GLP Core Seminar
Spring 2017
Monday & Thursday 15:15-17:00pm
Room: 206
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Naoko Matsumura
216 Isono Building
Email: n.matsumura@r.hit-u.ac.jp
Office Hours: by appointment only
Web: http://nmatsumura.com/

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:This is a core course for the Global Leaders Program at the Faculty of Law. This seminar aims
to develop important English skills: reading, writing, and speaking through an analysis ofcontemporary events and policy debates in world politics. It will also provide students with basic skillsof discussion, debate, and presentation in English. Every week we will discuss two to three readingsthat present different points of view or discuss different aspects of a common problem. Students arerequired to complete the assigned readings before class and to arrive prepared to discuss the issue.
In addition, each student must turn in a reaction memo in response to a question based on thereadings. Towards the end of the semester, students are required to make a group presentation on
the topic of their choice.
This will be a seminar‒style class. Classes will consist of interactive lectures, discussion,presentations by students, group work, as well as guest speakers where appropriate. Students areexpected to participate in class discussions by asking questions, answering questions, and offering
opinions.
Students are expected to read assigned readings carefully, do some research on the topic of thereadings, and submit reaction memos by due. Careful reading of the materials assigned for thisseminar, attention to major news stories relating to international politics, and concentrated thinking
about the ideas raised in class will be a sufficient basis from which to contribute profitably to classdiscussion.

COURSE GOALS:
Through this seminar, students should acquire:
1.
2.
3.

An ability to analyze and discuss contemporary political events and public policies.
An ability to clarify your own views regarding policy options.
An ability to convey complex concepts and information in a clear and concise manner in both
writing and oral presentation.

RELATION WITH OTHER COURSES
This seminar will help students develop language and analytical thinking skills needed to succeed at1other English related classes at Hitotsubashi University and/or when they study abroad. It should beparticularly helpful for students who are planning to go on long‒ or short‒term exchange programs
abroad.

REQUIRED READINGS:
No book is required to purchase for this course. Required and suggested readings are all available
on Manaba.
Readings listed for each week should be completed before the class meeting. This schedule may besubject to change. If any changes are necessary, you will be notified through Manaba with as muchadvance notice as possible.

EVALUATION:
Grades will be determined in the manner described below. The grading scale for this course is asfollows: 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, 59-0 F(1) Participation & Attendance 30%:This includes both attendance and the quality of yourparticipation in class discussion. Thus, regular attendance is expected and will not raise yourparticipation grade. If you do not attend, however, your participation grade will be reduced. If you areabsent more than twice without a pre‒approved excused absence, you will FAIL the course. Two latearrivals (10 minutes or more) will be counted as one absence.
You are expected to have completed the assigned readings before class and to be able tocontribute to the class discussion. The course will be heavily small group discussion based. You arealso expected to treat other students with civility and respect.
(2) Reaction Memo 30%: All students are required to complete the assigned reading before their
discussion section each week and to arrive prepared to discuss the issue. In addition, THREE times
during the semester, each student must turn in a reaction memo of no more than five pages (typedand double spaced, using a 11 size font with 2cm margins) in response to a question based on thereadings. The questions will be posted on Manaba ahead of time. Your memo should not merelysummarize the assigned readings. Rather, you need to critically evaluate the readings and make yourown arguments.
You are required to turn in your memos through Manaba. If an emergency arises, you will needto contact me before the deadlines. Extensions will be granted only in the case of medical excuse orverified emergency (NOTE: computer problems including lost files and clashed drives are notconsidered as emergency). Otherwise, late essays will be penalized a half letter grade per 24-hourperiod. More information about this assignment will be provided during the semester.
I will do my very best to return graded memos within one week after they have been turned in.
(3) In-Class Presentation 40%:
You are required to make an in-class presentation about a given
topic as a group. Each group will consist of 5 students and the presentation should last about 20-30
minutes. Your group needs to decide a presentation topic by April 24.
Presentations will be graded for their content, the quality of preparation, and the extent to which
the presentation engages in the class in a meaningful discussion. Each student in the presentationgroup must speak during the presentation. The group will receive a single grade that will apply to all2

group members. More information about this assignment will be provided during the semester.

ANTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Classroom Etiquette: Please recognize that our classroom includes people with various life
experiences, divergent perspectives, and different levels of English proficiency. Be respectful of yourfellow classmates when addressing and critiquing conflicting viewpoints. My goal is to aid in thedevelopment of your analytical/critical skills, and I expect everyone to maintain an open mind, andtake a creative approach to the material. Please speak to me if you are offended by something that issaid in class.
Use of Electronics: Students may use laptop computers or tablets to take notes. Computers,
however, may not be used for other purposes during class time. I reserve the right to ban all laptops,or those of specific students, from the classroom if their use becomes a problem during the semester.
Cell phones should be turned off during class and put away. Answering a cell phone or text-messaging
during class will result in a reduction of your participation grade for the day.
Instructor Contact: Please feel free to arrange to see me any time you think discussion on anindividual basis would be helpful (about the course readings, assignments, or studying politicalscience in general). It is important to me that this course enriches your educational experience. I am
happy to make an appointment to meet with you at another time.
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to modify the syllabus and assignments throughout the semester.
Modifications will be well communicated through email, Manaba, and in class.

MANABA:We will be using Manaba for this course. I will post all course materials, announcements, and gradeson this system. You will also post your analytical essays on Manaba. Please register yourself to theManaba site for this course before the second class. After registration, go to the Settings page, andmake sure that you will receive reminders for updates in the site. It is your responsibility to checkfor course updates on Manaba and course emails on a regular basis.

COURSE SCHEDULE & READINGS:
Lesson 1：Mon. April 10
Course Introduction (No readings)
Lesson 2：Thurs. April 13
Discussion on Immigration Policies in the World
Reading #1: Martin, Philip. 2012. “Immigration: Should Countries Liberalize Immigration Policies?
–No” pp. 417-428. In Peter M. Hass and John A, Hird (eds) Controversies in Globalization:
Contending Approaches to International Relations (2nd Edition). California: CQ Press.

3Lesson 3：Mon. April 17
Discussion on R2P and Humanitarian Intervention
Reading #1: Evans, Gareth, and Mohamed Sahnoun. 2002. “The Responsibility to Protect.”
Foreign Affairs 81(6):99-110.
Reading #2: Valentino, Benjamin A. 2011. “The True Costs of Humanitarian Intervention.” Foreign
Affairs 90 (6): 60-73.
Suggested reading: Smith, Sheila (2014, May 16) “Japan's New Conversation on Its Constitution.”
Forbes Asia.
Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilaasmith/2014/05/16/japans-new-conversationon-its-constitution/#5f30b29a48e7

Lesson 4：Thurs. April 20
Discussion on Gender Equality
Reading #1: Coleman, Isobel. 2004. “The Payoff from Women's Rights.” Foreign Affairs. 83(3):80-95.
Reading #2: Coleman, Isobel. 2012. Are Quotas for Women in Politics a Good Idea? The Atlantic.
Suggested reading: Dahlerup, Drude (2015). “Using Quota’s to Increase Women’s Political
Representation” (Chapter 4) pp.141-186. in International IDEA (ed.) Women in Parliament:
Beyond. Stockholm: International Institution for Democracy and Electoral Association.
Suggested reading: Naohisa, Murakami (2016, February 8) “Japan's Gender Imbalance: Ranked
101st Among 145 Nation on Equality Index.” Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Nippon.com.
Retrieved from https://spfusa.org/nippon-com/japans-gender-imbalance/

Lesson 5：Mon. April 24
Time for group work

Lesson 6：Thurs. April 27Discussion on Global Health
Reading #1: Check, Erika. 2006. “Quest for the Cure.” Foreign Policy 155: 28-36.
Reading #2: Garrett, Laurie. 2005. “The Lessons of HIV/AIDS.” Foreign Affairs 84 (4): 51-64.
Reading #3: Heywood, Mark. 2012. “HIV/AIDS: Should the Wealthy Nations Promote AntiHIV/AIDS Efforts in Poor Nations?” In Peter M. Hass and John A, Hird (eds) Controversies inGlobalization: Contending Approaches to International Relations (2nd Edition). California: CQ
Press.

Lesson 7：Mon. May 1
Discussion on Climate Change and Environmental Cooperation
Reading #1: Pope, Carl and Bjorn Lomborg. 2005. The State of Nature. Foreign Policy 149: 6773.
Reading #2: Levi, Michael A. 2009. Copenhagen’s Inconvenient Truth: How to Salvage the4Climate Conference. Foreign Affairs 88 (5): 92-104.
Suggested reading: Grunwald, Michael. 2009. Seven Myths About Alternative Energy. Foreign
Policy 174: 130-133.
Suggested reading: Ball, Jeffrey. 2012. Tough Love for Renewable Energy. Foreign Affairs 91 (3):122-133.

Lesson 8：Mon. May 8
Guest Speaker Talk (No readings)※Schedule may change.

Lesson 9：Thurs. May 11
Discussion on Nuclear Difference and Profanation
Reading #1: Schell, Jonathan. 2000. The Folly of Arms Control. Foreign Affairs 79 (5): 22-46.
Reading #2: Schulte, Gregory L. 2010. Stopping Proliferation Before it Starts. Foreign Affairs
89 (4): 85-95.
Suggested reading: Feinstein, Lee and Anne-Marie Slaughter. 2004. A Duty to Prevent. Foreign
Affairs 83 (1): 136-150.

Lesson 10：Mon. May 15
Discussion on Foreign Aid & Poverty
Reading #1: Ayittey, George. N. 2010. “Poverty: Can Foreign Aid Reduce Poverty?-No” pp. 8898. In Peter M. Hass and John A, Hird (eds) Controversies in Globalization: Contending
Approaches to International Relations (2nd Edition). California: CQ Press.
Suggested Reading: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015. pp. 4-9 (Overview)
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(July%201).pdf

Lesson 11：Thurs. May 18
Time for group work
No Class：Mon. May 22※Josuikai Application Essays Due

Lesson 12：Thurs May 25
Group presentation (and policy proposal) and Discussion
Lesson 13：Mon. May 29
Group presentation (and policy proposal) and Discussion
Lesson 14：Thurs. June 1
Individual Meeting and Class Wrap-Up5