Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
10371:Academic Skills 2 (GA) § 10372:Intermediate Academic Skills (GA) § 10373:Special Lecture 2 (LA) 2022 Spring Mon2 College　Of　Law,College　Of　Social　Sciences,College　Of　International　Relations,College　Of　Letters,College　of　Image　Arts　and　Sciences MULLIGAN CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KEIGAKUKAN　KG003

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The main purpose of this course is to help students prepare to study abroad in a university academic setting.
In this course, students learn the comprehensive academic skills necessary for studying abroad including how to search for academic literature and papers and how to participate in discussions and give presentations.

The course will cover all skill areas. The syllabus will consist of two academic lectures on government and law. An overview of the APA research writing conventions. Academic reading on income inequality. There will also be research/discussion on several academic issues. Students will finish the course by doing an academic presentation on a topic of their choice.

This is a face-to-face (+ hybrid) course.
このコースは、対面式(＋ハイブリッド型) で実施されます
The majority of the classes will be face-to-face and all of them will be live-streamed. Others may only be live-streamed depending on the Covid levels. All assignments will be posted weekly on manaba+r.

Student Attainment Objectives

You will attain the below, especially in this course:
1)Students will acquire the comprehensive academic skills needed to study abroad and further improve their language skills.
2) be able to comprehend and analyze a variety of reading texts, employing both top-down and bottom-up skills, and develop the ability to make inferences and critical judgments about a text.
3) further, be able to take clearly formatted notes on lectures and be able to comprehend and analyze a variety of listening texts in order to form opinions and judgments about the topics.
4) also develop the oral communication skills and strategies necessary to discuss with accuracy and confidence a variety of issues related to the themes, using facts and statistics to support their points.
5) become familiar with the research writing process utilizing the APA conventions.
6) be able to give an academic presentation using a presentation application in a clear and cogent manner.
7) Improve critical thinking skills (by making assumptions, asking questions, etc.) and logical thinking skills (by making connections between ideas, answering questions, etc.).

Recommended Preparatory Course

You must be familiar with the guidelines on writing essays and avoiding plagiarism:
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_01.pdf
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/ir-navi/common/pdf/gogaku/gogaku_text_08.pdf

Course Schedule

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

Introduction to course objectives.
First Lecture: USA constitution and the three branches of government

Look at the three branches of government and how they check and balance each other.
Zoom Session

2 Week

USA constitution and the three branches of government

Lecture on three branches of government in the USA
Face-to-Face session

3 Week

USA constitution and the three branches of Government

Discussion on the differences between the USA Federalist system and the Japanese Parliamentary system
Face-to-Face session

4 Week

APA research writing conventions

APA research writing conventions: APA 7th edition: In-text citations and final reference
conventions
Face-to-Face session

5 Week

APA research writing conventions

APA research writing conventions: Research paper formating
Face-to-Face session

6 Week

Reading on Income Inequality in the USA.

Reading on Income Inequality in the USA
Face-to-Face session

7 Week

Reading on Income Inequality in the USA.

Discussion on Income Inequality and possible solutions.
Face-to-Face session

8 Week

Research discussion on Obesity in the USA

Research discussion on Obesity in the USA: collecting data on socio/economic /demographics of obesity
Face-to-Face session

9 Week

Research discussion on Obesity in the USA

Discussion on the causes and effects of obesity on the US population
Face-to-Face session

10 Week

Video: Understanding the Electoral Process

Understanding the US electoral college system
Face-to-Face session

11 Week

Comparing voter turnout USA/Japan

Examing the reason for low voter turnout and its effect on democracy
Face-to-Face session

12-15

class presentations

Students will give a paired informative presentation on some aspects of American culture.
Face-to-Face session

Class Format

English
Class method /format
BCP levels and the method of lessons
①[For BCP levels 1 and 2]
A) 1st lesson will be conducted as an online (real-time) session using ZOOM meetings.
B) From lessons 2 to 15 will be conducted as face-to-face sessions.
C) Those who cannot participate face-to-face can join the lessons via ZOOM online meetings; however, must submit necessary documents for permission before the 2nd lesson (as a general rule, sudden online participation is not allowed).

②[For BCP levels 3-4]
A) All the lessons will be conducted as an online (real-time) session using ZOOM meetings.

③Special not on the lessons and ZOOM session participations
A) Note that the lessons involve multiple interactive activities for students to improve peer learning.
B) Thus, we may also utilize online tools (ZOOM meetings) during face-to-face sessions. Therefore, additionally, you must be prepared with any electronic device (e.g., PC, tablet, or smartphone) to participate in these activities.
C) For online sessions, in addition to electronic devices, be sure to be in a place to sit and take the lessons without disturbances from unnecessary sounds, people, pets, etc.
D) All must be ready to switch on the cameras and unmute the mics at all times.
E) If you do the following actions during lessons, you will not receive any points for participation and contribution; middle of traveling, part-time work, voluntary/ internship workplace, etc.

Recommendations for Private Study

Daily consultation of international media of several countries, political persuasions and levels of depth is strongly recommended. Besides browsing headlines, reading of investigative journalism and reports is essential in order to understand the background of an issue. Finally, purposeful comparative reading/watching (e.g. Japanese vs. American views on a controversial issue) should become a habit.

In order to register for this course, students are required to have a minimum TOEFL(ITP) score of 480, TOEFL(iBT) score of 55, TOEIC (including TOEIC IP) score of 580, IELTS score of 5.0, or equivalent.”

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

Homework assignments: 50%
Presentation: 10%
Participation: 20%
Quizzes 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）


The grade evaluation method is the same under all BCP level situations。

50% Homework will consist of assignment worksheets to be completed and submitted as homework on Manaba.

10%Final Presentation: Students will be required to give a 16-minute presentation with a partner on an academic issue of their choice. They will be required to use a presentation application such as PowerPoint. These points and sources must be documented.

20% - Class participation: Every student starts with zero class participation points. Students must earn participation points.
You can earn participation points by:
*Demonstrating that you have done your homework on Manaba as well as
     submitting graded work
• speaking only English during class activities
• volunteering answers
• making an earnest effort for each class activity
• finishing your tasks in a timely and satisfactory manner
• having a positive attitude about learning
You will lose participation points by:
• finishing activities early or poorly
• making a poor effort or no effort to learn new skills
• disturbing the class
• speaking in Japanese
20% Quizzes there will be two vocabulary quizzes, mid-term and final.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

(1) Be responsible for your owning learning (Responsibility/Self Management);
(2) Keep up with the assignments and do not fall behind (Meeting the deadline/Time Management)
(3) Read (understand) the designated readings in the textbook thoroughly (Preview).
(4) Make vocabulary notes and terminology notes (Organizing Skills).
(5) Make notes on quotes that you do not understand, and form questions or explain why you find it difficult to understand or unsure in 2-3 sentences. (Preview, Critical Thinking Skills)
(6) Type/copy quotes from the reading that either you are interested or you really disagree with. (Critical Thinking Skills, Academic Communication Skills)

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

materials will be provided by the instructor

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 (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Note: This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
【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