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Public Administration

Course developers

Replaced course

PolZ5009 [GPOL5009] Public Administration

Course abstract

The study course introduces master's students to the theory and practice of public administration today. The goals, institutional structure, models and functions of public administration are examined, as well as Latvian and foreign experience in solving current administration problems and innovations. The presentation of the topics is supplemented with relevant latest management findings, publications, regulatory acts, as well as with the analysis of the sociological aspects of administration.
The aim of the study course to provide master's students with an understanding of public administration, which would serve as a methodological basis for sociological research, social information analysis, development planning and other administrative work competencies.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of the institutional system, the specifics of its operation and management, the practice and reforms of public administration in Latvia and abroad, the integration of the latest knowledge of management, information and crisis management in public administration. (Tests, discussions, independent work, presentations.)
Skills - to use the theoretical knowledge of administration in conducting applied sociological research, to include aspects of public policies in the sociological analysis of public spheres, to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of administrative decisions based on a systemic understanding of the activity of public administration and to analyze the operation of public sector organizations in the context of management theories and to use theoretical knowledge in information management and in solving crisis situations. (Analysis of case studies, policy documents, group and independent works, discussions.)
Competences - able to conduct sociological research in the field of public administration, but to use sociological analysis and the latest management knowledge as a resource in making administrative decisions. (Exam.)

Course Content(Calendar)

In full-time face-to-face studies:
Lecture topics:
1. Conceptualization of public administration: basic concepts and theoretical approaches. (2h)
2. Institutional structure and basic processes of public administration in Latvia. (2h)
3. Value systems and value orientations of society as a factor of public administration. (2h)
4. Models of public administration: comparative public administration. (2h)
5. The practice of modernization of public administration as a system in Latvia and abroad. (2h)
6. Tendencies that have influenced modern management. (2h)
7. Current trends in management and their impact on public administration. (2h)
8. Latest findings in personnel organization. (2h)
9. Information management challenges in organizations. (2h)
10. Principles of crisis management. (2h)
Topics of practical works / seminars:
1. Analysis of definitions of public administration. (1 hour)
2. The institutional structure of Latvian public administration. Seminar: E. Levits "Legal structure and basic concepts of the state and state administration" text analysis and discussion. (2 hours)
3. Value orientations of Latvian society. Seminar: research analysis in the context of public administration. (2 hours)
4. M. Weber. Bureaucracy. Workshop: text analysis. (2 hours)
5. Test 1. Institutional structure of Latvian public administration. (1 hour)
6. Analysis of the best practices of public administration reforms abroad. Research and document presentations. (2 hours)
7. Management trends in the state and municipal sector. Discussion. (1 hour)
8. Information management in the public sector. Discussion (1 hour)
9. Cyber security strategy analysis (1 hour)
10. Creative management opportunities and talent management in the public sector. Discussion. (1 hour)
11. Legal regulation of crisis management. Group work presentation. (2 hours)
12. Inclusion of the latest management findings in the implementation of certain management functions. Presentations of independent work. (3 hours)
13. 2nd test on management trends, processes and latest findings. (1 hour)

In part-time correspondence studies:
All topics indicated for full-time attendance are implemented, but the number of contact hours is 1/2 of the number of hours indicated.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam – 50%
Two tests – 20%
Independent work, situation analysis, presentation of public administration studies or planning documents, analysis of policy documents and assessment and presentations of group work - 30%

10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point study results evaluation scale

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The independent works must be presented in the lessons at the scheduled time.
Test papers must be written in the time allotted for them.
Missed lessons are made up in accordance with the LBTU Study Regulations and the requirements provided in the study course program.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

A master's student can receive a passing grade in the test if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
Independent and group works are evaluated according to the quality requirements of task performance, the ability to use theoretical knowledge of administration and analyze the operation of public sector organizations.
Discussions are evaluated according to involvement and ability to reasonedly explain and discuss issues related to situation analysis.

