Course detail

Introduction to Public Finance and Public Administration

FA-VEFIAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course covers the basics of public administration and public finance.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

After graduating the course, students should be able to explain the role and functions of the state, causes of the existence of public sector objectives and the cost of current government policies and the role of public choice in their enforcement, to describe the structure and function of Czech public budgets, to understand differences in the position, function and funding of regional government and also should be able to compare the above-described problems from a historical and international perspective.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course takes the form of both lectures and seminars. In lectures the basic themes are explained to students, which are discussed in seminars. During the seminars, students discuss specific problems, which explains and reviews. There is the Interactive Syllabi where can be found all necessary information.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course is concluded with an oral test. Students are eligible to take the oral exam provided that they fulfil given conditions. Student is obliged to collect at least 60 % of points from the continuous evaluation in seminars. The continuous evaluation is based on two written tests and the elaboration and presentation of a seminar paper on a given topic. The teacher can award students with “bonus” points if they are active during the seminars. Not gaining the required minimum of points is considered as a failure to prepare continuously. It does not mean that students can re-take the “failed” tests or the seminar paper either. Students are graded with an F in such a case. In the evaluation oral examination the examiner shall take into account the continuous assessment of student of study activities.

Course curriculum

1) The public sector and its role in a mixed economy, causes of the existence public sector
2) The position of the public sector, extent and reasons for failure of PS
3) Public choice, public policy
4) General overview of the scope and structure of public finances, budgetary system and process
5) The functions of public finance, the redistribution element of public finance
6) Public revenues I, introduction to the tax theory
7) Public revenues II, tax administration
8) Fiscal imbalance
9) Reforms of PS in foreign countries, trends and specific reforms in Central and Eastern Europe
10) The Role and organization of the central administration
11) Role and organization of local administration
12) Fiscal federalism and the international finance
13) E-government – the Czech Republic and foreign countries

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim is that after graduating student at the basic level understands the form, methods of operation and financing of the public sector. The course is based on basic economic theory applicable to the public sector and continues to the introduction of form and function of public administration, including the financial flows between the various components. Economic theory, which is part of the course, is illustrated primarily on the reality of the Czech Republic. Learning knowledge can be used if a student interested in a deeper study of the operation and financing of the public sector, while it also facilitates orientation in the daily discussions about the function and role of the state and give him a better and easier to evaluate the effects of changes in public policies.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Active participation in lectures, seminars and check tests, participation in the final oral test.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

HAMERNÍKOVÁ, Bojka a Alena MAAYTOVÁ. Veřejné finance. 2., aktualiz. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer Česká republika, 2010. 340 s. ISBN 9788073574970. (CS)
PEKOVÁ, Jitka a Jaroslav PILNÝ. Veřejná správa a finance veřejného sektoru. Edited by Marek Jetmar. 3., aktualiz. a rozš. vyd. Praha: ASPI, 2008. 712 s. ISBN 9788073573515. (CS)

Recommended reading

POTŮČEK, Martin. Veřejná politika. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 2005. 399 s. ISBN 8086429504. (CS)
HENDRYCH, Dušan. Správní právo. Obecná část. 5. rozšíř. vyd. Praha: C.H.BECK, 2003. 793 s. ISBN 80-717-9671-9. (CS)
POMAHAČ, Richard a Olga VIDLÁKOVÁ. Veřejná správa. Vyd. 1. Praha: C.H. Beck, 2002. xii, 278. ISBN 8071797480. (CS)
STIGLITZ, Joseph E. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Vyd. 1. Praha: Grada, 1997. 661 s. ISBN 8071694541. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme ARCHURB Master's

    branch ARCHURB , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional