EMPA 510 Special Topic: Public Leadership and Cultural Competency
Fall Term 2014 – October 4th, November 15th and November 22nd
Marcus Ingle, Ph.D.
Office: URBN 670 F
Phone: 503-725-8202
Email: mingle@pdx.edu
Masami Nishishiba, Ph.D.
Office: URBN 670Q
Phone: 725-5151
Email: nishism@pdx.edu
.
Cathy LaTourette, MPA
Office: URBN 570
Office Phone: 725-2075
Email: latourec@pdx.edu
Course Description
In this course, students will prepare for, reflect on and integrate their learnings from their
international field experiences in Vietnam or Korea by applying a theoretical framework
for cross-national and cross-cultural comparison. Students will also explore the
implications of their comparative perspectives for the continuing development of their
public leadership and cultural competencies.
Course Objectives
Specific EMPA cohort member learning objectives for this course include:
1. Develop a better understanding of the cross-national and cross-cultural
comparative framework.
2. Reflect on experiences in both Vietnam and Korea using the comparative
framework.
3. Consider implications of the cross-national and cross-cultural
comparisons for the further development of public leadership and cultural
competency.
This course also augments the following EMPA and PA divisional competencies:

Demonstrate what is required to lead within a variety of different structures
of authority, including the local government, nonprofit, state government,
and national and international contexts. (EMPA competency B)
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
Demonstrate creativity in using a variety of leadership approaches to
match different types of leadership challenges. (EMPA competency C)

Respond to and engage collaboratively with diverse local and global
cultures and communities to address challenges in the public interest. (PA
competency 3)

Create and manage systems and processes to assess and improve
organizational performance with cultural competence. (PA competency 6)

Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills as a professional
and through interpersonal interactions in groups and in society (PA
competency 9).

Think critically and self-reflectively about emerging issues concerning
public service management and policy as it relates to cultural
competence.(PA competency 10)
Assigned Readings
1. Moua, Mai. (2010). Culturally Intelligent Leadership: Leading through intercultural
Interactions. businessexpert press, New York. (Textbook provided by CPS)
2. “Introduction” in Derr, C.B., Roussillon, S. & Bournois, F. Eds. (2002). CrossCultural Approaches to Leadership Development. Quorum Books, Connecticut.
(Electronic version posted on D2L)
3. The Hofstede Centre: National culture dimensions http://geerthofstede.com/national-culture.html
4. Triandis, H. C. (2004). The many dimensions of culture. The Academy of
Management Executive, 18(1), 88-93. (Electronic version posted on D2L)
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Course Schedule
The tentative course schedule is provided below. The content is subject to change.
Date
Topics
Readings
Oct 4
(Sat)
9am-4pm
· Understanding culture and cultural
differences
· Thinking about “culture”
· Why “cultural competent (intelligent)
leadership” matters?
· Expectations for “international field trip”?
- Kohl Chs 1-7
(Seoul Group only)
- Moua Chs1-5
- Hofstede Centre
- Triandis
(Masami Lead; Marcus Assist)
Nov 9
(Sat)
9am-4pm
AM: Reflective discussion by Vietnam and
Korea groups
- Moua, Chs 6-7
PM: Presentations by each country group
including implications of lessons learned
from the international trip in becoming
“culturally competent public leaders and
managers.”
(Marcus and Cathy Co-Lead)
Nov 23
(Sat)
9am-4pm
AM: Public leadership and cultural
competence
- Moua, Ch 8
- Derr, Roussillon &
Bournois, Ch 1
Lunch Speaker: To be determined
PM: Leading for cultural competence in U.S.
public organizations
PM: Bridging to the EMPA “Public Human
Resource Development” course
(Marcus and Cathy Co-Lead)
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Assignments
1. D2L Threaded discussion: Cultural Moments
Throughout this course (including on the international trips), be observant and identify
situations where “cultural competence” of an individual or an organization plays a critical
role. (We call these types of situations “cultural moments”). Whenever you notice any
“cultural moments” post it on the D2L discussion threads. During the course, you are
required to post at least 3 cultural moments. Also, read your classmates postings and
post at least 1 additional comment. (There will be 3 points assigned per cultural
moment postings. A total of 12 points will be assigned for these D2L postings).
2. Final Paper: Cultural Moment Analysis Paper (Due December 7, 2014)
Review your “cultural moment” postings. Select one of the moments you or your
classmates posted and analyze it in more depth drawing on key theories, concepts and
practices from this course. Discuss the implications of the selected “cultural moment” to
public leadership and cultural competency. You might want to choose and compare
more than one cultural moment for your paper.
The paper should include the following:




Your definition and concept of culturally competent leadership. Support your
argument with references from this course and the literature. Describe the key
components of culturally competent leadership.
Description of one (or more) “cultural moment” that you will focus on
Analysis of the “cultural moment”. Apply key theories, concepts and practices from
the course including experiences during the international visit. Reference literature
to support your analysis.
Suggestions and recommendations on how individuals and/or organizations can
further develop their level of culturally competent leadership based on your
analysis of the “cultural moment” and other related considerations.
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The paper should be no longer than 12 pages1 (not including tables, charts and
references), double-spaced, 12-point font, formatted in either APA or Chicago style.
Submit your paper electronically using the e-mail function of D2L. Your papers should
be a word document. Use the following convention for your file name: “EMPA
510_PLCC_Last name”. Please upload your paper by December 7th midnight into the
D2L Dropbox folder.
The paper will be graded by the following criteria.
1. Writing
- Written in complete sentences with well-formed paragraphs, correct spelling and
punctuation.
- Free of stylistic or typographical errors.
- Well organized, smooth transition.
2. Content
- Logical internal structure
- Demonstrates understanding of the concepts and ideas addressed in the course.
- Thought-provoking.
- Appropriate inclusion of the literature.
3. Synthesis of the ideas.
- Demonstrates ability to apply course concepts to analyze intercultural encounters
and communication behaviors of a specific cultural group.
- Demonstrates ability to make the course concepts relevant to the context of public
and nonprofit organizations.
4. Formatting
- Paper followed APA/Chicago style formatting.
- Paper followed the email submission convention.
- Paper followed the file naming convention.
1
Note that this is not a minimum requirement. The paper can be shorter than 12 pages, as long as the
required contents are covered.
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Grading Criteria
Participation and Class Assignments
Attendance and engagement in class sessions (6 points for
each class session with active engagement)
D2L Discussion Thread Postings (3 points each for 3
postings and 3 points for one comment on another person’s
posting)
Final paper
Points
18
12
70
TOTAL
100
A = 90-100 points, B = 80-89.9 points, C = 70-79.9
Addendum from Portland State University:
PSU Regulatory Requirements to Reduce Sexual Assault.
All new and returning PSU students, including EMPA cohort members, are required by
the university to take a D2L training module on sexual violence and assaults on
campus. As PSU faculty members, we are required to inform students about this
requirement using the following language:
If you have not done so already, please complete the Safe Campus Module in D2L. The
module should take approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete and contains important
information and resources. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted,
you can find the appropriate resources on PSU’s Enrollment Management & Student
Affairs: Sexual Prevention & Response website at http://www.pdx.edu/sexual-assault/.
PSU's Student Code of Conduct makes it clear that violence and harassment based on
sex and gender are strictly prohibited and offenses are subject to the full realm of
sanctions, up to and including suspension and expulsion.
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