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JOINT MASTER’S PROGRAMME REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE

HANDBOOK

2014

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Compilers: prof. Diana Šaparnienė, Jurgita Mikolaitytė

Photos: Z. Ripinskis, D. Kaliginas, R. Parafinavičius,

Šiauliai University and Pardubice University archive

ISBN 978-609-8125-06-1

© Leidykla „Euroknyga LT“, 2014A. Mickevičiaus g. 32, Šiauliai LT-77168

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Dear students,

A very warm welcome to Šiauliai University! We are happy that you have decided to study the joint Master’s study programme Regional Development and Governance delivered by Šiauliai University (Lithuania) and Pardubice University (Czech Republic). We live in time of challenges where issues of eco-nomic and governmental crisis, globalization, and the problems of sustainable development of regions serve to remind us of the critical role played by gover-nment in contemporary modern society. For these and many other reasons, your choice to study this new study programme is well-timed and your gained competences after finishing studies are expected and hopeful in general.

We are extremely proud of having you here from different countries of the world. Internationality is an integral part of contemporary studies, as well as strategy of our University. As a consequence, the studies will enable us to better understand our world and ideas, beliefs of different regions, understand and respect cultures and beliefs of each other. We sincerely wish you an interest-ing and successful stay and hope that the time spent during the study years in Lithuania and Czech Republic will remain as significant and positive experien-ce in your life.

As a supervisor of this joint study programme, I look forward to leading the programme towards success and development. It is possible only in our close collaboration and communication, sharing ideas together, solving problems and searching for the best solutions. I would be happy to constantly discuss with you how our programme meets your expectations. Thank you again for your interest in our programme. Welcome to the joint Master’s study programme!

Prof. Diana Šaparnienė

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CONTENT

I. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Purpose of this Handbook ............................................................................ 5 1.2. Joint Study Programme – What Is It? ........................................................ 6II. OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITIES 2.1. Šiauliai University ............................................................................................ 7 2.2. University of Pardubice ................................................................................... 8

III. PROGRAMME REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE 3.1. Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes ............................................... 9 3.2. Degree ................................................................................................................ 10 3.3. Career Opportunities ...................................................................................... 10 3.4. Admission .......................................................................................................... 11

IV. CURRICULUM OF THE PROGRAMME 4.1. Regional Development and Governance Programme ................................ 12 4.2. Academic Mobility ........................................................................................... 15

V. SYSTEM OF STUDY 5.1. Credits ................................................................................................................ 15 5.2. Teaching Methods and Learning Environment ............................................ 15 5.3. Consultation System ........................................................................................ 18 5.4. Assessment of Students’ Achievements ....................................................... 19 5.5. Student Complaints and Appeals Procedures ............................................... 20 5.6. Student’s Role in Programme Improvement ................................................. 20 5.7. Library .............................................................................................................. 21

VI. MASTER’S THESIS 6.1. General Information ....................................................................................... 22 6.2. Preparation Process and General Requirements .......................................... 22 6.3. Defence of the Master’s Thesis ....................................................................... 23 6.4. References and Academic Integrity ............................................................... 24

VII. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 7.1. Support for Foreign Students .......................................................................... 25 7.2. Disabled-friendly Environment ..................................................................... 25 7.3. Official Language .............................................................................................. 26 7.4. Student’s Card ................................................................................................... 27 7.5. Accommodation ............................................................................................... 27

Annex No. 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION .................................................................................. 28CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 59

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INTRODUCTIONPurpose of this Handbook

