PA 510: International Field Experience
~ Field Study in Seoul, Korea~
Fall 2012 (Oct 21~27)
Instructor: Masami Nishishiba, Ph.D.
Office Hours: By appointment only
Office Location: URBN 670Q
Office Phone: 725-5151
Email: nishism@pdx.edu
Course Description
"As long as we only know ourselves, we know nothing" (Woodrow Wilson)
In the world of increased interdependence and globalization, good governance is
increasingly a concern of the global community of states and of international
organizations. The purpose of this course is to examine public administration with a
comparative perspective, using Seoul Korea as a case example. Building on Mark O.
Hatfield School of Government’s relationship with Seoul Metropolitan Government, this
course includes field study at Seoul, Korea which takes place from October 21to 27,
2012. Topics include understanding historical background of public administration in
Korea, framework for comparison, cultural context in examining public administration
systems, government systems and public policy of Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students will:
 have a better understanding of difference in public administration history and
system between U.S. and Korea;
 be able to apply concepts and theories to assess international/cross-cultural
differences in public administration ; and
 be able to incorporate new insights in developing effective solutions for
organizational and administrative issues in their respective workplace.
Assigned Readings
Required Readings (All required articles are posted on D2L):
1.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government home page
http://english.seoul.go.kr/
2.
Kim, P. S. (2012). A historical overview of Korean public administration:
Discipline, education, association, international cooperation and beyond
indigenization. Int. Rev. Adm. Sci. International Review of Administrative
Sciences, 78(2), 217-238.
3.
Kohls, L. R. (2001). Learning to think Korean : a guide to living and working in
Korea. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
4.
Borrego, E. A., & Johnson, R. G. (2012). Cultural competence for public
managers : managing diversity in today's world. Boca Raton, FL: CRC
Press.[Chaptera 1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3 & 4]
Optional readings:



Kim, K. S., Cheon, S.-h., & Lim, S.-j. (2011). Performance assessment of bus
transport reform in Seoul. Transportation, 38(5), 719-735.
Kim, S.-W., & Mueller, C. (2011). Occupational and Organizational Commitment
in Different Occupational Contexts: The Case of South Korea. Work and
Occupations, 38(1), 3-36.
Park, C.-M. (2009). The Quality of Life in South Korea. Social Indicators
Research, 92(2), 263-294.
Each student is expected to do some information gathering on Seoul, Korean and Seoul
Metropolitan Government.
Course Schedule
Below is the general course schedule. The content is subject to change.
Date
Aug.18
(Sat)
12-1
Topics
 International Field Trip/PA510
Public Leadership and Cultural
Competence Orientation

 Seoul Trip Orientation
 Course outline
 Introduction to Korean culture and
government (WonKang Lee,
Seonhye Choi, Seonmi Kwon
Seoul Metropolitan Government
(PSU MPA student).
[Dinner at a Korean Restaurant?
TBD]
On-line Chat
(Optional)
Readings
Oct 15
(Mon)
8-9 p.m.
Oct 18
(Thurs)
On-line Chat
(Optional)

Oct 21 – 26
Field Study(Detail schedule TBA)
Sept 7
5pm7:30pm.
Sept 17
(Mon)
8-9 pm
Nov 10
(Sat)
Assignments
 SMG Website
 Kim
 Borrego & Johnson
Kohl
Note: During the field study we will
find a time to meet for discussion.
Joint session with PA 510
“What I know
about Seoul,
Korea & SMG” and
“my expectations”
paper due (Oct 18,
Midnight)
Daily Reflection
Log
Daily Reflectin Log
and Final Paper
due
Course Delivery
Prior to the trip, meet face-to-face in class on August 18th for a brief orientation, and
September 7th. August 18th session is for the whole cohort, briefing the purpose of the
International Field Trip course, and how it connects to the PA 510: Public Leadership
and Cultural Competence course. September 7th session is only for those who are going
to Seoul.
I have scheduled 2 on-line chat sessions on Monday September 17, 8-9 pm and
Monday October 15, 8-9 pm. We will use the “Illuminate” function on the D2L for these
two chat sessions. Participation in the on-line chat sessions are not required but these
are opportunities for the class to discuss the reading materials and prepare for the visit
to Seoul.
There will also be threaded-discussions on D2L. Participations in the threadeddiscussions are required.
Assignments
1. D2L Threaded discussion
There are following topics prepared for the D2L discussion.
Pre-departure D2L discussion topics (Due Oct 19):
a) Things I found about Seoul and Korea and useful information (minimum of 1
posting required)
b) Questions and thoughts on readings. (minimum of 3 postings required/minimum
of 3 comments on other people’s postings required)
d) Questions on the trip. (optional)
Post-trip D2L discussion topics (Due Nov 10):
a) What’s clear and what’s not clear about SMG, Seoul and Korea (minimum of 1
posting required).
b) What I found most intriguing about SMG, Seoul and Korea, and why (minimum of
1 posting required).
c) Memorable moments during the trip (minimum of 1 posting required).
2. “What I know about Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea” and
“my expectations on the field study trip” paper (Due Wed Oct 20, midnight)
Summarize what you found out about Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Government and
Korea, based on your individual information gathering effort, and the assigned readings.
Summarize your expectations and what you intent to gain through the Seoul field study
trip.
The paper should be no longer than 6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, formatted in
either APA or Chicago style. Submit your paper electronically using the e-mail function
of D2L.
3. Daily Reflection Log
During the trip please keep a log (or a diary) of your activities and your thoughts. Please
type them up (single space) and attach it as an appendix to your final paper. The log
should cover the activities between October 23 and 30th.
4. Final Paper: Lessons learned (due December 1)
Summarize what you learned through the Seoul Field Study. Provide a comparison
between what you learned about Seoul, SMG and Korea vs. U.S.
The paper should include the following:
 Clear description of the policy/initiative you learned in Seoul.
 Description of the corresponding policy/initiative in the U.S.
 Analyze the similarities and differences between the the policy/initiative between
Seoul/Korea and the U.S.
 Summary of the key lessons learned
The paper should be no longer than 12 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, formatted
in either APA or Chicago style. Submit your paper electronically using the e-mail
function of D2L.
Grading Criteria
Assignments
Points
Threaded discussion postings (P/NP)
20
“What I know about Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Government
and Korea” and “my expectations on the field study trip”
paper
Daily Reflection Log (P/NP)
25
Final Paper
TOTAL
10
45
100
A = 93-100 points, A- = 90-92.9 points, B+ = 87-90.9 points, B = 83-86.9 points
B-=80-32.9 points, C+ = 77-79.9 points, C = 73-76.9 points, C- =70-72.9 points
D+=67-69.9 points, D=63-66.9 points, D-=60-62.9 points, F = below 60 points