English Seminar

English Seminar

Major Courses

-

School of Economics and Management

All

KCCBG1MCA7

2.00Credits

講義・演習 (Lecture/Seminar)

Fall semester 2026

(Fall semester)

VILLASOR ALEXANDRA LABUCA

Institute for International Relations

English

N/a

By appointment

xxhqz276@hq.u-hyogo.ac.jp 

2◎

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N/a

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【Course Objectives】
The main purpose of this English Seminar is for students to critically examine global issues while mastering the communication skills needed to lead, facilitate, and summarize peer discussions. Through active discussion of diverse topics, students will develop practical, high-level English skills for collaborative academic dialogue.

【Learning Outcome】
Students will engage in speaking activities as the primary class component, focusing on asking and answering higher-order thinking questions, and discussing ideas in small groups. To support and reflect on their learning, students will also complete regular journal writing.

This course provides students with opportunities to practice English in a dynamic, real-world context to increase language fluency and confidence. All materials, teaching, speaking, and writing will be in English. Translating between Japanese and English is not part of this course.

Class 1:    Introduction: Course Orientation & Discussion Skills 1
Class 2:    Discussion and Facilitation Skills 2
Class 3:    Rethinking Media & Entertainment: The Art of Persuasion
Class 4:    Rethinking Media & Entertainment: Cancel Culture
Class 5:    How to Lead a Seminar?
Class 6:    Student-led Discussion DAY 1
Class 7:    Major Quiz 1 & Journal Writing
Class 8:    Rethinking People & Nature: As the World Burns
Class 9:    Rethinking People & Nature: Rise of the Machines
Class 10:  Student-led Discussion DAY 2
Class 11:  Major Quiz 2 & Journal Writing
Class 12:  Rethinking History & Politics: What is democracy?
Class 13:  Rethinking History & Politics: This Means War
Class 14:  Student-led Discussion DAY 3
Class 15:  Major Quiz 3 & Journal Writing

In-person

• In-person classes only
• Not subject to the cap on distance-education credits

Limited permission for use

Academic Integrity: If a submission or presentation is suspected of being an inappropriate "copy-paste" from an AI, the instructor may conduct a follow-up exam to verify the student's actual understanding.

Presentation Outlining: Students may use AI to brainstorm the logical structure or "outline" of their final individual presentation, provided the content remains their own.

Vocabulary and Expression Support: Students may use AI as a digital dictionary or thesaurus to find specific words or synonyms to express their own original ideas.

De Soete, F. (2023). Rethinking the world: Dare to know. Seibido. 

Other materials will be provided by the instructor.

Reading the assigned units in advance to prepare for in-class discussions.

This course focuses on oral interaction and peer-to-peer engagement. Students use English to discuss current topics and other related themes.

Active Class Participation (20%): Consistent participation, use of target language, and constructive peer engagement. 
Homework & Journal (20%): writing assignment where students reflect on their growth as discussion leaders and communicators. 
Quizzes (30%): Three scheduled major quizzes (10% each) throughout the semester covering reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Student-Led Discussions (30%): Rotating small-group leadership roles (10% each) evaluated on facilitation skills. 

Feedback will be provided during class.

Students who take this course should be motivated to actively participate in class in English, to do the required homework reading, and to make a presentation in English. The enrollment for this class will be limited to 25 students. So, be sure to attend the first class.

N/A

This course does not have a midterm or final exam. Instead, active engagement in weekly classes, performance on the 3 major quizzes, and leading small-group discussions during the 3 student-led discussion days are essential to pass this course.