VS24VD029 Public administration in selected EU countries

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Summer 2026
Extent and Intensity
10/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
JUDr. Marie Sciskalová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
JUDr. Marie Sciskalová, Ph.D.
Institute of Public Administration and Social Policy – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: JUDr. Marie Sciskalová, Ph.D.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
VS24VD029/A: Fri 20. 3. 13:55–19:40 TR01, Sat 21. 3. 8:05–10:30 TR01, M. Sciskalová
VS24VD029/B: Fri 24. 4. 15:35–19:40 TA01, Sat 25. 4. 8:05–12:10 TA01, M. Sciskalová
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of organisation in selected EU countries: students will gain an understanding of the organisation of public administration from the perspective of its actors and implementers at central and local level in selected EU countries, focusing on common and specific features. In a similar vein and in the same countries, students will also learn about the organisation and structure of local government.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the basic principles of the functioning of state power in selected European Union countries, both from the perspective of the activities of central administrative bodies and from the perspective of. By studying this course, students will acquire a theoretical knowledge base that will serve as a foundation for further courses in the field of public administration. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the organization of public administration in countries such as France, Austria, and Poland, which will help them understand the links between economic and financial mechanisms that undoubtedly influence the functioning of states. Completing the course will contribute to an understanding of the scope of activities of individual state bodies, regional state bodies, and local government bodies in decision-making matters concerning entities (natural persons, legal entities). Graduates of the course will be able to analyze the state systems of selected European Union countries in terms of the horizontal and vertical organization of public power.

Learning outcomes
Acquisition of knowledge:Students will acquire information on the establishment, structure, function of public administration in selected countries of the European Union. Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to practical examples in the field of public administration, including (transport education, health). Interpretation of selected concepts. Formulation of recommendations: students will be able to present the results on the basis of the studied facts in the seminar component. Critical thinking: Students will be able to critically evaluate different approaches to labour market regulation and their impact on the economy and society.
Syllabus
 Introduction to the characteristics of the scope of the course: state establishment, self-government, interpretation of selected concepts. State power.  Form of government and state system in selected European Union countries. General characteristics explaining the exercise of state power by the highest organs of the state, their structure, the way they are constituted and their interrelations. Classification of heads of state, monarchy, republic.  Approaches to the classification of models of public administration. Classification of models of public administration, specifics of the organization of public administration in the states of the European Union, criteria of public administration centralization and decentralization. Models of Public Administration Anglo-American, Continental, Models of Local Administration.  Organisation of public administration in France History of the creation of the state, current organization of public administration, territorial division, state power (Parliament-National Assembly, Senate), local government (regions, departments, overseas regions, overseas departments)  Organisation of public administration in the Federal Republic of Germany. History of the formation of the state, current organisation of public administration, territorial divisions, state power (Federal Administration, Land Administration, Middle Land level, district level),  Public administration organisation of the Republic of Austria. History of the formation of the state, current organization of public administration, territorial divisions, state administration, state power (Austrian Parliament, National Council, Federal Council), Federal Land - Parliament, Provincial Government) districts, 15 statutory cities) municipalities, cities, towns  Organization of public administration in Hungary. History of the formation of the state, current organization of public administration, territorial divisions, state power (Parliament, President, Prime Minister, local government - counties, districts, cities  Organisation of public administration in the Slovak Republic. The history of the formation of the state, the current organization of public administration, territorial division, state administration, state power (Self-governing counties, districts, municipalities)  Organisation of public administration in the Republic of Poland History of the formation of the state, current organization of public administration, territorial division, state administration, state power, Parliament - Sejm, Senate (Voivodeships, districts, municipalities)  Organisation of public administration in Sweden History of the establishment of the constitutional monarchy, present organization of public administration, territorial division, state administration, state power (the role of the king is representative, legislative power belongs to the unicameral Parliament (Riksdag), executive power-government. Local government: counties, municipalities  Organisation of public administration in the Netherlands History of the formation of the state, current organisation of public administration, territorial divisions, state power
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussion: A combination of lectures and communication that will allow students to discuss the topic of the lecture. Case study analysis: Students will be asked to select specific examples related to public administration in selected European Union countries, specifically administrative bodies and the scope of decision-making powers. Independent projects: Assignment of individual projects focused on the analysis of specific aspects of public administration in different regions. Discussion and presentation of acquired knowledge: Students will discuss and present their views on current issues of public administration in selected European Union countries. Working with professional literature: Students will be guided to work with required and recommended literature to expand their knowledge and skills for practical application.
Assessment methods
The course ends with an examination, a combination of written and oral parts
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Teacher's information
http://marie.sciskalova@fvp.slu.cz
the subject matter of the course can be consulted with the teacher after the lecture, via TEAMS, at any time by agreement
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