Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15513:IR18‐DE201 Global Studies Research (RA) § 15514:IR-DS205 Global Studies Research (RA) 2022 Spring Wed1 College　Of　International　Relations YAMADA MAYUMI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

MEIGAKUKAN　MG001

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

Class Outline and Method

In this course, we explore dynamic global issues as well as various research methodologies. Students learn foundation of interdisciplinary social (science) research, which is applicable to a wide range of subjects, particularly, in the fields of global studies and international relations.

The course will prepare students for conducting research on global studies: sustainable development (including SDGs), peace and security, human rights, gender, democratic governance, climate and disaster resilience, migration etc. Understanding philosophical worldview and the purpose of research, they will be able to: select a researchable topic; develop a feasible research question (or hypothesis); design research; critically review existing work (academic literatures); utilize applicable methods to collect and analyze data; prepare a research proposal; present/publish a paper; and widely disseminate knowledge in public

Ensuring students gain hands on research experience, with the process of learning by doing, we will complement a series of lectures with class discussion and workshops, where students will interact and learn from one another.

Student Attainment Objectives

By the end of the course, students can:

1. Keep abreast of dynamic global issues.

2. Develop researchable questions and/or hypothesis in the themes of Global Studies and/or International Relations, understanding a basic academic writing structure.

3. Explain basic research theories and concepts (philosophical worldview): Ontology, Epistemology, Methodology etc.

4. Find appropriate references, learning how to use various academic database (e.g. Web of Knowledge, ProQuest); keep bibliographical trails/records (Mendeley, Endnote); and exercise in evaluating references (articles/papers).

5. Review literature critically, build a theoretical framework, draw a concept map, and examine empirical evidence

6. Understand types of research and the approaches

7. Demonstrate research ethics

8. Utilize appropriate research methodology: collect and analyze data, utilizing qualitative, quantitative, mixed, case study methods etc.

9. Write a research proposal and disseminate a short research paper, supported by credible academic literatures (proper citation/quotation, APA style references) as well as critical argument and/or ideas that they have learned through the course exercise.

Recommended Preparatory Course

None

Course Schedule

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

Session 1: Introduction to Global Studies Research

1. Exploring global studies: Sustainable Development (Goals), Peace and Security, Human Rights, International Community
2. Social science research: exploring your global studies research topics, problems, questions (empirical and interpretive) and relevant concepts.
3. Reflection and Summary

2

Session 2: Global Studies and International Relations (I)

1. Global cross-cutting issues; humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, gender equality, democratic governance, climate and disaster resilience, etc.
2. Basic (academic) research structure
3. Reflection and Summary

3

Session 3: Global Studies and International Relations (II)

1. Nobody left behind: feminist, indigenous, and decolonizing research; multiculturalism; the disadvantaged and the marginalised; power; politics
2. Finding primary and secondary sources; library search; exploring different types of online resources, e.g. web of science/knowledge (WoS/WoK), other available online materials, and/or database/data archive relevant to Global Studies; how to keep bibliographical trails/records; exercise in evaluating references cited in articles/papers etc.
3. Reflection and Summary

4

Session 4: Research Theories and Concepts (I)

1. Inductive and deductive theories
2. Types of research: social science, legal, ethnographical, historical, applied, descriptive, comparative, evaluative, cultural; anthropological;
3. Reflection and Summary

5

Session 5: Research Theories and Concepts (II)

1. Philosophical worldview: metaphysics and epistemology;
2. Ontology, epistemology and methodology; Positivism; Interpretivism
3. Reflection and Summary

6

Session 6: Designing Research: Process (I)

1. Refine a research focus, question (normative, empirical and interpretive), hypothesis for research design
2. Select a research approach: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed, Case study methods
3. Reflection and Summary

7

Session 7: Designing Research: Process (II)

1. Preparing literature review: taking a good note; analyzing a text; critical versus descriptive review; theoretical framework; referencing.
2. Engaging with theory in research: build a theoretical framework; draw a conceptual map
3. Reflection and Summary

8

Session 8: Research Ethics

1. Research codes of ethics & ethics review process: honesty in research; building rapport with participants; handling sensitive material; dissemination; record keeping and disposing etc.
2. Ethics in research communication (plagiarism, citation, referencing. etc.)
3. Reflection and Summary

9

Session 9: Data Collection and Analyses (I): Methodological pluralism

1. Preparing data collection: secondary and primary data: qualitative, quantitative, mixed, case study; sampling, questionnaires, interviews, participatory observation; case, content, discourse, narrative analyses; coding
2. Develop and test a checklist of interview questions (an interview guide)
3. Reflection and Summary

