Course code EkonP016

Credit points 12

Regional Development

Total Hours in Course324

Independent study hours324

Date of course confirmation16.10.2019

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author prof.

Modrīte Pelše

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon2108, Management of Innovation

Ekon2119, Regional Economics

Ekon3096, Sustainable Development

Ekon3107, European Union Projects

Ekon4091, Performance of Local Governments

Ekon4095, Methods of Regional Analysis

Ekon4097, Regional Development Planning

JurZ3017, Cadastre

JurZ4017, Obligations Law

VadZ4010, Management

VadZ4033, Logistics

Course abstract

During their work placement, students consolidate their theoretical knowledge acquired and build up the competences specific to the study programme and practical skills in dealing with regional development problems and in working for a local government. The work placement is organised and managed in line with each student’s individual practice curricula. Students have an opportunity to acquire information for producing their graduation papers.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge of
operation of the work placement organisation and the organisation’s role in dealing with regional development problems. Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report.
Professional skills to
Associate their theoretical knowledge of regional development with practical tasks in order to take part in the daily routine of the work placement organisation and in tackling problems at it.
Analyse, compare and assess various regional development-related processes and identify possibilities to improve the processes.
Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report.
Soft skills to
Perform and assume responsibility for the tasks given. Reference of the work placement supervisor.
Cooperate with the personnel of the work placement organisation. Reference of the work placement supervisor.
Explain and present their work results to others. Presentation of the practical training report.
Competence to
Independently analyse, assess, discuss as well as perform practical tasks given in field of regional development, working individually and in a team. Practical training report, a reference of the work placement supervisor, the presentation of the report.
Independently work towards building up their own competences. Practical training report.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Supplementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in the specialization Regional Development and Governance with practical work skills.
2. Getting acquainted with the work placement organisation, identifying the role of the work placement organisation in the context of regional development and responsibly performing the tasks assigned.
3. Getting familiarised with work organization at and the structure of the work placement organisation, its responsibilities and competences as well as its goal and objectives in the context of regional development.
4. Assessing strategic documents, giving practical recommendations for operational improvement and enhancement of the work placement organisation.
5. Implementing the individual practice programme and fulfilling the responsibilities defined in the trainee appointment letter.
6. Performing the tasks given to the trainee by the work placement supervisor.
7. Participating in discussions and meetings that are open and held at the work placement organisation.
8. Collecting and processing information, analysing and systematising it for a bachelor thesis.
9. Preparing and submitting a practical training report.

10. Presenting the practical training report.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The duration of the work placement is 8 weeks. During the placement, the student prepares a practical training report in line with the practice curriculum. The written report is 15-20 pages long. The report has to be structured and formatted in accordance with the LLU ESAF Guidelines for Producing and Defending Study Projects. The report has to be submitted to the practice supervisor appointed by the institute prior to the deadline set by the EKRA Institute. The report is supplemented with the trainee appointment letter with the work placement supervisor’s reference letter approved by the work placement organisation. The report has to be defended before a committee appointed by the EKRA Institute. For the defence, the student has to make a 5-7 minute (PowerPoint) presentation on the responsibilities fulfilled during the traineeship.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Practice represents the self-organized work of the student that involves 320 hours of independent work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The traineeship is assessed on a 10-pint marking scale. The lowest passing mark is 4 (almost satisfactory). The assessment is done by the Practice Defence Committee based on the content of the practical training report, the student’s performance during the defence and the work placement supervisor’s reference letter.

Compulsory reading

1. Keišs S., Kazinovskis A. Reģionālā attīstība Latvijā: administratīvi teritoriālās reformas norises gaita, problēmas, risinājumi & Regional Development in Latvia: Course, Problems and Solutions of Administrative Territorial Reform. Monogrāfija. Rīga: Vītola izdevniecība, 2014. 616 lpp.
2. LR likums “Par pašvaldībām”.
3. LR likums “Reģionālās attīstības likums”.
4. LR likums “Teritorijas attīstības plānošanas likums”.
5. Latvijas Nacionālais attīstības plāns.

6. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija.

Further reading

1. Capello R. Regional Economics 2nd Revised edition. New York: Routledge, 2016. 354 p. ISBN 978-1-1-38-85588-5
2. Ignatjevs S. Teritorijas mārketings kā reģiona stratēģiskās attīstības faktors. Rēzekne: Rēzeknes Augstskola, 2010. 192 lpp.
3. LR likums "Par pašvaldību budžetiem."

4. Vietējo pašvaldību plānojumi

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: Latvijas Biznesa avīze. Rīga: Diena: Dagens Industri, 1992. ISSN 1407-2041
2. Kapitāls: žurnāls lietišķiem cilvēkiem: krāsains biznesa un ekonomikas žurnāls. Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests, 1998. ISSN 1407-2041

3. Diena. Rīga: Diena, 1990. ISSN 1407-1290

Notes

Practice in the specialisation (Part B) for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics, specialisation Regional development and Governance