Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15657:IR18‐GE208 Advanced Topics in Area Studies (R) § 15658:RUIR-2632 Advanced Topics in Area Studies(R) 2023 Fall Thu2 College　Of　International　Relations MORISHITA AKIKO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

YOYOKAN　YY305

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

The course explores how Area Studies has examined social movements in contemporary society, particularly anti-government protests in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. It focuses on Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, Tunisia, and Syria, exploring local stakeholders' perspectives and local historical / political / socio-cultural context of the anti-government protests. The course includes lectures, discussions, and reading assignments.

* Area Studies aims to comprehensively understand particular geographical areas by analysing local perspectives and distinct features of society, culture, politics, economy, and/or nature of the area. The term “area” in Area Studies refers to a particular geographical or cultural area of the world. It ranges from sub-national locales (e.g. Kyoto) to countries (e.g. Japan) and regions (e.g. East Asia). It is an interdisciplinary field of research, which crosses several major academic disciplines in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (e.g., ecology).

Student Attainment Objectives

1. The students will be able to explain the causes and features of anti-government protests in contemporary Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
2. The students will be able to identify the local context and local perspectives of anti-government protests in each country/region.
3. The students will be able to discuss issues related to anti-government protests from an Area Studies perspective.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Introduction to Area Studies

Course Schedule

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

Course introduction

Class objectives, how classes will proceed, how grades are assigned
What is Area Studies?

2-3

Major theories of social movements in social sciences

The aim of the 3rd and 4th lectures is to understand general theories of social movements in social sciences, particularly sociology. It will enable us to compare how an Area Studies’ perspective is different from the sociological approaches.

4-5

Social movements in Hong Kong from an Area Studies perspective

(1) Overview: Pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong
(2) Read and discuss an academic article

6-7

Social movements in Thailand from an Area Studies perspective

(1) Overview: "Red Shirts" and "Yellow Shirts" movement in Thailand
(2) Read and discuss an academic article on current anti-government protests in Thailand

8-9

Social movements in Myanmar from an Area Studies perspective

(1) Overview: The 2007 "Saffron Revolution" in Myanmar
(2) Read and discuss an academic article in current anti-government protests in Myanmar

10-11

Social movements in Tunisia from an Area Studies perspective

(1) Overview: The Tunisian revolution
(2) Read and discuss an academic article on the Tunisian revolution

12-13

Social movements in Syria from an Area Studies perspective

(1) Overview: The Syrian uprising
(2) Read and discuss an academic article on the Syrian uprising

14

Discussion: Area Studies approach to research on anti-government protests

Students will discuss the Area Studies approach to research on anti-government protests, based on the previous lectures, group discussions, and reading materials.

15

Course summary

Themes we learned, Articles we read, and Topics we discussed

Class Format

BCP停止の場合は、BCPレベル0～2の記載どおりに授業が行われます。
During the suspension period of BCP, classes will be as described in BCP levels 0-2.

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

College of IR Student Page：https://ct.ritsumei.ac.jp/ct/course_1728150
Study Support Site：https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/eng/

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2023 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

A quiz will be given at the end of lecture (the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th lectures) through Manaba+R ("Tests") to check the students’ understanding of the lecture content.

Students will be given a reading material and questions for discussion every two weeks (the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 13th lectures). Students are required to read the material and give their answer to the discussion questions to Manaba+R ("Surveys") by the given due date.

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

(1) Class participation 40%
- Be on time. If you are considered late by the instructor, you will be marked absent.
- Five (5) unjustified absences will result in failure of the course.
- No non-work chat
- Active participation in group discussions is required.

(2) Quiz 20%
- For the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th lectures, a quiz will be given at the end of the class through Manaba+R to check the students’ understanding of the lecture content.
- Students are required to provide correct answers to the quiz by the given due date for good scores.

(3) Reading Assignments 35%
- After the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 13th lectures, a reading material (i.e. an academic article) and discussion questions based on the article will be given.
- Students are required to read the article and give their own answers to the questions through manaba+R by the given due date.
- Students who fail to submit the assignments 4 times or more will receive F grade.
- Students who commit plagiarism (*) will receive F grade.

(*) Plagiarism in this course includes: (a) Direct quotation without a citation and quotation marks [“ ”]; (b) Indirect quotation without a citation using a source other than the assigned article; (c) Copying of another student's answers; and (d) Using of ChatGPT and other similar AI tools.

(4) Participation in Discussion 5%
- In the 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th and 14th classes, students will have group discussions, based on the reading assignment and their submitted answers.
- Students are required to actively participate in group discussions.
- Students who do not share any opinion during the discussion will be regarded as absent.

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)

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/