Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
35086:[2025 Fall]Cross-cultural Encounters 2 (G3) § 35087:Basic Communication Skills (G3) 2025 Fall Tue2 College　Of　Economics,College　of　Science　and　Engineering,College　of　Gastronomy　Management,College　of　Life　Sciences,College　of　Sport　and　Health　Science　(tentative　name) TAMURA YU 2

Campus

BKC

Class Venue

Forest102

Language

English and Japanese

Course Outline and Method

Through discussions this course will focus on a variety of values. Through understanding and respecting differences in opinion and values students will learn how to negotiate and reach compromises with each other. Mostly held in English (Japanese support available, if needed). For discussions, we will randomly divide the class into different groups each time, creating opportunities for communication with a diverse group of people.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students’ tolerance and acceptance of others will be increased through discussions with students with different cultural backgrounds. Students’ problem solving ability will improve by acquiring skills in negotiating and finding compromises with people with differing opinions.

Recommended Preparatory Course

This course will be conducted in English (main) and Japanese (upon necessity), so students should be able to perform English proficiency equivalent to TOEFL ITP 400/ TOEFL iBT 32/ TOEIC 380 / IELTS 4.5 or above. Please remember the following points to make the course beneficial to all the participants. (1) Try to use the language that you are learning, (2) Try to use your mother tongue (if it is English or Japanese) in an understandable way to your counterparts, and (3) Try to be active and collaborative in your learning process.

Course Schedule

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

Orientation

Objectives, method of evaluation, schedule, self-introductions 【+R-Jugyo】For the details, go to "Reference Video" below

2

What is cross-cultural communication?

Lecture and discussion

3

Multilingual and multicultural situations and their challenges in Japan

Lecture and discussion

4

Verbal and nonverbal communication

Lecture and discussion

5

Encounters with others through the media

Lecture and discussion

6

Movie watching: “Babies”

A documentary film (2010) by Thomas Balmès that follows the growth of four babies from Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the US.

7

Reflection: “Babies”

Individual presentation and discussion in small groups

8

Team building for cross-cultural team

Lecture and Discussion

9

Group project

Group making, presentation topic setting

10

Group project

Groupwork

11~13

Group presentation

Presentation and discussion

14

Final Review

Wrap-up and complementary comments

Class Format

Unless otherwise announced, classes will be conducted face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

１.There will be individual and group presentations. Students are expected to work outside of class to prepare for these presentations. For group work, please keep in touch with your teammates and work collaboratively.
２.Students are required to submit reflective comments after each class.

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

Attendance and Reflective Comments of Each Class: 30%
Individual Presentation and Participation in Discussions: 20％
Group Project: 30%
Report of Group Project: 20%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Students are required to attend a minimum of 10 classes to earn credit for this course. Both participation in class and submission of reflective comments will be considered for attendance points. Active participation in class discussions and questions related to presentations will be positively evaluated. Assignments should be submitted by the specified deadlines. If any circumstances, such as illness, may delay submission, please contact the instructor in advance or as soon as possible.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

This lecture will involve group activities, including discussions, presentations, and group work. Students are encouraged to actively participate in these activities and to make the most of opportunities to use the language they are learning.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No textbook is required.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference books will be introduced in class.

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

【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/