Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12708:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CB102 Academic Skills II (Advanced) (RC) § 12709:RUIR-1102 Academic Skills II (Advanced)(RC) 2025 Spring Wed3,Fri3 College　Of　International　Relations O’MOCHAIN ROBERT 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY208/RYOYUKAN　RY208

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 writing process demands attention to detail and the incorporation of feedback for each new dract. This course helps students go thourh this writing process and deepen their knowledge of essential writing skills.Additionally, the aim of this course is to solidify students' general writing, research and academic interaction skills They will review the literature of a given academic area and propose a research paper based on their evaluation. This research on a topic of their choice within International Studies, will integrate a wide range of academic sources, and prepare a conference-ready oral presentation. Class activities include a series of writing and editing sessions, critical discussions of research methods, research ethics and underlying research paradigms, as well as lectures and discussions on emerging theoretical and practical issues in IR. The focus of this course is on developing students' academic literacy and voice while creating a deeper understanding of the complex nature of academic research and scholarship.

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

The key objectives of the course relate to academic writing skills. By the end of this course, students will have refined and practised their academic skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, with a strong focus on academic writing, research, and academic interaction skills. Students will have prepared individual writing and oral presentations, and will have participated in group discussions and debates on topics of contemporary interest. Each student will have prepared an academic research paper on a significant global society issue.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introductory Matters; Self introductions; Overview of Writing Skills



Major theories within International Studies; Feminist theories: Psycho-Social Feminism: Internationalist Feminism

3-4

How researchers think about their projects
Gender Discrimination; Men’s Rights Movement; Masculinities studies; Harassment; Incivility and bullying


Inventing: Composing research questions
Conversing with your readers; Learning from readers’ comments

Arguments/ Topic, Question, Significance

5-6

Identity and identity pressures
Gender Harassment: Quid pro quo: Unwanted sexual attention
dentifying Systemic Sexism in a country or region: Case Study Japan

How researchers think about their answers/ arguments
How you can best think about your project; Planning your research schedule

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

7-8

Research; Finding a model of cause and effect; Research questions and topics; Counter-arguments: Acknowledgement and Response



Historical roots of sexism in a country or region
International Status Anxiety
First book review


Sexism and political leadership
Political discourse surrounding "Comfort Women" issues: A cross-state comparison

Summaries/Quotations/Paraphrases: The Backlash Argumentative Essay

9-10

Academic Writing Module (AWM):Academic warrants: False views of research
Two kinds of research questions; How to choose a research topic


Sexism and reactionary political groups; Identifying a “chilling effect”
Male hysterical subjectivity:
Second book review

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

11-12

Question your topic;
 How to find a topic and question in a source; Academic Writing Module (AWM): Critical Thinking and Research Questions


Issues surrounding sex work and human trafficking

Historical grievances surrounding “Comfort Women” and wartime labor cases

13-14

Presentation Skills

Mid-Term Presentations

15-16

Systematic search for sources; Academic Writing Module (AWM): Primary and Secondary Sources

Role of demographic pressures and sexist discourse; Legislation to deal with GBV: Criminal vs Civil Law
Trans-national campaigns for gender equality
Backlash against Gender Justice campaigns

17-18


Full and accurate citations;
Relevance and reliability of sources; Academic Writing Module (AWM): Research Ethics


Global impact of the #MeToo campaign
Chilling effects on victims of sexual abuse: "The Big Lie" argumentative essay


19-20

Reading sources critically; Participants in research; Ethical issues in research; Academic Writing Module (AWM): Critical Reading: Research Proposals


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


Activism against sexual exploitation: IGO and NGO initiatives

21-22

Taking notes systematically; Academic Writing Module (AWM): Different types of essays and academic papers

Activism against sexual exploitation: Case study: Japan
Sexual Abuse and gender harassment in education: IGO and NGO initiatives

23-24


Constructing your argument; Drafting your paper; Revision strategies for research papers;
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Making a core argument: Counter-argument

Academic Writing Module (AWM): Different types of essays and academic papers


Sexual Abuse and gender harassment in education: Case Study Japan


Masculinities studies and Men’s Rights Movement: Global perspectives

25-26

Presentation Skills

Final Presentations

27-28

Citing sources
Academic Style

Final Re-cap of key course themes
Our favourite works of political art

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)

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


Mid-term paper: 15%
Final research paper: 20%
1st Quiz: 10% (Based on 3 key texts)
2nd Quiz: 10% (Definitions of academic vocabulary)
Mid-term presentation: 15%
Final presentation: 20%
Attendance, Punctuality, and Participation in classroom discussion: 10%

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)

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

Other Comments

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