| Statuss(Aktīvs) | Izdruka | Arhīvs(0) | Studiju plāns Vecais plāns | Kursu katalogs | Vēsture |
| Course title | Public Administration |
| Course code | PolZB001 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 6 |
| Total Hours in Course | 162 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 32 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 32 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 0 |
| Independent study hours | 98 |
| Date of course confirmation | 28/02/2025 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Course developers | |
| Ph.D., lekt. Mairita Kalniņa |
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| There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course | |
| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the course is to provide knowledge in the theoretical aspects of public administration, the structure of public administration, procedures and their implementation practices, digital transformation trends in public administration and services, forming a methodological basis for social information analysis, development planning and other competences in administration.
The course examines the structure of public administration, its basic operating principles, institutional structure and the main functions of the executive branch: policy planning and administration, service delivery, budget management and human resources management. The course introduces trends in the modernisation of public administration, aspects of the reduction of bureaucracy in the public sector, and the opportunities for public participation and the role of public administration in decision-making processes. The lectures are complemented by the analysis of relevant research, information reports and laws and regulations through practical work and seminars. |
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| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| The course provides knowledge on the basic concepts and conceptions of public administration and public administration, the institutional system of public administration, practice and reforms in Latvia and abroad (examination, tests, discussions, group works).
During the course, students acquire the skills to independently analyse public administration documents, current problems and their solutions, evaluate the effectiveness of administrative decisions from the perspective of public administration and societal development, engage in and take responsibility for the results of group work and their analysis, as well as plan their time in the performance of assigned tasks (practical works, group works, discussions). Competences such as understanding the structure of public administration, understanding the conditions for quality decision-making are developed. Students are able to assess the impact of decisions on societal processes (exam, practical work, group work, discussions). |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| Full-time study:
Lecture topics (32h): 1. Basic concepts of public administration and governance (3 hours). 2. Public governance from a systems approach (3 hours). 3. Public involvement in decision-making processes in public administration (3 hours). 4. Institutional structure of public administration (3 hours). 5. Strategic planning in the public sector (3 hours) 6. Public and private: commonalities and differences (3 hours) 7. Key processes of public administration (4 hours). 8. Digital transformation of public administration and services (3 hours) 9 Comparative analysis of public administration models (4 hours). 10. Public administration research as a resource for modernisation (3 hours). Practical work/workshop topics (32 h): 1. Analysis of the definitions of public administration and public administration - practical work, discussion (2 hours). 2. Institutional structure of Latvian public administration - discussion, group work. (2 hours). 3. Control work on the basic concepts and notions of public administration and public administration (1.5 hours). 4. Control work on the institutional structure of public administration (1.5 hours). 5 Analysis of the 12 principles of good governance developed by the European Commission and their application in the public sector in Latvia (examples in public administration and municipalities) - group work, discussion (3 hours). 6. Analysis of the document "Digital Decade Strategic Roadmap for Latvia until 2030" developed by the Ministry of Education and Science - discussions, practical work (3 hours). 7. Analysis of public participation policy in Latvia - discussions, group work (3 hours). 8. Situation analysis and group work on the decision-making process of local governments: "Analysis of a municipal council meeting" (2 hours). 9. Discussion on "Latvian public administration in Soviet times and today" (2 hours). 10. Seminar on the analysis of M. Weber's "Essay on Bureaucracy" (2 hours). 11. "Analysis, discussion, group work (3 hours). 12. student presentations on Latvian public administration policy documents and research (4 hours). 13. Exam on theoretical aspects of the study course (3 hours). Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Two tests in the time allowed - 20%. Presentation on a public administration study or planning document - 30 %. Exam - 50 %.
The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| During independent work, students study the content of the study materials, analyse them and prepare their own explanations or opinions for discussion in group work or seminars. | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| To test knowledge, the student must successfully complete the tests and pass the examination.
The independent work is assessed on the quality of the task. Discussions are assessed on the basis of the student's activity and ability to explain and discuss in a reasoned manner issues related to the subject matter of the course. |
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| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.Abels M.L. Policy Making in the Public Interest: A Text and Workbook for Local Government. New York and London: Routledge, 2018.122 p. ISBN: 978-1-138-06481-2.
2.Brandsma G.J. Handbook on European Union Public Administration. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2024. 386 p. ISBN: 978-1-80220-900-6 3.Mocca E. Cities in Search of Freedom: European Municipalities against the Leviathan. Great Britain: Bristol University, 2023.145 p. ISBN: 978-1-5292-1632. 4.Bariss V. Publiskā administrācija. Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte, 2009. ISBN978-9984-48-013-8. Pieejams LBTU FB. 5.Liou K.T. Handbook of public management practice and reform. New York, Basel: Marcel Dekker, 2001.p.848. ISBN 9781482270532, 1482270536. Pieejams ESAF bibliotekā 6.Lane J.E. The public sector: concepts, models and approaches. Second edition. London; Newbury Park ;New Delhi : SAGE, 1995. 357 p. ISBN 9780761967484, 0761967486. Pieejams EBSCO: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=5521d7c9-57c4-31c4-a49a-f201dbbe10d9 7.Møller F.S. Public Administration: Perspectives, Management and Challenges. New York : Nova. 2020. ISBN 9781536176346. Pieejams EBSCO: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=38e9d084-1212-363e-959e-bdd1c445d380 |
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| Further reading | |
| 1.Polits K., Bukerts G. Sabiedrības vadības reforma. Salīdzinošā analīze. Rīga, - ĪUMVRLS, 2000. Pieejama LBTU FB.
2.Levits E. Valstsgriba: idejas un domas Latvijai 1985-2018. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2019. 848 lpp. ISBN: 978-9984-840-56-7. 3.Adler M.D., Fleurbaey M. The Oxford Handbook of Well-Being and Public Policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016. xi, 963 p. ISBN 978-0-19-932581-8. 4.Peterson J., Shackleton J. The institutions of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 453 p. ISBN 0198737416, 9780198737414. 5.Gortner H.F. Ethics for public managers. New York : Greenwood Press, 1991.p.186. ISBN 9780275938475, 0275938476. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/
Eiropas Padomes oficiāla tīmekļa vietne: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal 2.Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrijas tīmekļa vietne: https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv |
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| Notes | |
| Compulsory study course in academic bachelor's study programme “Sociology of organizations and public administration” | |