This handbook outlines the policies and procedures of joint Master’s study pro-gramme “Regional development and governance” (hereinafter the Programme), delivered by Šiauliai University (Lithuania) and University of Pardubice (Czech Republic). It is designed to give students the basic academic guidance and prac-tical information that they need as students of this master’s study programme. It is recommended to read it through at the beginning of the studies so that students have an overview of its contents, and then keep it to refer to later on. This handbook systemically introduces all most important information related to the proceeding of joint studies. Topics cove-red include the overview of the universities, programme aims and learning outcomes, degree and career opportunities, students’ admission process, curriculum of the programme and academic mobility issues, system of studies, including the description of credits, teaching methods, consultation system, assessment and appeals procedures, etc. The special focus is given to the Master’s thesis preparation and defence. Other relevant information, regarding support for foreign students, student’s card and accommodation is also provided in the handbook. This handbook is intended as a supplement to the legal documents, regulating studies at Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice. It does not replace nor supersede these documents. All Programme students are respon-sible for understanding and complying with all policies and procedures of both Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice. In the event of a conflict in in-terpretation of policies or procedures, the interpretation of the Regulations of Studies shall prevail. Although students are encouraged to seek advice from Programme coordinators, guarantee and supervisor as well as administrative staff of both universities, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to meet the rules and regulations of the institutions for degree comple- tion. Questions should be directed primarily to the Pro-gram Coordinators in Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice.The Programme supervisor and guarantee are also key persons.

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JOINT STUDY PROGRAMME – WHAT IS IT?Nowadays more and more European Universities offer Joint Study Programmes as an important tool in the internationalization and cooperation within the European Educational Area. A joint study programme promotes mobility and intercultural exchange as well as increased international employability of its graduates. Joint study programme is an integrated curriculum coordinated and offered jointly by different higher education institutions and leading to a double/multiple or joint degree. The main features of joint programme are:

• It consists of a consortium of international partner universities;• Students have the facilities and expertise of all partner universities in

the consortium at their disposition.• Teaching staff constitutes international lecturers.• Students choose one entrance university and at least one (depending

on the curriculum of the joint degree programme) mobility university.• The study programme is carried out within a framework of organized

mobility.• Modules and courses completed during the mobility period are

automatically recognized.• Students receive either a national degree from the individual

institutions or a jointly conferred degree.• The joint diploma - an international diploma - is recognized by all

degree-awarding partner universities.

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OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITIES

ŠIAULIAI UNIVERSITY Together we create, share and make our ideas live

Šiauliai University is a regional and classical type higher education institution located in the Northern region of Lithuania, founded in 1997. Šiauliai University is open for society; it disseminates contemporary achievements in science and technologies, fosters forms of democratic society, maintains and cherishes tradi-tions of the national culture and humanistic values. • COMMUNITY of 5300 people (5000 students and 300 academic staff). • 7 FACULTIES, Institute of Informatics, Mathematics and E-studies, Continuing Studies Institute. • 3 STUDY CYCLES: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree. • RESEARCH CENTRES: Gender Studies, Biological Research, Educa-tional Researches, Energy and Environmentally Clean Technologies, Modelling of Physical Processes, Natural Science Education, Public Health, Social Re-search, Special Education, Technological Experiments, Biomedical Engineering, Art Research. • INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: over 130 agreements with foreign higher education institutions (HEI) from 40 countries all over the world. Uni-versity successfully participates in various activities of LLP / ERASMUS pro-grammes: exchange of students and lecturers, ECTS adjustment, intensive pro-grammes, European networks, projects and joint degree study programmes.

• WORLDWIDE recognised diplomas and accredited programmes, Diploma Supplement Label 2013-2016 awarded by the European Commission.

• STUDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS: ESN ‘Erasmus Student Network’, Students’ Club, the Students Representation, members of International Association of Students Economists and Managers (AISEC), Mentor progra-mme.

• RATINGS: According to study conditions provided to students in 2014, ŠU takes the 2rd place among Lithuanian HEI. The website „Ranking Web of World Universities“ has updated the ranking of world universities and ŠU takes 2919 place out of 12000 World ranked HEI, and among Lithuanian HEI is listed in the 7th position.

