PV24TK025 Social Policy

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2026
Extent and Intensity
10/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Pavel Bareš, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Ing. Ladislav Průša, CSc.
Institute of Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: PhDr. Edita Ondřejová, Ph.D.
Timetable
Fri 2. 10. 12:15–15:30 C208, Fri 16. 10. 13:05–15:30 C208, Fri 27. 11. 12:15–14:40 C208
Prerequisites (in Czech)
FAKULTA(1951) && TYP_STUDIA(B) && FORMA(K)
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, actors, and instruments of social policy in the European and Czech contexts and enable them to understand its importance for the prevention of socially pathological phenomena. The course emphasizes the relationship between social policy and social work practice, particularly in relation to social services law, family policy, employment policy, health policy, and education policy.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: • explain the essence, functions, and principles of social policy and its place in the social sciences system, • identify the basic tools and mechanisms of social policy in the Czech Republic, especially in the areas of social services (Act No. 108/2006 Coll.), employment, family policy, health policy, and education policy. • apply knowledge of social policy in the analysis of specific social events (illness, unemployment, old age, family threats), • be familiar with the legislative framework of social services and be able to define its significance for the prevention of socially pathological phenomena, • critically evaluate selected social policy measures in terms of their impact on individuals, families, and communities. • connects theoretical concepts with social-pedagogical and preventive practice, • argues and presents expert opinions on social policy and prevention issues, • is prepared to apply knowledge in the professional practice of a social worker.
Syllabus
1.    Introduction to Social Policy: Its Actors, Functions, and Main Principles
2.    Social Policy Instruments and Implementation Options
3.    The Development of Social Policy and the Concept of the Welfare State
4.    The Role of Social Policy and Its Perception in the European Context
5.    The Emergence and Types of Social Events
6.    Social Security as the Basis of Social Policy
7.    Employment Policy
8.    Social Services and Their Role in Social Policy
9.    Family Policy
10.  Housing and Education Policy
11.  Mental Health, Preventive Healthcare, and Health Insurance
12.  Prevention of Discrimination and Promotion of Equal Treatment
Literature
    required literature
  • BAREŠ, P. Sociální politika. Distanční studijní text. Opava: Fakulta veřejných politik v Opavě, 2025.
  • MERTL, Jan a kol. Sociální politika. Praha: Wolters Kluwer, 2023. ISBN 978-80-7676-675-4.
  • KACZOR, Pavel. Sociální systém ČR. Praha: Oeconomica, nakladatelství VŠE, 2022. ISBN 978-80-245-2443-6.
  • TOMEŠ, I. Úvod do teorie a metodologie sociální politiky. Praha: Portál, 2010. ISBN 978-80-7367-680-3. info
  • Zákon č. 108/2006 Sb., o sociálních službách, ve znění pozdějších předpisů. info
    recommended literature
  • DEAN, H. Social Policy. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2012. Second Edition. ISBN 978–0-7456-5178-1.
  • TOMEŠ, I. Obory sociální politiky. Praha: Portál, 2011. ISBN 978-80-7367-868-5. info
  • ONDRÁŠEK, Stanislav, KOZLOVÁ, Lucie, HRICOVÁ, Alena, URBAN, Da-vid. Sociální politika. Praha: Grada, 2024. ISBN 978-80-271-5138-7.
  • ŠÁMALOVÁ, Kateřina, VOJTÍŠEK, Petr (Eds.). Sociální správa: organizace a řízení sociálních systémů. Praha: Grada, 2021. ISBN 978-80-271-2195-3.
  • KAHOUN, V. a kolektiv. Sociální zabezpečení. Vybrané kapitoly. Praha: Triton, 2013. ISBN 978-80-7387-733-0. info
  • RÁKOSNÍK, J., TOMEŠ, I. Sociální stát v Československu: Právně-institucionální vývoj v letech 1918-1992. Praha: Auditorium, 2012. 978-80-87284-30-8.
  • POTŮČEK, M., a kol. Veřejná politika. Upr., dopl. a aktualiz. vyd. v českém jazyce. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 2005. ISBN 80-86429-50-4. info
  • MUSIL, L. Vývoj sociálního státu v Evropě. Čítanka z historie moderní evropské sociální politiky. Brno: Doplněk, 1996. ISBN 80-85765-62-4. info
  • KELLER, J. Soumrak sociálního státu. Praha:Slon, 2005. ISBN 978-80-7419-017-9. info
  • SIROVÁTKA, T. (ed.). Česká sociální politika na prahu 21. století. Efektivnost, selhávání, legitimita. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2000. ISBN 80-210-2307-4. info
  • WINKLER, J. Teorie rozhodování a dynamika sociální politiky. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2007. ISBN 978-80-210-4486-9.
Teaching methods
Lectures, independent work with texts and completion of assigned tasks by students
Assessment methods
- completion of correspondence tasks as assigned
- written test
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2024, Winter 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fvp/winter2026/PV24TK025