Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12692:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CB101 Academic Skills I (Advanced+) (RB) § 12693:RUIR-1101 Academic Skills I (Advanced+)(RB) 2025 Spring Mon4,Thu1 College　Of　International　Relations FABBRETTI MATTEO 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY308/RYOYUKAN　RY308

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

The aim of AS I 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. In class, students will analyze and evaluate assigned readings for content, structure, facts and opinion, language use, implied meaning and contradictions, compare opposing viewpoints and express their own standpoint supported by evidence from the text or other relevant outside sources. Class activities may include group discussions, oral presentations, formal debates as well as units on rhetoric, grammar refresher spotlights and short response papers. The focus of this course is on developing students' conceptual background, power of analysis, and sense of diversity. Formative evaluation is performed through class participation, including small quizzes and assignments as well as one or more essays, papers, and presentations, based on a rubric that targets each skill.

Student Attainment Objectives

-Students will be able to read academic and professional literature in the field of International Relations from a critical perspective, interpret it appropriately against a multicultural backdrop, and integrate information gleaned from the reading into their knowledge base to be used in subsequent assignments, further study or work-related tasks.
-Students will be able to respond to readings in speaking and writing, making reference to specific questions, issues or points, using appropriate terminology and demonstrating in-depth understanding of the reading in relation to its significance for theories, history and/or current events in the field of International Relations.
-Students will be able to apply a range of reading strategies on the textual, paragraph and sentence level, use syntactic and semantic cues to aid in local and global understanding, and employ cross-referencing to relate the text to its environment.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1-2

Introduction to Academic Skills

Course Introduction
Self-introduction

3-4

Appropriate writing style

Comparison between written and spoken styles
Strategies for developing an academic writing style

5-6

Referencing

Using quotations
Paraphrasing and summarising

7-8

Academic essay structure and layout

Basic structure of an academic essay

9-10

Coherence in writing

How to achieve coherence in writing
Coherence within a paragraph
Coherence between paragraphs

11-12

Accurate use of language

Issues with grammar, sentences, spelling

13-14

Types of University Written Assignments

Five types of essays

15-16

Preparation for midterm essay

Review topics from the first half of the semester

17-18

Developing Writing

Logical organisation and effective development of ideas

19-20

Methods of organisation

Classification or division, Logical enquiry, etc.

21-22

Introductions and conclusions

Role of introductions and conclusions, common problems, models for constructing introductions and conclusions

23-24

Paragraph structure and construction

Basic principles of paragraphing, effective topic sentences

25-26

The elements of argumentation

The topic and issue
The elements of argumentation

27

The issue and thesis statement

Explaining the issue
Writing the thesis statement

28

Preparation for final essay

Review topics from the second half of the semester

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

(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)

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

30% In-class participation and preparation
20% Homework assignments
20% Midterm essay
30% Final essay

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

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)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Course schedule may be modified based on student needs. Any such modifications will be clearly communicated to students in class and via manaba+R.
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