ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR GLOBAL STUDIES

概要

This course aims that students will be able to conduct their research independently in the third year and beyond. Students will learn academic skills through interactions with a lecturer and classmates to complete their papers by the end of this course. For one year and a half, they have studied fundamental theories and academic skills. Based on their learning, students further develop their skills by reading articles, deepening discussions, and exploring research styles in students’ respective fields. At this stage, they are expected to identify their areas of interest, and gradually, they clarify their research topics. Also, students will gather documents, create data, and think about how these sources they can incorporate in their research. They need to make sure what kind of sources, skills, methods, preparations, and training they must have, which will be discussed in this course for preparation for graduation theses.

目標

Students aim to achieve the following five goals. (1) A sense of asking questions Why is it happening? This question is the starting point of research. In the seminar, we will practice keeping our senses flexible so that our curiosity will increase through active discussions. At the same time, students are expected to develop their ability to identify academically meaningful questions (themes). (2) Logical and critical thinking Every academic discourse is composed of some logic (perspective, framework, etc.). The first step in the research is to be critical and construct your discussions by gathering reliable materials and resources rather than accepting what others say without a doubt. Students will practice this repeatedly in the exercises. (3) Learning and knowledge formation through collaborative work While individual work is essential for research, it is an important task to construct discourse and knowledge through dialogue with people and communities with different cultural backgrounds. People cannot easily reconcile different thinkings based on the "tacit knowledge" of cultures. Therefore, it is necessary to learn the manner of discussion. (4) Collecting reliable data Researchers use a variety of materials to substantiate a theme. Evidence in the broad sense used in an argument varies considerably from field to field. How does each field deal with materials and data? Students will collect them to the extent possible, verify their reliability, and use them in this seminar. 5) How to read literature and write papers Students aim to complete academic papers on their interests. To achieve it, students must first read articles and become familiar with their formats and structures. Students gradually learn how to write logically, structure papers, and add footnotes by writing short essays and having them corrected by the instructor. In the end, students will submit reports on their topics, using the material they have gathered, supporting it with footnotes, and coming to a clear conclusion.

授業外の学習

In our class, active participation and the exchange of opinions among students are expected. To prepare adequately, it is necessary to read the literature covered in each class beforehand, organize your arguments and questions, and clarify your thoughts. Additionally, students will be asked to give oral presentations on topics of their interest and submit reports based on them. It is important to steadily prepare for classroom discussions and paper writing outside of class time and seek guidance from the instructor as needed. Furthermore, it is encouraged to reflect on the discussions held during the exercises after class and confirm the knowledge and skills you have learned from them. - Preparation for each session's assignments (90 minutes) - Preparation for oral presentations on report themes and final report writing (60-90 minutes) - Consolidation of knowledge and skills through review after class (40 minutes)

所要時間: See above.