10

Session 10: Data Collection and Analysis (II): Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods

1. Understand methodological pluralism (continued from session 9): explore various approaches, including quantitative, for complementing qualitative research
2. Analyze the interview results
3. Reflection and Summary

11

Session 11: Data Collection and Analysis (III): Class Workshop I

1. Complete the interview exercise, and start analyzing the results
2. Reflection and Summary

12

Session 12: Data Collection and Analysis (IV): Class Workshop II

1. Complete the analyses of the interview results (continued from session 11)
2. Reflection and Summary

13

Session 13: Writing up and disseminating research findings

1. Writing up a research proposal, project proposal; academic reporting and research publication
2. Public presentation; sharing knowledge; knowledge management
3. Reflection and Summary

14

Session 14: Presentation by Student (I)

1. Presentation of the research carried out by students.
2. Feedback and Reflection

15

Session 15: Presentations by Students (II)

1. Presentation of the research carried out by students.
2. Feedback and Reflection

Class Format

[BCP Level 1 or 2]

- More than half the total number of classes are to be conducted face-to-face. The remaining classes are to be conducted web-based.
- The format of the web-based classes [live-streaming or on-demand] will be announced on the manaba+R course page.
- Contact information of the course instructor: mayumi-y@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp
- Face-to-face classes may be continued even if the BCP Level is changed to 3 or higher during the semester.
- When a student is unable to attend face-to-face classes due to any of the following conditions, web-based classes will be provided. Students who fall under this category should notify their instructor by the first class.

[Criteria for web-based classes]
<1> Students who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill if infected, such as those with underlying conditions or chronic illness (*).
<2> Students living with a family member who is at high risk of becoming seriously ill if infected, such as those with underlying conditions or chronic illness (*).
<3> Students who are unable to enter Japan due to international travel restrictions.
(*) If the student has an underlying condition defined by the government, such as respiratory
disease, diabetes, heart failure, etc.

[BCP Level 3 or 4]

- In principle, all classes are to be conducted web-based; however, face-to-face classes may be offered, please carefully check your manaba+R course page.

※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 “Measures to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475

Recommendations for Private Study

1. Students are expected to go through the key reading materials in advance (before the class), which the instructor have provided for study preparation. This will help students engage in interactive discussion on key theories/concepts during the class.

2. Students are encouraged to do the reading (literature review) based on the following principles:

a. Who is/are the author/s? When was this written? Is it still relevant to date?
b. What is the thesis?
c. What is your argument? Why are you convinced, or not convinced by the existing knowledge (i.e. literature)?
d. What could be your new statement on the existing literature?

3. Students are strongly encouraged to do reflection exercise after respective session:

a. Write down what have you learnt from the theme(s)?
b. Make a few questions/points that you did not understand well (or disagreed)
c. Explore and read further materials that stimulate your interest, or ask the instructor for further references
d. Discuss class topic(s) with your friends, colleagues and the instructor inside and outside classes.


I have an open door policy in my office. If you wish to further discuss topics related to GSR, or need to have more learning materials, please feel free to schedule an appointment with me via email.

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 attendance & participation/contribution: 45 %
Writing Assignments: 40 %
Presentation: 15 %

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

1. Assessment for this course will be based on class attendance, participation/contribution, presentation of research paper in class (Session 14 & 15) and two main writing assignments.

2. More than 3 absence from the course may lead to "F", except officially approved absence (e.g. with a medical certificate). There is a series of important exercise and activities in class.



Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Two writing assignments:

1. A draft research proposal (around 1,500 words Submitted in week 8)
2. A final paper based on the research proposal (around 2,000-3,500 words (no more than 5,000 words please). Submitted after week 13/14.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Social research methods Bryman, A. Oxford University Press 9780199689453 5th ed.(2016)
The Craft of Research, 4th edition (2016) Booth, et al. The University of Chicago Press 9780226239736

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

The instructor is going to provide the reading materials (relevant text chapters); additional materials (articles) are posted on Manaba.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (2018) Creswell, J. SAGE 9781506386768
Researching the vulnerable: a guide to sensitive research methods Liamputtong. P SAGE 9781412912549

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 Comments

 
The instructor has worked for:

-United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Peacebuilding Officer
-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands
-UNDP Laos
-UNDP Maldives
-UNDP Kazakhstan
-United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD: Disaster Management) for Japan, Nepal (UNESCO), Bangladesh, Thailand and Sri Lanka
-UN University for Peace (Costa Rica - established by United Nations General Assembly)
【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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html