Themes to content: Curriculum innovation at Ritsumeikan University

Appendix 1:

A description of 2nd and 3rd yr. courses taught by native English speakers

Second-year courses:

International Politics and Organisations (Civil Service & Community Programs)
Business Law (Law & Business Program)
  • Twice a week, one semester, four credits
  • Skill focus on reading and writing
  • Essay writing is a required element
  • Compulsory - all Institute students must take this course
  • Streamed by TOEFL score into four or five classes
Law through English
Politics through English
Economics through English
Presentations, Discussion and Debates
  • Once a week, one semester, two credits
  • Skill focus on speaking
  • Students choose one of these courses
  • Not streamed
Special Topic Electives -

These are lecture courses in English, originally designed for visiting foreign lecturers.
They are also open to International Relations students and exchange students. Recent titles include:
  • The Rise, Stagnation and Downfall of Socio-economic Development
  • The Historical Evolution and Dynamics of the Asia Pacific Political Economy
  • International Trade and Finance
  • Information Policy in the European Union
  • International Relations in East Asia: China and Japan
  • International Criminal Law & the Protection of Human Rights

Third-year courses:

In the third year, there is a greater focus on the application of the skills which students have learnt in their second year, with a higher emphasis placed on student input; in-depth study of particular topics and a study style closer to North American or British models. Students are expected to deal with a high volume of reading materials and to engage in informed analysis and discussion. Native speaker instructors teach the following courses:

Globalisation (Civil Service & Community Programs)
International Business Law (Law & Business Program)
  • Twice a week, one semester, four credits
  • Skill focus on reading and writing, research skills, academic papers
  • Compulsory, streamed
Presentations, Discussions and Debates II:
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Rhetoric and Reason Current Issues
  • Once a week, one semester, two credits
  • Skill focus on speaking
  • Streamed (current issues is the lowest level), but students who particularly wish to take a different subject can elect to move up or down one class level
"Special topics" Electives

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