Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16200:IR18‐CB102 Academic Skills II (Proficient) (RA) § 16201:RUIR-1102 Academic Skills II (Proficient)(RA) 2024 Spring Wed3,Fri3 College　Of　International　Relations O’MOCHAIN ROBERT 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY207/RYOYUKAN　RY207

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The broad themes of this course are ‘Silence,’ ‘Solidarity,’ and ‘The Social Contract.’ The contract between rulers and ruled raises significant questions about the rights of groups versus the rights of individuals. These rights are synthesized when the circle of social solidarity is expanded. In the meantime, certain citizens who have a right to speak out about injustices, remain silent. These broad themes are explored through a case study of Japan from a gendered lens.
Japan’s entry into the international system produced a national trauma that reverberates even today in the phenomenon of International Status Anxiety (ISA). This course explains how ISA has affected the reception of calls to acknowledge historical crimes. The politicization of issues surrounding historical crimes of wartime sexual violence bears consequences for victims of sexual abuse in contemporary Japan, as well as shaping Japan’s image among its nearest neighbors.
In addition, the course systematically explains the fundamental tenets of academic writing, reasoned argumentation, and research methodology.

Feedback is provided by the instructor for Manaba Forum contributions and for all written work. Students engage in groupwork, pairwork, and classroom discussion in response to material provided by the instructor.

Student Attainment Objectives

• Based on the idea that writing is a recursive series of choices, students will make sophisticated choices in their own writing.
• Students will give critical feedback to their peers' writing and apply critical feedback on their writing.
• Students will formulate an original, increasingly complex thesis in their writing projects and develop that thesis into a well-supported argument.
• Students will use a range of research methods and incorporate source material into their writing so that it develops and supports their ideas.
• Students will develop effective and appropriate organizational strategies for their writing.
• Students will practice critical thinking and reading skills, so that they can devise original ideas, rather than simply echo the ideas of others.
• Students will evaluate the credibility of sources, use academic/scholarly resources, and incorporate sources effectively and ethically.
.

Recommended Preparatory Course

None

Course Schedule

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

Introductions; Overview of the course

The prevalence of sexual abuse/ Social Movement organizations: Success or failure?

2

In the shadow of male hysteria: International status anxiety

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Arguments/ Topic, Question, Significance

3

Comparative case studies: Content Analysis

Gender Discrimination; Men’s Rights Movement; Masculinities studies
Harassment; Incivility and bullying

4

Male hysteria and “Hard” styles of masculinity

Counter-arguments: Acknowledgement and Response

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Arguments/ Claim, Reasons, Evidence

5

Japan’s inter/national self-image shadowed by male hysteria
Identifying Systemic Sexism in a country or region: Case Study Japan

Counter-claims; Counter arguments
Academic Writing Module (AWM):Academic warrants: False views of research

6

International Status Anxiety: Two Surveys and Summary

Summaries/Quotations/Paraphrases

7

Sexism and political leadership
Text on Male-Directed CRSV

Academic Writing Module (AWM): academic warrants

8

Appeals to the past; Appeals to feelings

Academic Writing Module (AWM): False views of research

9

Nationalism and gender issues in particular countries
Political discourse surrounding "Comfort Women" issues: A cross-state comparison

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Critical Thinking

10

Issues surrounding sex work and human trafficking
Japan's Global Image and the Johnny Kitagawa Scandal

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Practical Research Question
Statistical evidence; Credibility and corroboration
Examples and anecdotes; Facts and factual claims

11

Historical grievances surrounding “Comfort Women” and wartime labor cases

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Theoretical research questions
Certainty and plausibility

12

Legislation to deal with Gender-based violence: Criminal vs Civil Law

 
Academic Writing Module (AWM):Storyboards
Deductive argument;

13

 Initiatives and campaigns to challenge sexual violence in areas of military conflict; male-directed sexual violence

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Finding a logical order
Conditional claims

14

In the shadow of male hysteria: Retaliation anxiety

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Primary Sources
Logic and truth