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UNIVERSITY OF PARDUBICEDynamic Environment for Learning, Research and Innovation

The University of Pardubice is an international university with worldwide reputation offering a combination of high quality of education in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degree study programmes with almost 130 study speciali-zations. Its educational, scientific, research and development activities are reali-zed with accordance to the Higher Education Act No. 111/1998, and towards the European Higher Education and Research Area (EHEA and ERA). The University of Pardubice has been extending more than fifty-five year-long tradition of higher education in the city of Pardubice. • 7 FACULTIES with over 10 000 students in 60 undergraduate or post-graduate study programmes with more than 130 study specializations. • TEACHING STAFF consists of renowned lecturers and specialists. • INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: University of Pardubice coope-rates with over 300 universities and research institution in 40 countries. Around 70 international agreements have been concluded with foreign higher education institutions for international cooperation in the field of education and research, and more than 300 within the EU Erasmus Lifelong Learning education Ex-change Programme. • INTERNATIONALISATION OF STUDIES: University departments par-ticipate in international programmes, take part in student and staff Exchange programmes and share experience in many projects, organize prestigious inter-national sessions, workshops, conferences and seminars. Students can develop their interests and talents within numerous student organizations taking advan-tage of various international scholarships. • WORLDWIDE recognised diplomas and accredited programmes. The

University is becoming an active part of the European and world higher education and research area.• RATINGS: According to Go-vernment Council for Research and Development, University of Pardubice is ranked in the 10th position out of 35 higher education institutions in Czech Republic.

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PROGRAMME Regional Development and Governance

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

Joint master’s study programme Regional Development and Governance is designed for individuals who have obtained higher university education and aiming to obtain expert-analytical competences needed for work in state and self-governance institutions forming and implementing regional policy, in the private sector actively collaborating with these institutions. The aim of the Programme is to educate high qualification specialists-experts and analysts on public administration who are able to complexly inte-grate fundamental knowledge on public governance and regional development as well as abilities of scientific research and expert activities for preparation and implementation of programmes on regional development. Planning of regional development and perfection of its governance is a complex and not day-to-day process requiring consecutive work of state institu-tions. Changes of regional policy and governance pose new challenges to profes-sionalism of participants of the public administration system and their ability to actively perform in a changing environment. With regard to the features of change and perspectives in regional deve-lopment and governance, strategic aims of sustainable development regions, world tendencies in implementation of the new public governance paradigm in public administration, students will be able:

• professionally investigate, analyse and complexly solve challenges of the EU and states’ regional development and governance, to intellectually, clearly and professionally render theories of regional development and introduce conclusions, to work out and implement programmes on regional development, to suggestively argue recommendations to auditoria of both specialists and non-specialists, to assess results of own and others’ performance, to consult on issues of perfection of performance and implementation of innovations;

• complexly integrate knowledge on regional development and governance when meeting the public interest and making innovative solutions based on democratic values and civic spirit concerning creation of public welfare of regions and its governance, foreseeing possibilities for application of these solutions in the EU and world context;

• critically and systemically assess regional development processes and regional governance tendencies on local and international levels, to foresee

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governance changes, to assess alternative options of solutions and possible their social and ethical consequences;

• creatively implement innovations in fields of own professional performance and to improve learning skills necessary to continue completely independent studying. During Master’s studies, it is aimed complex integration and deepening of analytical competences of research organisation, management and imple-mentation of processes of public, especially sustainable regional development, social and economic policy which would enable participation in implementa-tion of regional development policy, consolidation of regional cohesion this way benefiting to socio-economic development of (own) region and increase of its competitiveness.

Degree

After the successful completion of the Programme students will receive a joint master’s degree of Public Administration from Šiauliai University and Univer-sity of Pardubice with European Diploma Supplement, which aids recognition of gained qualification when applying for overseas work and study opportuni-ties, by providing a clear and detailed description of academic curriculum and competencies. Joint diploma is issued when a student positively graduates all the study courses of the Programme and defends a Master’s Thesis in Šiauliai Uni-versity or University of Pardubice. The diploma of the joint study programme and its supplement corresponding to the form of documents setin the coun-try and university are issued by the university that enrolled students to the study programme. The document is signed by representatives of both univer-sities, the diploma is registered in appropriate data bases of both universities.