Compulsory reading

1. Artificial Intelligence in Science. Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Research (2023) OECD Pieejams: https://www.oecd.org/publications/artificial-intelligence-in-science-a8d820bd-en.htm
2. Bariss V. Publiskā administrācija. Jelgava: LLU, 2009, 111.lpp.
3. Cropf R.A. The public administration casebook. Boston: Longman, 2012, 108 p.
4. Denhardt B.R. Theories of Public Organization. 6th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011, 240 p.
5. Gaile A., Pavlova M. Efektīva vadītāja rokasgrāmata. Rīga: Valsts kanceleja, 2017, 171.lpp.Pieejams:https://www.mk.gov.lv/sites/default/files/editor/efektiva_vaditaja_rokasgramata.pdf
6. Holzer M., Schwester R. Public administration: an introduction. Abingdon, Oxon, New York: Routledge, 2019, 438 p.
7. Informations Management. (2013)
Pieejams: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317012641_Information_Management
8. Levits E. Valsts un valsts pārvaldes juridiskā struktūra un pamatjēdzieni, 2020, 44. lpp.
9. Public administration in Central Europe: ideas as causes of reforms. London, New York: Routledge, 2020, 292 p.
10. Public administration under modern conditions: concept, features, chalenges. eBook. Rīga: Baltija Publishing, 2020. 264 p. Pieejams: http://www.baltijapublishing.lv/omp/index.php/bp/catalog/book/55
11. Shafritz J. M., Russell E.W., Borick C. Introducing Public Administration. 8th ed. London and NewYork: Routledge, 2015, 592 p.
12. Weber. Bureaucracy. In: PublicAdministration. Concepts andCases. (ed. Stillman II r. J.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co,1996, pp. 58 - 66.
14 Ways to Build A Solid Crisis Management Strategy. (2020) Forbes,16. Sept. 2020. Pieejams: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/09/16/14-ways-to-build-a-solid-crisis-management-strategy/

Further reading

1. Berkley G, Rouse J. The Craft of PublicAdministration. NewYork: McGraw-Hill, 2009, 359 p.
2. Ešenvalde I. Pārmaiņu vadība. Rīga: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2007, 264 lpp.
3. FredericksonH. G., SmithK. B., Larimer C. W., Licari M. J. The Public Administration Theory Primer.Boulder : Westview Press, 2018, 310 p.
4. Information management in practice. Faculty of University Sopot, 2015. Pieejams: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://wzr.ug.edu.pl/nauka/upload/files/Information%20management%20in%20practice.pdf
5. Kalve I. Apseglot pārmaiņu vējus. Stratēģiskā un pārmaiņu vadība. Rīga: BAT, 2005, 295 lpp.
6. Ozoliņa Ž., Reinholde I. (red.) Laba pārvaldība. Rīga: Zinātne, 2009.
7. Praude V. Menedžments. 1. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012, 496 lpp.
8. Praude V. Menedžments. 2. grāmata. Rīga: SIA" Burtene", 2012, 305 lpp.
9. Pūķis M. Pašu valdība. Rīga: Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība, 2010, 512 lpp.
10. Vanags E. Valsts pārvaldes reforma ārvalstīs un Latvijā. Rīga: Latvijas statistikas institūts, 2007, 103 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Attīstības plānošanas sistēmas likums. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/175748-attistibas-planosanas-sistemas-likums
2. Informācijas tehnoloģiju drošības likums. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/220962-informacijas-tehnologiju-drosibas-likums
3. Krīzes vadības padomes nolikums. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/224553-krizes-vadibas-padomes-nolikums
4. Saeimas kartības rullis. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/57517-saeimas-kartibas-rullis
5. Politikas veidošanas rokasgrāmata. Pārresoru koordinācijas centrs. Pieejams: https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/pkc_rokasgramata_090316_web.pdf
6. Public Administration Review. Online ISSN:1540-6210 Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15406210

Notes

Compulsory course in the ESAF academic master’s study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”.