PA 510: International Field Experience
~ Field Study in Seoul, Korea~
Fall 2014 (Sept 27, Oct 4, Oct 18~25, Nov 15)
Instructor: Masami Nishishiba, Ph.D.
Mentor: Brent Mahan
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, the
capital city of the Republic of Korea (ROK) as a case example. It focuses on the context,
motivation, design and implementation of Seoul’s strategy to become one of the top 10 globally
competitive cities. The course includes an intensive fieldwork sponsored by the Seoul
Metropolitan Government (SMG) from October 18 – 25, 2014. We will be joined in Seoul by the
delegations of faculty and students from other universities including Cornell University,
University of Delaware, and the University of Central Florida
Topics include historical background of public administration in Korea, framework for crosscultural comparison in public administration systems, the global and national context for
Seoul's reform efforts; the design, implementation, and evaluation of its governance reforms;
and specific policy subareas of urban governance including, transportation, welfare, public
finance, economic development and human resource management.
Part of this course overlaps with the sequence companion class PA510: Public Leadership and
Cultural Competence. (Oct 4th and Nov 15th)
Course Objectives
This course will focus on the following competencies within the EMPA and PA divisional
competencies:
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Understand 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)
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. (PA competency 6)
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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.(PA competency 10)
Specific student learning outcomes are as follows. After the successful completion of this
course, students will:
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have a better understanding on how SMG has responded to global, national, and
local discourses in the design and implementation of its self-reinvention and
governance reforms;
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 cross-cultural 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.
Kohls, L. R. (2001). Learning to think Korean: a guide to living and working in Korea.
Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
2.
Moua, M. (2010). Culturally intelligent leadership: Leading through intercultural
interactions. New York: Business Expert Press.
3.
Park, W. (2014). In Seoul, the Citizens are the mayor. Public Administration Review, 74
(4), 442-443.
4.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government home page
http://english.seoul.go.kr/
5.
U.S. State Department Background Note on South Korea:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2800.html
6.
7.
The Hofstede Centre: National culture dimensions http://geert-hofstede.com/nationalculture.html
Triandis, H. C. (2004). The many dimensions of culture. The Academy of Management
Executive, 18(1), 88-93
Optional readings and resources (Links and articles on D2L):
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South Korea Overview: http://www.korea.net/AboutKorea/Korea-at-a-Glance/Facts-about-Korea
Education System: http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21588204-south-koreaseducation-fever-needs-cooling-other-arms-race
Haechi: http://www.exploringkorea.com/haechi-symbol/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cisco_pics/3548805395/
Age friendly city: http://www.who.int/kobe_centre/ageing/age_friendly_cities/3_Lee_AFC-Seoul.pdf
http://www.who.int/kobe_centre/ageing/age_friendly_cities/IAGG/en/index.html
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Green make over in Seoul: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/15/seoul-s-greenmakeover-top.html
Zero-waste Seoul 2030 plan http://energy.korea.com/archives/52409
Creative economy: http://3daystartup.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/future-of-entrepreneurship-in-southkorea-discussion-of-a-creative-economy/
Korean Institute of Public Administration: www.kipa.re.kr
Korea Development Institute: www.kdi.re.kr
Seoul Development Institute (SDI): www.sdi.re.kr/eng/index.asp
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.
Information Sharing
In order to facilitate information sharing among PSU students and students from other universities, a
facebook page for the Seoul Field Trip is created. This is a closed group page only open to those who are
attending 2014 Seoul Field trip. Although not required, it is encouraged to actively participate in the
information sharing and networking with the 2014 Seoul Field Trip participants through facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/528265743970168/members/
Key information required for class is shared through emails and D2L.
Note on Trip Schedule
We will receive the final program schedule from SMG/University of Seoul sometime in October before the
trip. For your reference, program schedule from 2013 is attached as Appendix A. Typically, on Sunday, the
day after we arrive in Seoul, we will have a tour of Seoul, and will have an introduction to Korean culture. It
will include cultural presentations, performances and a visit to the museum. Monday to Thursday, in the
morning, students will attend a lecture by the officials from SMG on policies and operations of SMG. The
lecture will take place at the University of Seoul. All presentations will be interpreted simultaneously. In the
afternoon, students will have site visits relevant to the policies/operations discussed in the morning. All site
visits will be consecutively interpreted. On Friday, students will attend SIBAC (Seoul International Business
Advisory Council) meeting. Students may have an opportunity to meet with the mayor informally. On Friday
afternoon, there will be a group presentations by the students to the SMG officials and Univ. of Seoul
professors.
Tentatively, we are planning on having a PSU “Wine (and Dessert) Reflections” on Oct 20 (Mon), Oct
22(Wed), and Oct 24 (Fri) evenings (Meeting dates are subject to change depending on the final program
schedule. Attendance to this informal reflection sessions ae mandatory. It is an opportunity for your “peer
learning” for your cultural strategy development described in Moua (2010, p. 76).
