Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16935:IR18‐HE101 Introductory Seminar I (D) 2024 Fall Thu4 College　Of　International　Relations CHOI JUNG HOON 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS201

Language

英語

Course Outline and Method

This course aims to equip students with the basic academic skills and knowledge necessary for a successful start at the university. By working through the assigned packet of materials, students will learn the skills essential to excell in their subsequent classes. Students will learn how to take notes, use the APA referencing style, understand plagiarism and academic dishonesty, how to avoid them, and efficiently approach their reading. Additionally, students will undergo a brief individual interview with the instructor to assess their progress and discuss future plans.

Furthermore, this course will lay the foundation for students to pursue their further studies on world politics by familializing themselves with a range of major issues faced by practitioners in international affairs. These issues encompass international finance and trade, environment, and transnational security.

Student Attainment Objectives

(1) Adapting to University life
a. Develop an understanding of the university environment in Japan
b. Understand the structure of the JD/GS Major and the history of Ritsumeikan University

(2) Understanding Major Emerging Issues in World Politics
a. Global Environmental Politics: Climate Change
b. International Political Economy: Financial Crises
c. Global Trade
d. Transnational Threats: Counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and cybersecurity

(3) Critical thinking skills
a. Explore a specific topic in depth and improve your research through critical thinking
b. Increase the ability to express yourself by clarifying the difference between your opinions and those of others.

(4) Reading, note taking and research skills
a. Learn how to effectively take notes on lectures, presentations, and research materials
b. Accurately read, organize. and analyze content from course readings and materials
c. Begin to develop independent research questions

(5) Resume and Report writing
a. Understand plagiarism and academic dishonesty and how to avoid them
b. Understand the AEGS stylesheet
c. Produce short research reports

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Class briefing - Class Structure, University Life in Japan

Self intros, Ritsumeikan, Syllabus

2

Library Tour

Research, library usage

3

Basic DB Guidance

4

"Basic Skills 1 - APA

Citations, reference list building, academic honesty

5

Basic Skills 2– Research and Note Taking

Note taking systems, Cornell

6

Academic Advice, Writing Tutorials, Portfolio Preparation

Individual interviews, materials collection, writing tutorials

7

Academic Advice, Writing Tutorials, Portfolio Preparation

Individual interviews, materials collection, writing tutorials

8

Academic Advice, Writing Tutorials, Portfolio Preparation

Individual interviews, materials collection, writing tutorials

9

Academic Advice, Writing Tutorials, Portfolio Preparation

Individual interviews, materials collection, writing tutorials

10

Academic Advice, Writing Tutorials, Portfolio Preparation

Individual interviews, materials collection, writing tutorials

11

An Introduction to Global IR

Amitav Acharya, Eurocentrism, history, and diversity

12

Major Emerging Issues in IR: International Political Economy: Financial Crises

Financial crises and global politics, domestic political polarisation

13

Major Emerging Issues in IR: Global Trade

Free trade, inequality, development

14

Major Emerging Issues in IR: Transnational Threats: Counter-terrorism, Non-Proliferation and Cybersecurity

Cyberwars, terrorism, nuclear weapons

15

Review

Portfolio collection and review

Class Format

Sessions will be delivered in a face-to-face class format.

Recommendations for Private Study

Please follow the guidelines provided during the class briefing and in each week’s session. It is your responsibility to review the assigned work for each week if you are absent.

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

30% Class attendance and conduct

50% Submission of one short assignment which has been reviewed by the writing tutors (750 words excluding references) (submit the final version on manaba+r)

20% Submission of:
- the original versions of the short assignment (reviewed by the writing tutors) showing corrections as a hardcopy
- the career chart
- one presentation (from another class) (hardcopy)
- one set of in class notes (from this or another class) (hardcopy)

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 (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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html