Public Administration

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes12

Independent study hours84

Date of course confirmation30.09.2020

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developers

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Dace Kaufmane

Dr. oec.

Voldemārs Bariss

Dr. phil.

Replaced course

PolZM001 [GPOLM001] Public Administration

Course abstract

The aim for studying this subject - to provide detailed insight in public administration theories and practice. The examples of administrative innovative practice both in Latvia and abroad are analyzed. Reviewed topics are supplemented by analysis of appropriate normative documents and outlook from sociological perspective.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The study course:
provides knowledge on public administration concepts and theories, on conceptual models of public administration as a system, on innovations and reforms in public administrations of different countries, and on specific of public organizations functioning and specific, as well as management innovations (tests, practical works, independent work);
develops skills to use theoretical knowledge for design of applied sociological research, to carry out conceptual analysis of current public policy problems for sociological purposes,to elaborate and analyse public policy documents, and to assess management decisions, based on the comprehensive understanding of public administration system (tests, practical work, discussions, independent work);

develops students’competency to take into consideration rules and regulations of public administration as agent, influencing social processes, and ability to use sociological analysis as source for managerial decision making I public sector (tests, practical work, discussions, exam).

Course Content(Calendar)

Lecture topics (32 h):
1. Public administration: basic concepts and theoretical approaches (4 h)
2. Institutional structure of Latvia public administration (4 h).
3. Basic functions of public administration (4 h).
4. Cultural and public administration values: public value sets as a factor in public administration (2 h).
5. Public administration typology: comparative public administration (4 h).
6. Current trends of modernization of public administration (4 h).
7. New trends in management of organizations (4 h).
8. New management trends in public administration (4 h).
9. New ideas in personal management practices (2 h).

Workshops, seminars and practical assignments (16 h, each 1 h):
1. Analysis of public administration definitions.
2. Analysis of institutional structure of Latvian public administration.
3. Public value sets in Latvia society (research reports analysis).
4. Comparative analysis of institutional theories.
5. Public administration system in Soviet times in Latvia (short student reports).
6. Specific features of public organizations. Case study.
7. Conceptual ideas on bureaucracy (M. Weber, R. Mihels, H. Saimon, G. Peters).
9. Ideological basis for post-bureaucratic administration (V.Niskanens, A.Gors et al.)
10. Ethical Dilemmas in Public Administration (case analysis)
11. Presentations of public administration research and policy documents.
12. Presentations of public administration research and policy documents.
13. Specifics of managerial work in public administration institutions (situation analysis).
14. Management trends in the state and local government sectors. Case studies. Discussion
15. Creative management opportunities in the public sector. Case studies. Discussion
16. Talent Management in Latvia: theoretical and real. Situation analysis. Discussion
15. Including the latest knowledge of management in the implementation of separate management functions. Role playing. Discussion
16. Analysis of Best Practices in Public Administration Reform abroad (studies and document presentations)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Examination - 10 points
Testing at the scheduled time - 4 points
Home work "Analysis of the organization" during the semester and submission at the indicated time - 4 points.
Participation during the entire semester - 2 points.
Assessments’ 2 points correspond to 1 point of the 10 points assessment scoreboard.

Acquisition of the study course in distance learning is organized in accordance with the order of the Vice-Rector for Studies “On the procedure of e-studies at LLU”, a study course acquisition schedule is created for each semester. Students acquire the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and inserted by the lecturer in the e-learning environment Moodle. Feedback on the acquisition of topics in lectures and seminars in distance learning is organized in the form of self-examination tests, discussion forums and individual assignments, as well as face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the schedule.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Home work "Organizational Analysis" Volume 8-10 pp., Submitted at the indicated time in printed form.

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

1. Bariss V. Publiskā administrācija. Jelgava: LLU, 2009.Ir LLU FB
2. Berkley G, Rouse J. The Craft of Public Administration. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
3. Organizations Theory and the Public Sector.T. Christensen, and others. London and New York: Routledge, 2007.
4. Creative Industries.Hartley J. (Ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2005. 436 p.
5. Praude V. Menedžments. 1. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012. - 496 lpp. Ir LLU FB
6. Praude V. Menedžments. 2. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012. - 305 lpp. Ir LLU FB.
7. The Public Administration Theory Primer. Ed. by H. George Frederickson, Kevin B. Smith, Christopher W. Larimer, Michael J. Licar. Routledge. 2018. 322 p Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429494369
8. The Palgrave Handbook of Public Administration and Management in Europe. Ed. By Ongaro E. • van Thiel S. Palgrave Macmillan. 2018. 1268 p. Pieejams: https://sycamoreresourcecentre.com/admin/img/file.uploads/document_2103271149361616834976.pdf
9. Christensen T., Laægreid P., Roness G.P., Røvik K.A. (2007). Organization Theory and the Public Sector: Instrument, Culture and Myth. London and NewYork: Routledge, 191 p. Pieejams: http://www.untag-smd.ac.id/files/Perpustakaan_Digital_2/ORGANIZATION%20THEORY%20Organization%20Theory%20for%20the%20Public%20Sector%20Instrument,%20culture%20and%20myth%20%20(2007.pdf
10. Peters Guy B. (2001). ThePolitics of Bureaucracy. 5th ed. London and NewYork: Routledge, 388 p. Pieejams:
https://www.academia.edu/9967032/The_Politics_of_Bureaucracy_Fifth_edition

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Likumi.lv [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/
2. Public Administration Review [tiešsaiste],Online ISSN:1540-6210,
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15406210
3. Attīstības plānošanas sistēmas likums. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/175748-attistibas-planosanas-sistemas-likums

Notes

Compulsory course for students of the Master's study program “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”

Atsauksmes