BKV_ZAVF Introduction to Public Finance

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Ing. Petra Dvořáková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Ing. Robert Jahoda, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Špalek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Ing. Robert Jahoda, Ph.D.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Jana Biskupová
Supplier department: Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Prerequisites (in Czech)
FORMA(K)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
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. The main attention is paid to tax policy issues. 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.
Learning outcomes
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, the cost and the process 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.
Syllabus
  • There are four lectures which take place during weekends:
  • 1) The public sector and its role in a mixed economy, causes of the existence public sector; The position of the public sector, extent and reasons for failure of PS, Externalities, Public goods; Public choice
  • 2) Introduction to Public Policy: actors, lobbying and the process.
  • 3) General overview of the scope and structure of public finances, budgetary system and process; the redistribution element of public finance; public revenues and expenditures; fiscal imbalance
  • 4) Introduction to tax policy: actors, principles, reforms. Selected aspects of tax policy: the impact of taxes (real estate tax and mortgage tax) on the housing market; the impact of taxes (depreciation, capital, rate and sector tax) on corporate decisions, the impact of taxes on individual internal returns of fully funded pensions (impact of taxes - public policies - on decisions of individuals and corporate sector).
Literature
    required literature
  • Distanční studijní opora: "Veřejná ekonomie" Malý, I. a kol. 2. aktualizované znění, Brno, 2013
    recommended literature
  • MAAYTOVÁ, Alena, František OCHRANA and Jan PAVEL. Veřejné finance v teorii a praxi. První vydání. Praha: Grada, 2015, 208 stran. ISBN 9788024755618. URL info
  • NERUDOVÁ, Danuše. Daňová politika v Evropské unii. Vydání první. Praha: Wolters Kluwer, 2017, xiii, 213. ISBN 9788075526823. info
  • HAMERNÍKOVÁ, Bojka. Veřejné finance : vybrané problémy. Vydání první. Praha: Wolters Kluwer, 2017, 162 stran. ISBN 9788075525772. info
    not specified
  • STIGLITZ, Joseph E. Ekonomie veřejného sektoru. Vyd. 1. Praha: Grada, 1997, 661 s. ISBN 8071694541. info
Teaching methods
There are four tutorials (each four hours) during the semester. Lectures focus on explanations of the main topics of public economics, public finance, tax policy and public policy. Self-study is emphasised then. Students have an opportunity to evaluate their knowledge in self-correcting on-line tests. Students should elaborate on seminar works, which are then corrected by the teachers. Should you consider a short study stay abroad, contact the course guarantor.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with an oral exam. Students are eligible to take the oral exam provided that they fulfil the given conditions: 1. they hand in seminar papers in a given extent and structure within the obligatory date, 2. they successfully pass one (online) test in the IS MU during an obligatory period.
Based on the point evaluation of the POTs and the online test, a grade for the oral exam is proposed to the student. Detailed information concerning the seminar work and the online test is available in the interactive syllabi of the course in the IS MU.
Any copying, recording or leaking tests, use of unauthorized tools, aids and communication devices, or other disruptions of objectivity of exams (credit tests) will be considered non-compliance with the conditions for course completion as well as a severe violation of the study rules. Consequently, the teacher will finish the exam (credit test) by awarding a grade "F" in the Information System. The Dean will initiate disciplinary proceedings that may result in study termination. The mentioned procedure relates to all the activities that are included in the final evaluation of the course (seminar work, essays, tests etc.).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
Note related to how often the course is taught: 12 hodin + 4 online.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: tutorial 16 hodin.
Teacher's information
Students should follow the current development of the concerned issues in the media and on the Ministry of Finance webpages and other institutions' webpages.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/econ/spring2025/BKV_ZAVF