Career Opportunities

As the graduate of the Master’s studies, students will obtain joint Master’s De-gree of Public Administration and will be capable to: • work in state and local (self-governance) institutions of governance and public administration, national and international organisations, business companies, regional development and consulting agencies, local and inter-national non-governmental organisations, research centres where compe-tenceson regional development and governance are needed;

• be analysts of regional socio-economic policy and development,

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designers and coordinators of regional development programmes and projects who are competent in aspects of regional development, formation and imple-mentation of regional policy, can efficiently contribute to creation and imple-mentation of regional economic progress and social welfare;

• continue with doctoral studies in the field of public administration, management, political sciences, etc.

Admission

Student is eligible to the admission if:• he/she is graduated first-cycle university-type study programme and has

a bachelor degree in Public administration, Economics, Management or similar field. If a student wishes to study in the Programme, but his/her major or minor field of graduated first-cycle studies is different, or he/she is graduated from college studies and obtained Professional Bachelor’s Degree, the student should attend additional studies. Additional courses are chosen individually with regard to the structure of applicant’s earlier obtained competences. Students who are not yet in possession of a Bachelor degree may be eligible for admission to the Programme through the selection process, under the conditions that they obtain this Bachelor degree before enrolling in the second-level degree programme.

• he/she has at least B2 level of English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The level of English can be proven by these documents: supplement of the undergraduate (first-cycle) education diploma with the assessment for a study course of a foreign language (English) (at least 6 ECTS credits), or a certificate of English test results (TOEFL Paper 513-547, TOEFL IBT 65-78, IELTS 5.5-6.0 levels) or another document certifying B2 level command of English. Students’ level of English in every university is determinedin accordance with the procedures adopted in the appropriate university. The students are selected according to the regulations of the university, which the student is apply-ing to. Admission of stu-dents at Šiauliai University is regulated by Regulations

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of Studies, approved by the Senate, Rules for Students’ Admission to Šiauliai University, annually approved by Rector and other acts passed by the Senate. Admission to studies at the University of Pardubice is regulated by Czech Law - Act No. 111/1998 Sb., on universities and amending other Acts (Higher Educa-tion Act), as amended, PU Statute and acts passed by the Senate. Admission to the Programme proceeds at only one of the partner university, according to the general regulations for admission valid in the countries, and also on the ground of additional admission criteria established at the universities in a set order. Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice alternate in admitting students to the Programme and each of the partner universities admit new students every two years. The first admission in 2014 proceeds at Šiauliai Uni-versity. The second admission to the Programme in 2015 proceeds at Pardubice University. For more information about admitting university and application process for EU and non-EU citizens can be found in Programme website: http://jointregion.su.lt

CURRICULUM OF THE PROGRAMMERegional Development and Governance Programme

The volume of the programme Regional Development and Governance is 120 ECTS credits, 4 semesters. The content of the study programme consists of the following groups of courses: 1) courses of the study field – 90 ECTS, including compulsory courses of the study field – 72 ECTS and elective concentres of the study field –18 ECTS; 2) Master’s Thesis – 30 ECTS. The content of the study programme, with regard to the volume and needs of students, is logically divided into four blocks. The first block is dedicated to development of the conception of regionalism as a theoretical construct, the second is dedicated to development abilities to make governance decisions conditioned by regional development policy, the third is to deepen research-er’s analytical competence, the fourth is designed to develop abilities to analyse socio-economic issues of democratic regions, selecting courses for studying. Such division of the programme allows programme designers develop stu-

