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Public Administration

Course developer

Prior knowledge

PolZ1009, Political Theory

VadZ3015, Management

Course abstract

The aim of study course is to provide for students knowledge on public administration theories, its organizational structure, procesess and implementation practices, helping as methodological background for analysis of social information, development planning and performing of other public functions. The public administration organizational principles, structure and functions, such as policy planning and administration, service delivery, financial management, personal management, are envisaged. Study course acknowledges students also with public administration modernization trends. Review of course topics in lectures are supplemented by analysis of appropriate regulations, informative and research reports during the practical works and seminars.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students:
1. demonstrate the knowledge
• of basic concepts and theoretical backgrounds of public administration,
• on the institutional structure of public administration,
• on public administration practices and reforms in Latvia and abroad.
2. are able to
• to reasonably analyze public administration documents and explain typical challenges, decisions and solutions in the public sector,
• to assess efficiency and effectiveness of administrative decisions, regarding development trends of administration and society,
• to argue their opinion by analysing problem situations characteristic to public administration
3.Course develops students’ competency to understand and assess impact and quality of public administration decisions and policies on public benefit.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lecture topics (16 h):
1. Public administration: basic concepts and theoretical approaches (3 h).
2. Systemic approach to public management (2 h).
3. Institutional structure of public administration (3 h).
4. The main processes and procedures of public administration system (3h).
5. Comparative public administration (3 h).
6. Research on public administration as its modernization resource. (2 h).

Workshops, seminars and practical assignments (16 h):
1. Analysis of public administration definitions (1h).
2. Analysis of institutional structure of Latvian public administration (1h).
3. Test on basic concepts of public administration (0,5 h).
4. Test about public administration structural organization (0,5 h).
5. Public value sets in Latvia society: research reports analysis (2 h).
6. Case study and group discussion on management of state agency “Emergency Service” (2 h).
7. Public administration system in Soviet times in Latvia: short students reports (1h).
8. Conceptual ideas on bureaucracy (M. Weber, R. Mihels, H. Saimon, G. Peters, and oth): seminar (2h).
9. Analysis of “The development strategy of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies 2021 – 2027” (1h).
10. Presentations of public administration research and policy documents (3h)
11. Study course summary and discussions (1 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Two tests at the scheduled time - 20 points
Presentation on public administration research or policy documents – 30 points.
Exam – 50 points
Assessment of 10 points corresponds to 1 point of the 10 points assessment scoreboard.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

During the independent work students read and analyze specified texts, prepare their explanation and arguments for group or seminar discussions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

A student gets a sufficient evaluation of the test, if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
Independent work is assessed according to the requirements of the quality of compliance with the work task
Involvement in discussions is assessed by ability to reasonably explain personal opinion and to discuss about issues related to managerial functions.

Compulsory reading

Students sekmīgu atzīmi pārbaudes darbā var saņemt, ja vismaz 50% jautājumu ir atbildēts pareizi.
Patstāvīgo darbu novērtē pēc uzdevuma izpildes kvalitātes atbilstības prasībām.
Diskusijas vērtē pēc iesaistes un spējām argumentēti izskaidrot un diskutēt par jautājumiem, kas saistīti ar menedžmenta funkcijām.

Further reading

1. Christensen T, and oth. Organizations Theory and the Public Sector. London and New York: Routledge. 2020. 220 p
2. Polits K., Bukerts G. Sabiedrības vadības reforma. Salīdzinošā analīze. Rīga, - ĪUMVRLS, 2000. Ir LLU FB
3. Praude V. Menedžments. 1. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012. 496 lpp.
4. Praude V. Menedžments. 2. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012. 305 lpp

Periodicals and other sources

1. Administration and Society. ISSN: 0095 - 3997 [Tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: http://aas.sagepub.com/
2. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Likumi.lv [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/
3. Public Administration Review [tiešsaiste], Online ISSN:1540-6210,
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15406210

Notes

Compulsory course for students of the bachelor study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”