Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12730:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CB103 Academic Skills III (Advanced) (RG) § 12731:RUIR-1103 Academic Skills III (Advanced)(RG) 2025 Spring Wed4,Fri2 College　Of　International　Relations O’MOCHAIN ROBERT 4

Campus

KIC/KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY208/RYOYUKAN　RY208

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

The aim of Academic Skills III is to solidify students' writing, research and academic interaction skills. Students will write a primary research paper by conducting in depth research on a topic of their choice within International Relations, integrating a wide range of academic sources, and presenting their findings in the form of a substantial academic paper accompanied by a conference-ready oral presentation. Class activities include 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.
Regarding content, the broad themes of this course are ‘Silence,’ ‘Solidarity,’ and ‘The Social Contract.’ The contract between rulers and ruled raises significant questions about the rights of groups versus the rights of individuals. These rights are synthesized when the circle of social solidarity is expanded. In the meantime, certain citizens who have a right to speak out about injustices, remain silent. These broad themes are explored through a case study of Japan from a gendered lens.
Japan’s entry into the international system produced a national trauma that reverberates even today in the phenomenon of International Status Anxiety (ISA). This course explains how ISA has affected the reception of calls to acknowledge historical crimes. The politicization of issues surrounding historical crimes of wartime sexual violence bears consequences for victims of sexual abuse in contemporary Japan, as well as shaping Japan’s image among its nearest neighbors.

Feedback is provided by the instructor for Manaba Forum contributions and for all written work. Students engage in groupwork, pairwork, and classroom discussion in response to material provided by the instructor

Student Attainment Objectives

By the end of this course, students will have refined and practised their academic skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, with a strong focus on academic writing, research, and academic interaction skills. Students will have prepared individual writing and oral presentations, and will have participated in group discussions and debates on topics of contemporary interest. Each student will have prepared an academic research paper on a significant global society issue.

Recommended Preparatory Course

None

Course Schedule

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

Introductory Matters

Feminist theories: Psycho-Social Feminism: Internationalist Feminism.

3-4

How researchers think about their projects
Gender Discrimination; Men’s Rights Movement; Masculinities studies

Conversing with your readers; Learning from readers’ comments
Harassment; Incivility and bullying
Arguments/ Topic, Question, Significance

5-6

How researchers think about their answers/ arguments
Identity and identity pressures
Gender Harassment: Quid pro quo: Unwanted sexual attention

How you can best think about your project; Planning your research schedule
Identifying Systemic Sexism in a country or region: Case Study Japan
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Arguments/ Claim, Reasons, Evidence

7-8

Research; Finding a model of cause and effect
Historical roots of sexism in a country or region
International Status Anxiety
First book review

Research questions and topics
Sexism and political leadership
Political discourse surrounding "Comfort Women" issues: A cross-state comparison
Counter-arguments: Acknowledgement and Response
Summaries/Quotations/Paraphrases: The Backlash Argumentative Essay

9-10

How to choose a research topic; Evaluate your questions; Proposing answers to research questions
Sexism and reactionary political groups; Identifying a “chilling effect”
Male hysterical subjectivity:
Second book review

Nationalism and gender issues in particular countries
Political discourse surrounding "Comfort Women" issues: A cross-state comparison;Zarakol
Academic Writing Module (AWM):Academic warrants: False views of research
Two kinds of research questions

11-12

Question your topic; Three kinds of research sources
Issues surrounding sex work and human trafficking

 How to find a topic and question in a source
Historical grievances surrounding “Comfort Women” and wartime labor cases
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Critical Thinking and Research Questions

13-14


Presentation Skills

Mid-Term Presentations

15-16


Role of demographic pressures and sexist discourse; Legislation to deal with GBV: Criminal vs Civil Law

Systematic search for sources
Trans-national campaigns for gender equality
Backlash against Gender Justice campaigns
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Primary and Secondary Sources

17-18

Relevance and reliability of sources
Global impact of the #MeToo campaign
Chilling effects on victims of sexual abuse: "The Big Lie" argumentative essay

Full and accurate citations


Academic Writing Module (AWM): Research Ethics

19-20

Participants in research; Ethical issues in research
Linking sexual violence and sexually objectifying media
Initiatives and campaigns to challenge sexual violence in areas of military conflict; male-directed sexual violence

Reading sources critically
Activism against sexual exploitation: IGO and NGO initiatives
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Critical Reading: Research Proposals

21-22

Taking notes systematically
Activism against sexual exploitation: Case study: Japan

Taking useful notes
Sexual Abuse and gender harassment in education: IGO and NGO initiatives
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Different types of essays and academic papers

23-24

Constructing your argument
Sexual Abuse and gender harassment in education: Case Study Japan

Drafting your paper; Revision strategies for research papers;
Masculinities studies and Men’s Rights Movement: Global perspectives
Academic Writing Module (AWM): Making a core argument: Counter-arguments

25-26

Presentation Skills

Final Presentations

27-28

Citing sources
Academic Style

Final Re-cap of key course themes
Our favourite works of political art

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

As much as possible, develop habits of intellectual curiosity. Take note of any issues that might form interesting research questions. Students are expected to come to class prepared (readings, short assignments) and spend about 180min on course-related studies outside of class per week Keen an active interest in global news events and analysis of political events. Make use of useful academic resources such as Google Scholar, but refrain from accessing Internet sources that lack credibility. Check out books and journals on the shelves of the campus library as a way to stimulate your imagination as a producer of knowledge, not just a passive consumer of data. Use the Writing Tutorial Centre to hone your skills in the production of academic style texts that reflect and deepen your own research interests. Use the Beyond Borders Plaza to form friendships that broaden your outlook and interests. Focus on your own academic excellence and improvement

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

Mid-term paper: 15%
Final research paper: 20%
1st Quiz: 10% (Based on 3 key texts)
2nd Quiz: 10% (Definitions of academic vocabulary)
Mid-term presentation: 15%
Final presentation: 20%
Attendance, Punctuality, and Participation in classroom discussion: 10%


Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

It is important to focus on formulating a research question that motivates you early in the course. The literature review and research paper that you present are essential ingredients for success in this course. You also need to demonstrate understanding of the arguments from academic texts, even if you articulate a contrasting perspective. However, if you do not back up your claims with evidence from credible authorities, you lessen your chances of obtaining satisfactory grades. Remember also that I (O'Mochain) need to understand what you are saying at all times during class times; if you are not speaking in English you are not participating and your grade will be negatively affected.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No textbook is required for this course. Materials will be provided in the classroom and will be uploaded onto Manaba+R

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Sexual Abuse and Education in Japan : In the (Inter)National Shadows Robert O'Mochain & Yuki Ueno Routledge 978-1-032-31023-7

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)

Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

If you have any questions or problems you can contact me at my institutional e-mail address
robert01@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp
【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/