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dents’ abilities to perceive, critically assess and construct multi-directional pro-cesses of regional development and governance (see the Table No.1). During one semester, the amount of study courses does not exceed 5; studies of each course are finished with an exam or assessment of student’s independent work/project. During first three semesters of studies students are provided with an opportunity to choose one study course out of concentres: Economic Develop-ment of the Public Sector, Social Welfare and Participatory Governance. In the second semester, students studying at Šiauliai University choose out of two study courses of the concentre Social Welfare offered by the University of Pardubice. Meanwhile students at the University of Pardubice choose one study course out of two of the concentre Social Welfare offered by Šiauliai University. Elective concentres of the field constitute 18 ECTS credits of the join study programme and are focused on acquisition of knowledge and abilities on contemporary democratic regional economic and social development, go-vernance that will be helpful to specialists having some practical or academic experience in the field of public administration to work efficiently, creatively, to follow democratic principles, to estimate changes and manage them.

PLEASE NOTE: the electives are tenta-tive depending upon faculty changes and number of registered students and may vary from year to year! For more informa-tion about courses see Annex No 1.

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Tabl

e No.

1. Th

e Cur

ricu

lum

of t

he P

rogr

amm

e Reg

iona

l Dev

elop

men

t and

Gov

erna

nce

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Academic Mobility

48 ECTS credits (40 per cent of the Programme’s scope) are delivered on the ground of academic mobility. Academic mobility as one of the main features of joint study programme is organised in different ways: a) students‘ and teachers‘ physical mobility; b) blended mobility, which combines aspects of physical and virtual mobility in order to maximize the advantages of both approaches. The list of the courses for the following academic year on the base of academic mobility is confirmed by the Study Programme Committee at the end of each academic year. The mobility timetable is formed by the Programme’s Coordinators and is approved in accordance with inner university regulations no later than 1 month prior the beginning of each semester.

SYSTEM OF STUDYCredits

Credit allocation is based on study load for the student, according to the ECTS. Credits are used to define the extent of a given course. One credit com-pares 28 hours of participating in education, taking interim examinations and studying. Lectures, seminars, consultations and other forms of instruction (wri-ting of essays, preparation for examination, etc.) are taken into consideration when the number of credits for each course is being calculated. It doesn’t matter whether courses are taken abroad or in Šiauliai University. Please note, that a credit does not refer to the duration of a course, but to the estimated amount of work required. The estimated work load for full time student in one academic year is 60 ECTS credits, meaning 30 ECTS credits per semester.

Teaching Methods and Learning Environment

The Programme anticipates the application of different teaching and learning strategies: learning through communication and collaboration, inquiry- and technology-based learning, case studies, etc. Student-centred teaching methods expand students’ abilities to know the world of performance and professional field, help to develop professional and transferable competence and lifelong learning attitude.

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Lecturing is the most commonly used teaching method. Flexible forms and methods of studies, such as digital and distance learning, virtual mobility and modelling software that maintain students’ continuing learning and self-development principles for professionalism of a participation in public gover-nance, are used as well. Accounting of the Programme studies is carried out in virtual academic information systems. Šiauliai University has the Academic Information System AIS, at University of Pardubice – STAG. These systems store student’s personal data, compulsory credits collected during a set period, data on assessment of learning outcomes. The programme Regional Development and Governance has a virtual learning environment (http://joint.distance.su.lt/ ) that contains materials, fo-rums and assignments for the courses taught. Each course has a unique environ-ment accessible only for the lecturer and students taking this course. At the be-ginning of first semester the students are instructed how to sing to programme’s virtual learning environment. The enrolment key to the course is provided by the teacher. Each course has a written syllabus, which has been prepared by univer-sity teachers-experts in their field, and designed with the study needs of students in mind. It is designed to give the student the basic information that he/she needs in order to organise the study of the course, including: • learning outcomes of the course; • format and procedures of course studies, including course attendan-ce policy; • an outline discussion of the main syllabus topics and readings; • learning activities and assignments to encourage students to engage critically with the course. All courses consist of lectures and seminars (workshops). Seminars require active students’ participation and presentations. Lectures do not always cover the entire content of the course and students are required to complete different kind of non-marked (e.g. reflection on action, discussions in virtual course environment, etc.) and marked assignment (e.g. essay, case study, group project, etc.) and exam in order to complete the course. The non-marked as-signments are used as active learning methods that help students continuously develop their professional knowledge and abilities of systemic, critical and crea-tive thinking, ability to identify main relations between theory and reality. There is a specific exam period at the end of the term. However in some cases exams might be held throughout academic year, after a completion of a