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Course Schedule
The table below describes the general course content and schedule. The content is subject to change. Class
sessions colored in orange are sessions overlapping with the companion class, PA510 Public Leadership and
Cultural Competence.
Date
Sept 27
(Sat)
1-4 pm
Topics
 International Field Trip Orientation
(Seoul Group only) and logistics.
 Introduction to Korean culture and
government (Presentation by the SMG 1
year training program Participants:
Hoon Sang Lee, Kwang Hyun Chun,
Howon Lee, Ki Young Lee)
Oct 4 (Sat)  Understanding culture and cultural
difference
9am-4pm
Oct 17
Oct 18
 Thinking about “culture”
 Why “cultural competent (intelligent)
leadership” matters?
 Expectations for “international field
trip”?
Leave PDX
Arrive Seoul
Oct 19 –
25
Field Study(Detail schedule TBA See
Appendix A for last year’s schedule)
Readings
SMG homepage
US State Dept
Assignments
Kohl Chs 1-7
Moua Ch1~5
Hofstede Centre
Traindis
D2L posting:
My expectation
for the
International Field
Trip.
Meet with SMG
visiting scholar for
interview.
Kohl Chs 8-13 &
Appendices
SMG website
U.S. State Dept
website
Park (2014)
Daily Reflection
Log
 Oct 19 (Sun): Cultural experience (all
day)
 Oct 20 (Mon), Oct 22(Wed), and Oct 24
(Fri) evenings (May change depending
on the final program schedule): “Wine
(or Dessert) Reflections”
Oct 19Nov 15
Nov 15
(Sat)
Individual reflections

Moua Chs 6-8
Vietnam and Korea trip reflections:
Lessons learned
 Connecting field trip learnings to
“culturally competent leadership”
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Three D2L
postings
Daily Reflection
Log due
Final Paper due
Assignments
1. D2L Threaded discussion (P/NP, 15 points)
You will be posting your thoughts and ideas in response to the following 3 questions. A
minimum of 1 posting per question is required. You are also required to post a minimum of 1
response to your classmates’ postings for each question. The D2L discussion is graded as
Pass/No Pass. In other words, if you post your comments and responses in time, you will get full
points. If you do not post your comments and responses in time, you will not get any points for
this assignment. Due dates are for posting your comments. All responses to your classmates’
postings are due on Nov 15. No late postings are accepted.
D2L discussion question #1 (Due Oct 4, midnight):
“What do you expect to gain from your international field trip to Seoul, Korea?”
Include the following in your posting:
a) Things you found about Seoul and Korea that are intriguing to you, and you would like to
find out more while you are in Seoul.
b) Questions you have about Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Korean culture.
c) What you expect to learn from the trip to Seoul, and the strategies you will adopt to
accomplish what you want to learn from the trip. How you are going to monitor and
evaluate your learning.
Read Moua(2010) Chapter 4 before you respond to this question on D2L. This D2L posting
applies Moua’s suggestions on how to develop strategic thinking for culturally intelligent
leadership (pp.74-76).
D2L discussion question #2 (Due Nov 1, midnight):
“What are your memorable cultural moments you had during your trip in Seoul, Korea?”
Include the following in your posting:
a) Description of you “memorable cultural moments.”
b) Analyze your “memorable cultural moments.” What made the moment memorable?
What cultural factors were at play in this memorable moments?
c) What did you learn about your own cultural orientation reflecting on this memorable
cultural moment?
Moua (2010) states, “essential in cultural strategic thinking is your ability to conjure up and be
positive about your learning experiences”(p. 77). As you analyze your reaction to the
memorable cultural moments, try stay positive. Table 4.2 “Judger Versus Learner Questions” in
Moua (2010, p. 79) may also be useful in analyzing your memorable cultural moments.
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D2L discussion question #3 (Due Nov 8, midnight):
“Reflect on one or more of the policies and operations you were introduced during your
Seoul Field trip. How are they different or similar from the policies and operations in the
U.S.?”
Include the following in your posting:
a) Description of the selected policies or operations of SMG that you were intrigued.
b) Description of the similarities and differences in the policies and operations of SMG and
the comparable policies and operations in the U.S.
c) Description of cultural, historical and/or philosophical factors that you think are affecting
the similarities and differences in the policies and operations between Seoul and the
U.S. Consider applying frameworks for cultural comparison included in your readings:
e.g. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, E.T. Hall’s high/low context, GLOBE study
dimensions and others.
2. Daily Reflection Log (Due Nov 15 midnight, P/NP, 15 points)
As Moua (2010) suggests in Chapter 4, page 77, one of the useful tools in developing cultural
strategic thinking is to write down your thoughts related to your cultural experiences. Writing
down your cultural experiences also help you become a better “observer” (Moua, 2010, p. 78),
and allow you to practice your “active listening” skills (Moua, 2010, p. 79).
During the trip, keep a log (or a diary) of your activities and your thoughts. Please type them up
(single space) and submit it by November 15th, midnight by email (both to D2L mail and
nishism@pdx.edu) and to the D2L Dropbox. The log should cover the activities and your
reflections during your trip (Oct 18 ~ Oct 25).
3. Final Paper: Comparative Analysis of SMG and US policies and operations through a
cultural lens (Due Nov 15 midnight, Graded 70 points)
Select one or more policy/operation arena(s) covered during the Seoul Field trip. Compare SMG
policies/operations with that of selected US government entity of your choice. Describe key
elements of the policies/operations, as well as similarities and difference between SMG and the
selected US government entity of your choice. Analyze what political, historical and/or
philosophical factors affect the similarities and differences in the policies/operations between
SMG and the US government entity of your choice. Consider applying frameworks for cultural
comparison included in your readings: e.g. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, E.T. Hall’s high/low
context, GLOBE study dimensions and others.
Summarize your analysis using the “Comparative Analysis Template” in Appendix B and attach
to your paper.
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The paper should include the following:
 Introduction: overview of the paper.
 Clear description of the polices/operations you learned in Seoul.
 Description of the corresponding polices/operations of the US government entity of
your choice.
 Description of the similarities and differences in the policies/operations between SMG
and the US government entity of your choice.
 Description of the cultural, historical and/or philosophical framework you applied in the
analysis of the comparison of the policies/operations between SMG and the US
government entity of your choice.
 Conclusion: what you learned from the comparison of the policies/operations between
SMG and the US government entity of your choice.
The paper should be no longer than 20 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, formatted in
either APA or Chicago style. Submit your paper to both D2L email and nishism@pdx.edu.
Please note that this paper will be shared with the instructors at the University of Seoul and the
Seoul Metropolitan Government. They may enter your paper into a policy paper contest among
all students who attend the 2014 Seoul Field Trip.
Grading Criteria
Assignments
Points
Threaded discussion postings (P/NP)
- Comment on questions (3 points x minimum 3 entries = 9 points)
- Response to your classmates’ postings (2 point x minimum 3
entries=6 points)
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Daily Reflection Log (P/NP)
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Final Paper
70
100
TOTAL
A = 93-100 points, A- = 90-92.9 points, B+ = 87-90.9 points, B = 83-86.9 points
B-=80-82.9 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
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Appendix A: Time Schedule for the 12th Seoul Field Trip, 2013
20 Oct
Sun
Time
21 Oct
Mon
22 Oct
Tue
<Briefing 2>
Municipal Finance of
09:00~10:20
SMG
Break Time(20mins) (Nam, Hwang Woo)
Orientation
(09:00~10:00)
Seoul Tour
<Briefing 0>
National Museum of
Korea
(09:00~13:00)
↓
10:30~11:50
Lunch
(13:00~14:30)
↓
12:00~13:00
Introducing Korea
and Seoul
(Steven Mckinney)
Lunch
<Briefing 3>
City Planning of Seoul
(Lee, Jung Joong)
Lunch
23 Oct
Wed
24 Oct
Thu
<Briefing 4>
Welfare Policy
(Shim, Sang oh)
<Briefing 6>
Seoul’s Green Policy
(Koo, A Mi)
<Briefing 5>
Seoul
e-Government
(Kim, Jong Keun)
<Briefing 7>
Seoul's New HR
Management System
(Yoon, Young Chul)
Lunch
MUAP Seminar
(11:50~12:50)
25 Oct
Fri
<Special Visit>
SIBAC
(08:30~12:00)
* Seoul International Business
Advisory Council
Lunch
Lunch
<Briefing 1>
Cultural Policy
Road-map
(Chung, Hun Jai)
<Field Visit 2 >
Seoul TOPIS
(13:30~14:50)
<Field Visit 4>
Han River
(13:50~15:00)
<Field Visit 6>
Mapo Recycling
Facility
(14:30~15:30)
Group Presentation
(13:30~15:30)
15:30~17:00
<Field Visit 1>
120 Dasan
Call Center
<Field Visit 3>
Changdok Palace
(UNESCO heritage)
(15:30~17:00)
<Field Visit 5>
Electric Bus on
Mt. Namsan
(16:00~17:00)
<Field Visit 7>
World Cup Park
(16:00~17:00)
Survey & Closing
Ceremony
(15:30~17:00)
18:00~20:00
Welcoming Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Bukchon Hanok
Village (14:00~16:30)
13:30~15:00
↓
Han Style, the
Korean traditional
cultural experience
(16:30~19:30)
Cultural Performance
-Optional-
* This schedule would be changed as its circumstance.
(20:00~21:50)
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Appendix B: “Comparative Analysis Template”
Key aspects of SMG
policy/operation
Key aspect of US
policy/operation
Similarities/Difference
Underlying
cultural/historical/philosophical
factors
Policy/operation
arena #1 (e.g.
Transportation)
Policy/operation
arena #2
Policy/operation
arena #3
Policy/operation
arena #4
Note:
Choose the “policy/operation arena” from the lectures during the Seoul Field Trip. (E.g. Transportation, public safety, citizen
engagement, social welfare, human resource management etc. )
You can decide to choose only one policy/operation arena, or multiple numbers of policy/operation arenas for your analysis.
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