in perspective. In M.J. Bennett (ed). Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 215-223.

6

Culture and Communication (3)

[Martial arts EXP] Flat and warp of the back
[Art appreciation] VST of Artwork B
[Theory]"Verbal and non-verbal communication", etc.

7

Cultural Transition and Adaptation (1)

[Martial arts EXP] Shoulders and elbows up and down
[Theory] "Psychological mechanisms and symptoms of culture shock.", etc.

*** Mid-term paper due: 1 week later

8

Cultural Transition and Adaptation (2)

[Martial arts EXP] Flexion and Extension
[Art appreciation] VST of Artwork C
[Theory]"Intercultural sensitivity", etc.
<Reference text> Bennett, M. J. (1998). Intercultural Communication. Current Perspectives. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1-34.
<Reference text> Interactions between North American and Japanese: Considerations of Communication Styles. in M.J. Bennett (ed.).

9

Intercultural competence development (1)

(*) Joint class with Stanford University students
[Practical learning] Photography assignments with non-verbal communication
[Theory]"Intercultural sensitivity", etc.
<Reference text> Bennett, M. J. (1998). Intercultural Communication. Current Perspectives. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1-34.

10

Intercultural competence development (2)

[Martial arts EXP] Seeds of Tanden
[Art appreciation] VST of Artwork D
[Theory] "Intercultural development continuum","Social contact hypothesis", etc.

11

Group Project (1)

[Martial arts or Arts expression] Improvisation 1
Group project assignment, group organization, discussion on topics

12

Group project (2)

[Martial arts or Arts expression] Improvisation 2
Preparation, consultation

13

Group project (3)

[Martial arts or Arts expression] Improvisation 3
Poster Fair

14

Course Summary and Reflection

Course Summary and Reflection

*** Final paper due: 1 week later

Class Format

Unless otherwise announced, classes will be conducted face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

(1) The course will be taught in English, and other languages such as Japanese may be used if agreed. Since English is not the first language for many of the students, please try to help each other and utilize various communication methods for meaningful communication to go beyond linguistic and cultural barrier.
(2) Students are expected to complete reading assignments before each class, and to participate actively in classroom activities.

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

Reflections 2%x14= 28%
Mid-term paper 22%
Group project 28%
Final paper 22%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

<5 or More Absences Will Result in a Failing Grade!>
Attendance is required for at least 10 out of 14 classes. In other words, up to 4 absences are allowed while still earning credit, but if you are absent 5 times, you will not receive credit for the course.
Ritsumeikan University offers a "Public Absence" policy, which provides certain accommodations. Please refer to the following website for detailed information:
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/course/absence.html/

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

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,Interactive Sheet,Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

In this course, students are expected to understand and respect the following learning principles.
1. intercultural learning
Students will respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of their classmates and learn from each other.
2. cooperative learning
Students will help each other to maximize learning throughout this course.
3. content and process learning
Students learn not only from the content of the course, but also from the process of individual and collective learning.

This course tries to acquire the "intelligence to live freely" that Ritsumeikan University's liberal arts education aims to provide by examining the influence and role of "culture" in communication, perception, and human relations, and by incorporating elements of the Martial arts and the Arts into academic studies.
【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/