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course. The course teacher informs the students about the date, time and place of the exam. There are at least two possible dates, so that student can try again if he/she fails the first time. A variety of written assignments are used within Programme courses. The following instructions will give a basic introduction to written assignments. Written assignments can be returned to course instructor as a paper version or as e-mail or through Moodle course environment according to the agreement between the course teacher and students. There are different types of written assignments: essay, paper, case study, etc. PLEASE NOTE that requirements for assignments may vary from course to course.

ESSAY This is a short (up to 5 pages) paper based on reasoning; it analyses a particular problem, argues and reasons author’s subjective posi-tion. The style of a paper combines features of journalistic, scientific and artistic elements. The essay is discussed and assessed according to criteria known to a student. Various types of essays exist: argu-ments-based, causal, classification, comparative, critical, deductive, narrative, investigatory etc. The essay has a clear structure: 3 parts (introductory, main body, generalisation/conclusive). An essay is not just a summary of the course or a book. It should answer the question set by the student or argue a statement or a viewpoint that he/she has posed. For doing this, the student should use the knowledge gained from the course, lectures or some other materials agreed upon beforehand with the course instructor.

PAPER It is an analytical paper which may be an article, a research, studies of a scientific problem etc. According to set criteria they register various stages of performance, anticipate results, raise hypotheses, indicate key words, methods or strategy of search for information sources etc. Projects are individual and group, dedicated to analysis of va-rious practical problems, carrying out empirical research, also to search for the ways to solve problems.

CASE STUDY

Case study presents a specific problem or event based on real-life situation. It involves analysing qualitative and quantitative data, taking decisions regarding the most appropriate actions and reco-mmendations, as well as sharing and discussing those decisions with other learners. Usually it is teamwork-orientated, as students cooperate in small groups in order to solve the problem.

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Suits to assess special competences: problem cases, issues ari-sing in particular profession-related contexts are suggested. Stu-dents suggest particular ways to solve problems.

Consultation System

Consultation is a form organising students’ teaching and learning as well as their independent studying (individual, in group); it is also a dialogue between a con-sultant and the consulted during which a learner finds out the aims, methods of learning and foresees means to achieve them. Consultations can be individual and arranged for an entire group or separate small groups. Consultations can proceed directly teacher and student/s communicating face-to-face or in a dis-tance mode. Students of the joint study programme may use consultation systems operating in both universities. When implementing the joint study programme at ŠU and PU, the set order of consultation of students involves information and consultation through different interactions: teacher to student, specialists of ad-ministrative subdivisions to student.

• Teacher to student. Teachers of a course consult a student on questions related to the content of a course being studied, planning, organisation of self-studying activities and self-assessment of progress. Students may address teaching staff on questions of interest individually, according to a schedule of teachers’ consultations set in each university. Consultations set in advance in a study course syllabus are announced in the timetable of lectures. Consultations of a research adviser and a consultant proceed according to the agreement between a teacher and Master’s student, but compulsorily at least once per month. During consultations in teams, a student is consulted by specialists of several fields, teachers of several subjects, e.g. when preparing Master’s Thesis. Consultations may be provided via various electronic means of communication.

• Specialists of administrative subdivisions to student. A coordinator of the joint programme informs and consults on issues of the study process, also staff working in the faculty and various university services provide consultations, librarians-consultants help in cases of information search in the library. Some elements of the consultation system are set in documents regula-ting studies, others operate as additional conditions created under initiatives of a department/institute, faculties or universities. Independently from a type of consultation, both the consulted and con-sultant must prepare for it in advance.

