Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
13222:[2025 Spring]IR18‐FE201 Special Lecture (Core Related Course) (RB) § 13223:IR-EDS201 Special Lecture (Core Related Course) (RB) 2025 Spring Wed4 College　Of　International　Relations TAGAWA SHOHEI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS306

Language

英語

Course Outline and Method

[IMPORTANT!]
・Students who want to take this course must apply through online application forms in advance. Course participants will be selected based on the results of the document screening (Preference will be given to participants of the PBL program).
・The selected students must take the course "Special Lecture (Area Studies Course)" in the same semester to enhance their comparative perspective by exploring the cases in Thailand and Indonesia.
....................

This course aims to understand the history and current social issues regarding village communities and residential associations in Japan. And it aims to come up with solutions based on the Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The course includes lectures, group work and presentations.

The course will provide some basic insights about rural and urban communities in Japan: their historical development and the challenges they face right now. Students will focus on one of the social issues to elaborate it as well as to suggest a possible solution to it.

The ultimate objective of this course is to cultivate students' skill to work together and create outputs effectively and efficiently from multifaceted perspectives and a deep understanding of other cultures. Not only identifying the problems, but also suggesting and working out solutions with other students from different cultural backgrounds are key elements in this course.

* This course may include fieldwork in Kyoto if condition permits.

【+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.

Student Attainment Objectives

1. The students will be able to develop their thoughts on social issues concerning rural and urban residential communities in Japan and their own country by exchanging ideas and opinions with other students who have different cultural, social, and religious backgrounds.
2. The students will be able to consider practical and creative solutions in group from global and local viewpoints.
3. The students will be able to cultivate their skill to work together and create outputs effectively and efficiently from multifaceted perspectives and a deep understanding of other cultures.
4. The students will be able to expand his/her network of students who are interested in rural and urban communities in Japan and in other parts of the world.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction to Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

How to get started (Brainstorming, KJ-method)

2-3

Getting to know about your research interest

Research theme & literature search

4-5

Lecture: History and social issues concerning urban/rural communities in Japan

The instructor will provide an outline of social issues surrounding a village community in Kyoto

6

Group work: Brainstorming for research questions

Students will be divided into groups.

Each team is required to:
(1) Discuss what your team have to know about the social issue;
(2) List out what information is required;
and (3) Decide which information will be assigned to which team member.

7

Deciding group members
Group work: Share the results of group discussion

Each team is required to:
(1) Share information and resources, which each group member obtained;
and (2) Give a short presentation.

8-9

Group work: Identify the underlying causes of the issue

Each team is required to:
(1) Pose hypotheses about the underlying causes of the issue;
and (2) List out possible actions and solutions to the problem.

In the 9th lecture, each team is also required to prepare for group presentation in the following week.

10

Group/individual presentation

Each team/individual is required to make a presentation on the results of group work.

11-12

Group/individual research


Group work: Share the research results among your group members
[11th lecture] 
Each team is required to: (1) Discuss and list out necessary information and resources, which will help in formulating a solution to the problem; and (2) Decide which information can be assigned to which team member.

[12th lecture] 
Each team is required to share information and resources, which each group member obtained.

13

Group work: Formulate a practical solution

Each team is required to:
(1) Formulate a specific, practical solution;
and (2) Prepare for final group presentation in the following week.

14

Group presentation: Propose a solution

Each team is required to propose a solution.

Class Format

The class format will be principally face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

An individual/group research will be assigned in the 6th and 12th lectures.
Students are required to actively participate in group work.

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

Class attendance 40%
- Students who are absent five (5) times or more will be given F grade automatically.

Contribution to group work (discussion, preparation for presentation, presentation) 30%

Research assignments 30%
- Students will conduct a research and write a report (or write a research proposal)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

The instructor provides guidance to acquire basic knowledge and advice to students, but it is up to the students to play the main role in group research and discussion, identifying the problems and suggesting solutions.

Using Japanese will be acceptable in oral and mail communication if all the group members understand Japanese.

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）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

【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/