Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12702:[2025 Fall]IR18‐CB101 Academic Skills I (Advanced) (RG) § 12703:RUIR-1101 Academic Skills I (Advanced)(RG) 2025 Fall Mon4,Thu1 College　Of　International　Relations MATSUO SCOT 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY301/RYOYUKAN　RY301

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.

The aim of Academic Skills 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 assignments as well as one or more exams and presentations.

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

Introduction and outline of the course

Class objectives, how classes will proceed, and
how grades are assigned.

2

Introduction to textbook and homework.

Online component and sign up. Critical thinking skills

3

Critical thinking skills cont.

Introduction to reading academic texts

4

Critical reading

Skimming and scanning

5

Critical reading continued

Note taking for gist and details

6

Anatomy of arguments

Recognizing the main ideas

7

Sociology in International Relations

How to use outside sources and find resources on the internet.

8

Understanding cohesion

Recognizing patterns in reading: cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution

9

Making outlines of readings

Design graph and trends from readings

10

Develop reading fluency

Increase reading fluency through speed reading and other techniques

11

Understanding nominalization

Imagine and discuss factors that influence the accuracy of teaching

12

Interpretation of visuals in reading

Understand text references to visuals

13

Distinguishing fact from opinions

Recognizing opinion statements and interpret facts

14

Preparation for midterm exams

Review topics from the first half of the semester

15

Midterm exam and review of answers

The Midterm exam will reflect students' reading comprehension and reading skills learned

16

Understanding Implication and inferences

Distinguish between implications and direct statements/ paraphrasing

17

Evaluating evidence

Recognize and deal with faulty rhetoric

18

Synthesize information from several sources

Understand and review multiple perspectives

19

Understand definitions and classifications

Recognizing and understanding definitions within a text

20

Thinking about strategy

Recognize leaders of change within international relations

21

Market Prices and Values

Understanding poverty and minimum wage values

22

Understanding world health issues

Review different diseases which affect people around the world

23

Education around the world

How education affects change within countries, populations, and economies

24

Understanding Environmental problems

Researching a major pollutant and effects on the planet and humans

25

Overview of presentation project

Review grading and standards for presentations

26

Review topics and practice presentations

Prepare PowerPoint slides and practice with partners.

27

Presentations on topics chosen from the textbook by the students

Students will evaluate their peers

28

Final exam and discussion.

In class writing exam followed by discussion.

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 provided that the maximum number of online classes remains 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

Visit the Beyond Borders Plaza.
Preview readings and research information about the topic.

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

In class participation 20%
Homework 20%
In class presentations 15%
Mid term 15%
Final Research Paper 15%
Final Exam 15%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Teacher will provide handouts at the beginning of class

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)

Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

The syllabus may be changed to meet the needs of the students.
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