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Assessment of Students’ Achievements

The Programme is based on principles of the EU common higher education area, therefore, students’ learning outcomes in the partner university are acknow-ledged automatically. The learning outcomes of the students of the Programme in Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice are accounted according to the requirements of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The local grading system is used for the assessment of the workload achieved by the students. Partner universities agree on the evaluation adjust-ment (see Table No. 2).

Table No. 2Adjustment of Study Outcome Evaluation

ECTS Evaluation (grade) University of Pardubice Šiauliai UniversityMark Per cent of knowledge

A 95-100 % 1.0 (excellent) 10 (excellent)B 85-94 % 1.5 (excellent minus) 9 (very good)C 75-84 % 2 (very good ) 8 (good)D 65-74 % 2.5 (very good minus) 7 (highly satisfactory)E 55-64 %

3 (good )6 (satisfactory)

E 50-54 % 5 (sufficient)F 0-49% 4.0 (unsatisfactory/fail) 4-1 (fail)

The learning outcomes of the course are evaluated applying cumulative assess-ment. The system of cumulative assessment means the procedure of accumula-tion of the final mark (grade) for a study course (module) set at the beginning of a semester (cycle) by a teacher and adjusted with students. The final mark can consist of several components accumulated during the study process. A teacher sets and informs students at the beginning of the semester (cycle) about the weight impact (by per cent) of each component (assignment, task) on the final mark as well as formulates criteria for assessment of each interim assignment. Examination may be part of the cumulative assessment making impact on the final mark (grade). PLEASE NOTE: Cumulative assessment is not applied for the assessment of Master’s thesis. Assessment methods and criteria are set by a course teacher with regard to out comes to-be-achieved and applied study methods. Information on assign-ments and structure of cumulative assessment for each course are presented in

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university information systems AIS (ŠU) or STAG (PU), course syllabus and distance learning environment (http://joint.distance.su.lt). PLEASE NOTE: If a course is taught by several teachers, they together de-cide what final mark should be. The re-taking of examinations, repetition of study courses, order for re-examination of appeals concerning assessment of outcomes, order of dealing with appeals are regulated by legal documents of the university where the stu-dent has been enrolled for studying. If a conflict, violation of academic ethics, procedural actions arise, appropriate structures of a university, where a student has been enrolled for studying, perform following the set functions, if needed, collaborating with structures of a partner university.

Student Complaints and Appeals Procedures

If a student has a complaint about any aspect of University life, it should be raised with an appropriate person at the earliest opportunity. Complaints that are dealt with informally at an early stage have the best chance of being resolved effectively. The re-taking of examinations, repetition of study courses, order for re-examination of appeals concerning assessment of outcomes, order of dealing with appeals are regulated by legal documents of the university where the stu-dent has been enrolled for studying. If a conflict, violation of academic ethics, procedural actions arise, appropriate structures of a university, where a student has been enrolled for studying, perform following the set functions, if needed, collaborating with structures of a partner university. If the right of appeal against assessment of Master’s Thesis is granted by the individual university where the student has been enrolled for studying, then it shall be processed according to the order of appeals concerning graduation theses approved at the respective partner university.

Student‘s Role in Programme Improvement

Students are actively integrated into processes of the programme improvement. Two students of the programme are delegated to the Study Programme Co-mmittee, which main goal is to ensure the quality of the programme and that theprogramme curriculum responds to the needs of students, labour market and University study policy.

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Students anonymously evaluate all courses of the programme upon its completion by course evaluation questionnaire in the virtual learning environ-ment Moodle, where they have the possibility to provide recommendations, identify advantages and disadvantages of the learning and studying process. The results of the course evaluation function as a guide for the development of the course and of the programme.

