PERb1011 Introduction to Economics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Ing. Renata Skýpalová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Markéta Horáková, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Renata Skýpalová, Ph.D.
Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 8:00–9:40 P21a
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(B) && ! VPLb1108 Principles of Economics
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
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course "Introduction to Economics" aims to equip students with the economic knowledge essential for successful human resource management. Students will be able to apply basic economic concepts to strategic decision-making in the field of personnel development. Simultaneously, through its content, this course will focus on understanding the importance of economic contexts at both micro and macro levels. In this way, students will be prepared for multidisciplinary engagement in the field of personnel development, with an emphasis on socio-economic aspects.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
Base their analysis of economic activities on the fundamental economic problem of society.
Assess market resource allocation failures.
Explain the impacts of economic fluctuations using macroeconomic indicators.
Syllabus
  • Economics as a social science. Basic economic concepts.
  • Basic economic backgrounds, economic systems, the law of scarcity and the law of time economics, the theory of needs.
  • Demand, supply and market equilibrium.
  • Perfect and imperfect competition. The efficiency of the market.
  • Market failure. Externalities.
  • Public goods.
  • Gross domestic product. Business cycle.
  • Unemployment. Inflation.
  • Aggregate supply, aggregate demand.
Literature
    required literature
  • LIPOVSKÁ, Hana. Moderní ekonomie : jednoduše o všem, co byste měli vědět. První vydání. Praha: Grada, 2017, 252 stran. ISBN 9788027101207. URL info
  • SAMUELSON, Paul Anthony and William D. NORDHAUS. Ekonomie : 19. vydání. Vydání první. Praha: NS Svoboda, 2013, xxiv, 715. ISBN 9788020506290. info
    recommended literature
  • MANKIW, N. Gregory. Principles of economics. Ninth edition. Boston: Cengage, 2021, xxxi, 816. ISBN 9780357038314. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, Discussion of Current Economic Issues, Book Club, Semester Project
Assessment methods
Written Test, Semester Project, Presentations, Teamwork, Analysis of Macroeconomic Data, Voluntary Assignments
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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