15

Presentation skills

Mid-term presentations

16

Presentation skills

Mid-term presentations

17

Trans-national campaigns for gender equality

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Secondary sources
Belief and opinion

18

Extreme nationalism and organized criminal organizations

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Tertiary sources
Bias and neutrality

19

Issues surrounding former military "comfort women": Affect on inter-state relations

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Critical Reading
Values and principles

20

The Legacy of “Hard Faction Masculinity”: A Chilling Effect

Academic Writing Module (AWM): 4 types of disagreement
Over-simplifications

21

The Cases of Ito Shiori and Gonoi Rina
Backlash against Gender Justice Campaigns

 
Activism against sexual exploitation: IGO and NGO initiatives
Academic Writing Module (AWM):Taking Notes

22

Prospects for a brighter future/(Re-)Making History

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Fleeting, Literature, and Permanent Notes
Consistency and coherence

23

Legal Reforms/Transforming Education
Elementary to university level

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Making a core argument

24

Contributions from study participants

Sexual Abuse and gender harassment in education: Case Study Japan
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Counter-arguments

25

Structured discussion for change

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Planning a first draft

26

Quotation and referencing

Masculinities studies and Men’s Rights Movement: Global perspectives
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Key terms

27

Projections for gender equality in the 21st century

Vagueness and definition; Assumptions
Quiz on key points from course

28

Presentation skills

Final Presentations

29

Presentation skills

Final presentations

30

Final Review

Evaluations and wrap-up; final summary of course themes

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

As much as possible, develop habits of intellectual curiosity. Take note of any issues that might form interesting research questions. Students are expected to come to class prepared (readings, short assignments) and spend about 180min on course-related studies outside of class per week Keen an active interest in global news events and analysis of political events. Make use of useful academic resources such as Google Scholar, but refrain from accessing Internet sources that lack credibility. Check out books and journals on the shelves of the campus library as a way to stimulate your imagination as a producer of knowledge, not just a passive consumer of data. Use the Writing Tutorial Centre to hone your skills in the production of academic style texts that reflect and deepen your own research interests. Use the Beyond Borders Plaza to form friendships that broaden your outlook and interests. Focus on your own academic excellence and improvement.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written) 0

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)		 0

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Literature Review: 15%
Final research paper: 20%
Quiz 15%
Mid-term presentation (Individual): 15%
Final presentation: 20% (Paired)
Attendance, Punctuality, and Participation in classroom discussion: 15%


Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Assignments cannot be submitted after the deadline.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

1) Summarize any reading in five sentences for future reference.
2) Design your own glossary (list of vocabulary items from readings).
3) Review last class's notes if you get to the classroom early.
4) Prepare for class and participate actively. This helps you remember.
5) Find your own related interest outside of class (movies, books, websites/news feeds...)
6) Make friends with Japanese students and other international students on campus and beyond.
7) Plan on study abroad/working holidays or some big goal.
8) Set yourself weekly/monthly goals and check whether you accomplish them.
9) Study a little everyday (e.g. on the train).
10) Eat healthy, sleep enough and get some exercise!

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No textbook is required for this course. Materials will be uploaded onto Manaba+R or provided in class

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Sexual Abuse and Education in Japan: In the (Inter)National Shadows Robert O'Mochain and Yuki Ueno Routledge 978-1-032-31023-7

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)

Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

If you have any questions or problems you can contact me at my institutional e-mail address
robert01@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp


Attendance: 2/3 attendance is mandatory, 3 x late = 1 absence, no preparation or participation = no points
Submission: both upload on manaba+R; hard copy required as indicated by instructor, late submissions lose 10% per class session
Plagiarism: first occurrence triggers warning & 60% maximum deduction after revision; repeat occurrence results in automatic F
Presentations: need to be spontaneous if somewhat rehearsed, reading from a script will result in an F grade
Class etiquette: create a positive learning environment, help your classmate, stay focused, refrain from SNS use & noisy chatting
【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