Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16216:IR18‐CB103 Academic Skills III (Advanced+) (RB) § 16217:RUIR-1103 Academic Skills III (Advanced+)(RB) 2024 Fall Wed4,Fri2 College　Of　International　Relations TENNANT JOHN MORRELL 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS203/KOSHINKAN　KS203

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The aim of AS III is to solidify students' writing, research and academic interaction skills. Students will conduct in depth research on a topic of their choice within International Relations, integrating a wide range of academic sources, and present their findings in the form of a substantial academic paper accompanied by a conference-ready oral presentation. Class activities may include progress reports on individual research, 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. Formative evaluation is performed through class participation, including small quizzes and assignments as well as one or more essays, papers, and presentations, based on a rubric that targets each skill.

Student Attainment Objectives

1) Students will be able to identify, discuss and evaluate a range of current issues in International Relations from a variety of perspectives, making reference to appropriate theories, historical developments or contemporary contexts, and juxtaposing viewpoints arising from different social, political or cultural backgrounds.

2) Students will be able to plan, conduct, and report on research in their chosen areas in line with international standards of academic scholarship, including sourcing, citing and referencing, facilitating their move into English content classes and study abroad programs.

3) Students will be able to present their ideas in writing and speaking at an advanced level of proficiency, with a clear audience focus, a strong line of argumentation, and appropriate academic style both in prepared and spontaneous production and interaction.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Introduction to Course / Using manaba

 • Introduction and expectations
 • Using manaba and textbook

 • About International Relations
 • Introducing dialogue journals for studying/writing preparation and reflections

 • Paragraphs review (Text Chapter 1)
   - Paragraph as basic building block; parts of paragraph; topic sentences

3 ～ 4

Basics of research and writing: paragraphs.
Writing is process
Short essay explanation

 • The writing process (Ch 1 con't)
 • Writing with Unity and Coherence (Ch 2)
    - Staying on topic
    - Linking and ordering ideas

International stakeholders
   - IGOs, INGOs, MNCs
   - Short essay assignment explanation.
         ▪ Descriptive essay

5 ～ 6

Writing well
 - Unity and coherence
 - Using sources for support

Journal 1 submission
    - Prewriting for short essay

 • Using sources (Ch 3)
    - Plagiarism vs. citations
    - Reporting speech and quotations
    - APA style for citations and reference list
    - Showing understanding through summarizing and paraphrasing

7 ～ 8

Paragraphs to essays

 • Paragraphs to essay (Chapter 4)
    - Structure of an essay
    - Patterns of organization
         ▪ Thesis statement (signalling organization)
         ▪ Logical division of ideas; cause or effect; comparison ...
 • Paper mechanics (APA style)
   - Paper elements and formatting

9 ～ 10

Essays (more in depth)

Short essay submission

 • Essay organization
   - Process essays (Ch 5)
   - Cause/effect essays (Ch 6)

11 ～ 12

Presentations; essays (con't)
Short presentation explanation

Journal 2 submission
  - short presentation prewriting

 • Global issue: climate change
   - Causes, effects
   - Solutions: prevention or mitigation
   - Short presentation explanation

 • Essay organization
   - Comparison and contrast essays (Ch 7)
   - Points of comparison; point-by-point organization

13 ～ 14

Argumentative essays
Research at university

 • Argumentative essay organization (Ch 8)
    - Thesis statement
    - Summary and rebuttals of opposing arguments

 • Research: basic theory and practice
   - What can be done with research
   - Research designs

 • Elements and format of a spoken presentation
   - Parallels to essays

15 ～ 16

Research theory

Short presentation preparation

 • Research theory -- fundamental philosophies
   - Idealism vs materialism
   - Rationalism vs empiricism
   - Deductive vs inductive reasoning
   - Scientific method
 

17 ～ 18

Short presentations Q&A
Final research paper explanation

Short presentation submission
 - virtual poster presentation + in-class Q&A

Journal 3 submission
    - Prewriting for research project or final essay
    - Global issues of interest

 • Research design
   - The research process
   - Finding and defining a research problem
   - Explanation and assignment of final research

19 ～ 20

Research reports

 • Longer Reports - IMRAD
   - Science and social science type papers
   - Importance of organization; formatting
   - Division of ideas
   - Using statistics

 • Decide on research theme
   - Literature review
   - Research question
   - Research design

21 ～ 22

Research project

 • Research project
   - Literature review con't
   - Research design con't
   - Questionnaire creation

 • Collecting data
   - Primary data
   - Secondary data

23 ～ 24

Research project con't

Journal 4 submission
   - Research project status

 • Research project
   - Data collection
   - Data collation and analysis

 • Research ethics
   - Plagiarism review
   - Research with participants

25 ～ 26

Research project con't

Presentation preparation and practice

Outline of final paper

 • Data analysis
   - Quantitative and qualitative

27 ～ 28

Presentations (in class)

Presentations
   - Q&A sessions

29 ～ 30

Final research report

Final research report/essay submission

Any remaining presentations

 • Review of term

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

Develop the habit of reading journal articles, as well as newspaper and magazine articles with an awareness of argumentation. What theoretical influences lie behind claims and assertions? Does the evidence exist to back up these claims? What gaps can be detected (either in logic or in the literature itself). If you ask these questions with critical awareness, you can begin to develop a coherent view of global society and the relations between states.

Make use of the library and the Writing Tutoral Centre as much as possible.

Read lots in general. Good writers are always well-read people.

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

Manaba assignments: 20%
    • Approximately 20 assignments.
    • 12 assignments must be completed.

Dialogue journals: 20%
    • A dialogue must be submitted 4 times during the term.
    • The dialogue journal will be used to discuss research and writing.

Classroom participation: 10%

Short essay: 10%

Short presentation 15%

Final essay or research report: 25%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

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) Summarize any reading in five sentences for future reference.
(5) Make vocabulary notes and terminology notes (Organizing Skills).
(6) 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)
(7) 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
Longman Academic Writing Series 4: Essays, Fifth Edition Alice Oshima, Ann Hogue, Lara Ravitch Pearson 9780136838630

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

To be used mostly for self-study outside of class and as a writing guide/grammar reference.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Concise Guide to APA Style American Psychological Association American Psychological Association 9781433832734
Research Methods: The Basics Walliman, Nicholas Routledge 9781138693999

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

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