Portland State University
Minor in Civic Leadership
http://www.hatfieldschool.pdx.edu/courses/Civic.php

Unique:

PSU’s Minor in Civic Leadership is an example of an academic option that provides students who are already involved in service-learning based institutions specific programmatic elements that specialize in civic leadership. The minor is intended to create a curricular focus for students who have a broad general interest in civic leadership and community service.

Website Features:

Where the program falls institutionally in the Public Administration Division. Explains mission, courses, and outcomes. A more comprehensive website is in development, which will include a service event calendar, detailed course descriptions, message/discussion areas for students and faculty, and academic resources such as journal articles, best practices, etc.

Program Objectives:

1. To provide students with a curricular opportunity to pursue a secondary interest in community and public service, while completing their major requirements
2. To institutionalize the course development undertaken by the three year grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
3. 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.
4. To expand the University’s partnerships with community organizations and political entities within the larger Metropolitan region.

Structure/Governance:

Sponsored by the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Public Administration Division and the College of Urban and Public Affairs; in collaboration with the Center for Academic Excellence at Portland State University. The minor is offered through the Public Administration Division.

Relationship of Program to Institution’s Mission

The 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 NW region. The minor will deepen and further integrate the university’s commitment to sustained institutional engagement with the Portland Metropolitan community and beyond.

Foundational Pillars:

The minor in civic leadership is integrated with co-curricular courses; however, specific programmatic courses offered by the program are not offered to students who have not declared the minor. The program is intense where students work 10 hours per week in community based service optional arrangements. The program is multi-year, as the 9 total courses are covered within a four-year time frame. Seven (7) required credit hours are 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. These courses are often multi-disciplinary and offer electives from various departments (examples include Public Speaking, School/Community Relations, State and Local Politics, etc.). The program is developmental and sequential, starting with an introductory course and culminating with a capstone course. The program focuses on community engagement, which develops into a politics/public policy arena of interest. Though there are no specific poverty courses, the program works with the greater Metropolis of Portland’s community to address issues related to poverty and economics in a hand on scenario. There are global aspects in the course material but the program does not offer international experience.

Program/Course Architecture:

A Lead In Course – Introductory Course entitled, “Introduction to Civic Leadership”
Poverty Courses – See Electives below; No specific course on poverty
International Exposure – 3/4 courses have an international component in materials covered
Full Time Internship – Optional - 10 hours each week/Community based
Capstone Seminar – Reflective & professional presentation or culminating portfolio that exhibits community-based experience related to salient themes in civic leadership (6 credits). Can be a capstone course or internship

Specific Courses of Study:

1. Required Courses
A. PA 310 “Introduction to Civic Leadership” (3 credits)
B. PA 411U “Foundations of Citizenship and Community Leadership” (4 credits)
C. USP 407 “Integrative Seminar” (3 credits)
D. One pre-approved community-based experience related to salient themes in civic leadership (6 credit). 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.

2. Electives (4 credits each)
A. CR-410 “Intro to Non-Violence”
B. ENG-208U “The Immigrant Experience”
C. EPFA-410U “School/Community Relations”
D. EPFA-410U “Spiritual Leadership”
E. MS-311 “Leading Small Organizations”
F. PA-410U “Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals”
G. PA-410U “Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions”
H. PA-410U “Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions”
I. PA-417 “Ethical Leadership and Public Service”
J. PHE-365 “Health Promotion Programs for Children and Youth”
K. PS-312 “Legislative Process”
L. PS-417 “Interest Groups”
M. PS-431 “State and Local Politics”
N. SCI-331U “Science, Gender and Social Context”
O. SOC-423 “Stratification”
P. SP-220 “Public Speaking”
Q. SP-313 “Communication in Groups”
R. SP-415 “Problems in Intercultural Communication”
S. USP-410 “Concepts of Community Development – Building Civic Capacity”
T. USP-450 “Concepts of Citizen Participation”

Learning Outcomes for Students:

To demonstrate the knowledge of:
A. The history of civic engagement in America and in Oregon
B. The various forms of civic engagement
C. How government functions and the role of politics in creating change
D. The role of citizen leadership in the transformation of communities
E. Local communities and how to effectively interact with diverse members and groups
F. Policy analysis and critique
G. Writing and presenting for public audiences
H. Servant Leadership and other forms of traditional/non-traditional leadership
I. Personal Leadership strengths, challenges, and maximize effectiveness
J. Managing and collaborating amongst difference
K. Strategies for consensus building
L. Identifying and analyzing power structures
M. Collaboration, interpersonal communication, and effective teamwork
N. Community asset mapping
O. The roles of key stakeholders in community development
P. How to think systematically: to organize student and/or other groups to create change
Q. Making a difference in communities both locally and worldwide.

Strategies for Bonner Connection

Role of Service: Service-based internships and the required Integrative Seminar

Student Leadership: The program links educational theory with praxis. As a result, students connect and
understand civic skill building. The minor focuses on a non-traditional & non-hierarchal approach to leadership.

Community Partnerships:
Long-term development; 10 hours each week/Community based