Civic Leadership Minor

Sponsored by the:

Mark O. Hatfield School of Government

Public Administration Division

College of Urban and Public Affairs

In Collaboration with the:

Center for Academic Excellence

Portland State University

Faculty Advisor: Masami Nishishiba, 503-725-5151, nishism@pdx.edu

1. Program Overview

The Civic Leadership minor consists of 34 required credit hours drawn from more than 20 courses throughout the campus. The minor combines newly developed courses with other relevant courses offered by nine different departments located in three Colleges. The minor is intended to create a curricular focus for students who have a broad general interest in civic leadership and community service. The minor features several specific programmatic elements including:

a. Introductory, foundations course with rigorous civic leadership and community engagement components, which are tied to a final integrative seminar;

b. Long-term, focused community partnership development;

c. Final integrative/reflective seminar, which culminates in a professional portfolio presentation;

d. Intentionally connected community-based practicum requirements;

e. Recognition and integration of multi-disciplinary approaches to civic engagement and leadership development;

f. Balanced attention given to both theoretical understanding and practical civic skill-building;

g. Broad, non-hierarchical presentation of "leadership," including the recognition and integration of emerging political challenges to re-engage citizens in public life and democratic governance.

2. Objectives

This minor builds on the University's service learning mission that has been institutionalized in both the University Studies program and the broader efforts to build partnerships with local community organizations and political entities within the region. This minor will deepen and further integrate the university's commitment to sustained institutional engagement with the Portland Metropolitan community and beyond. The specific objectives include the following:

  • Provide students with a curricular opportunity to pursue a secondary interest in community and public service, while completing their major requirements.
  • To address the growing national concern about the decline in civic engagement and political participation on the part of the current generation of college graduates.
  • To expand the University's partnership with community organizations and political entities with in the larger Metropolitan region.

3. Course of Study

  • PA 311U Introduction to Civic Leadership = 4 cr.
  • Five elective courses, 4 credits each (see list of courses below) = 20 cr.
  • USP 407 Integrative seminar = 4 cr.
  • One pre-approved, 6 credit, community-based experience related to salient themes in civic leadership. This requirement may be fulfilled by a Capstone course (students may select from a limited, pre-approved menu of Capstones) or by an independent civic leadership project, developed in conjunction with a faculty sponsor, and approved by the minor advisor.

List of Courses

Required:

  • PA 311U Introduction to Civic Leadership
  • USP 407 Integrative Seminar

Electives:

  • CR 399/410 Intro to Non-Violence
  • CR 301U Intro to Conflict Resolution
  • CR 399U Intro to Peace Studies
  • ELP 457U Cultural Pluralism and Urban Education
  • ELP 410U  Spiritual Leadership
  • ELP 456U Urban Schools at Risk Status
  • ELP 418U Educational Leadership in Public School
  • MS 311 Leading Small Organizations
  • PA 411U Theoretical Foundations of Citizenship and Community Leadership
  • PA 410U Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals
  • PA 410U Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions
  • PA 412 Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions
  • PA 417 Ethical Leadership and Public Service
  • PHE 365 Health Promotion Programs for Children and Youth
  • PS 312 Legislative Process
  • PS 417 Interest Groups
  • PS 431 State and Local Politics
  • SCI 347 Science, Gender and Social Context
  • SCI 331U Atmospheric Interactions: Urban Air Pollutions
  • SOC 423 Stratification
  • SP 220 Public Speaking
  • SP 313 Communication in Groups
  • SP 415 Problems in Intercultural Communities
  • USP 410 Leadership for Sustainable Communities
  • USP 450 Concepts of Citizen Participation
  • ELP 450 Introduction to Leadership for Sustainability

4. Admission and Requirements

  • Admission shall be treated in the same way as all other PSU minors.
  • At least 1/2 of the required course credit for the Minor will be taken at PSU.
  • Not more than 1/3 of the courses may be taken with the pass/no pass grading option.
  • SP 215, senior standing or instructor permission is a prerequisite for SP 415. There are no additional enforced prerequisite requirements associated with course credit for the Minor. However, some elective courses for the Minor recommend prior coursework.
  • All approved omnibus courses listed above in Section B are approved as cluster courses. Courses will receive discrete numbers in accord with University requirements.
  • Each student will have a departmental Minor adviser.

Please contact Masami Nishishiba at 503-725-5151 or nishism@pdx.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns.