PERb1006 Introduction to Public Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Pavel Horák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Pavel Horák, 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
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(B) && ! VPLb1150 Introduction to Public Policy
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 aim of the course is to equip students with basic knowledge in the field of theory and practice of public policy and the public political process, and the possibilities of their analysis and evaluation. This knowledge enables them to understand the processes and facts related to the policy-making and implementation of partial public policies and influence their final outputs, results, and effects.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1) understand the processes of policy-making and implementation and factors influencing public policy, 2) analyze partial aspects or topics of particular public and social policies and (3) propose adequate steps for their modification and possible improvement of their functioning.
Syllabus
  • Introduction to Public Policy
  • Governance
  • Actors
  • State and Public Administration
  • Policy-making I. - Theoretical Perspectives
  • Policy-making II. - Defining the Problem and Setting the Agenda
  • Decision-making
  • Policy Implementation I. - Theoretical Perspectives
  • Policy Implementation II. – Current Approaches to its Investigation
  • Evaluation
  • Approaches to Public Policy Analysis
Literature
    required literature
  • Hupe, P., Hill, M. (eds.) (2012). Public policy. Vol 1-4. Sage.
  • Weible, Ch. M., Workman, S. (ed). (2022). Methods of the Policy Process. 1st edition. Routledge.
  • Vigoda-Gadot, E., & Vashdi, D. R. (Eds.). (2020). Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • HILL, Michael J. and Frédéric VARONE. The public policy process. Eighth edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2021, xii, 388. ISBN 9780367445348. info
  • BIRKLAND, Thomas A. An introduction to the policy process : theories, concepts and models of public policy making. Fifth edition. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020, xvii, 430. ISBN 9781138495616. info
  • POTŮČEK, Martin. Veřejná politika. Vydání první. V Praze: C.H. Beck, 2016, xx, 309. ISBN 9788074005916. info
  • PETERS, B. Guy. Advanced introduction to public policy. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2015, x, 203. ISBN 9781781955765. info
  • HILL, Michael J. and Peter L. HUPE. Implementing public policy : an introduction to the study of operational governance. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2009, xii, 232. ISBN 9781412947992. info
  • Public management and governance. Edited by A. G. Bovaird - Elke Löffler. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2009, xxiii, 374. ISBN 9780203884096. info
    recommended literature
  • Hupe, P. (Ed.). (2019). Research handbook on street-level bureaucracy. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Farazmand, A. (Ed.). (2023). Global encyclopedia of public administration, public policy, and governance. Springer Nature.
  • Hupe, P. (Ed.). (2022). The politics of the public encounter: What happens when citizens meet the state. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • RAINEY, Hal G.; Sergio FERNANDEZ and Deanna MALATESTA. Understanding and managing public organizations. Sixth edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Jossey-Bass, 2021, xx, 572. ISBN 9781119705895. info
  • ZÜRN, Michael. A theory of global governance : authority, legitimacy, and contestation. First edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, xviii, 312. ISBN 9780198819981. info
  • KRAVCHUCK, Robert. Public administration : understanding management, politics, and law in the public sector. Edited by David H. Rosenbloom. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005, xvii, 590. ISBN 0071238433. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, continuous homeworks, group discussions, literature study.
Assessment methods
Continuous written test, group seminar work in the range of at least 12 standard pages, final written exam (at least 65% knowledge must be achieved for the test and exam).
Language of instruction
Czech
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
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