Library

Journals and publications as well as many books that will be especially useful for the courses of the Pro-gramme mostly are available on-line. Hard copies can be found in the Library department at the Faculty of Social Science of Šiauliai University and Library of University of Pardubice. However, students may also need to use central Library of Šiauliai University. Libraries of both universities have an online catalogue and electronic in-formation resources (databases), computer class and rooms for group work, etc. Copying and printing services are also provided for the students for extra fee. Students have to check in advance the availability of books they need for essays or other assignments. Students should familiarise themselves with the online bibliographic databases and other resources available through the library, as these will help the students to locate the widest range of academic reading material for the programme. It is recommended for students to take the time to explore the library web pages and find what is available or to contact librarians for help.

Library of Šiauliai University Library of University of PardubiceAddress: Vytauto st. 84, LT-76352 Šiauliai, Lithuania Phone: +370 41 595 706 E-mail: biblioteka@cr.su.ltWebsite: http://biblioteka.su.lt/en/

Address: Studentska 519, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech RepublicPhone: +420 466 036 543, +420 466 036 535E-mail: knihovna@upce.cz Website: http://www.upce.cz/english/ul/index.html

Library Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Šiauliai UniversityAddress: Architektų st. 1, LT-78366 Šiauliai, Lithuania; Phone: +370 41 595 890 E-mail: vida.s@cr.su.lt

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MASTER’S THESISGeneral Information

Master’s Thesis is a final graduation outcome of studies; preparing it, a Mas-ter’s student must deepen knowledge on regional development and governance gained during Master’s study period focused on Master’s Thesis topic as well as develop skills of regional research, prepare a paper, Master’s Thesis, mee- ting the requirements posed to final graduation papers in Public Administration Master’s study field, and present it to academic community, if needed, to social stakeholders, practitioners.

Preparation Process and General RequirementsIn the first semester, the students choose the research advisor (from the univer-sity they entered) to supervise their Master’s Thesis and also choose a consultant (from the partner university), adjust with them the theme for Master’s Thesis which is approved in that semester by the university the student entered, by the department in charge for implementation of the Programme. Even though in the first year of studies credits for preparation of Mas-ter’s Thesis are not allocated, however, students are encouraged during their stu-dies to be interested in application of study courses in preparation of the Thesis. While studying particular study subjects, a student also collects material for his/her Master’s Thesis, goes deeper into the problem, develops analytical, scientific text writing skills. In the third semester, Master’s students study a course of 6 credits, Master’s Seminar, where they plan and systematise preparation of Master’s The-sis. The fourth semester, encompassing 30 credits, is dedicated to the writing of Master’s Thesis. This semester is finished with defence of Master’s Thesis. At the University of Pardubice, the defence of Master’s Thesis integrates additional theoretical questions proving qualification of the studies. Volume of Master’s Thesis: 4–6 author’s sheets (1 sheet – 40,000 charac-ters, including spaces). Internationality of Master’s Thesis: aiming at as high level of internatio-nality as possible, as well as the level of integration of scientific research of Šiauliai and Pardubice universities, students are encouraged to carry out research both in Lithuania and Czech Republic, as well as to carry out comparative analysis of obtained results, to create an integrated solution of a problem relevant to both countries, to reason the model of collaboration of institutions of both countries.

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Therefore, the university that enrolled a student appoints an academic supervi-sor of Master’s Thesis, whereas the partner university appoints a consultant.

Defence of the Master‘s Thesis

The final assessment of the student competence providing joint master’s degree of public administration is evaluation of the Master’s Thesis and its public de-fence. At the University of Pardubice, defence of Master’s Thesis is integrated into the final exam. When assessing and defending Master’s Thesis the order of the univer-sity, where the student has been enrolled for studying, applies. Assessment of Master’s Thesis is regulated by documents valid in the universities. Qualification Master’s Degree in University of Pardubice is obtained after the examination, which covers defence of Master’s Thesis and assessment of theoretical prepara-tion. With regard to specificity of the joint study programme, additional re-quirements for organisation of assessment of Master’s Thesis (or state examina-tion) are set: - Master’s Thesis is assessed by Joint Defence Board of the university the student entered. At least one representative of partner university has to be a member of the Joint Defence Board. Employer representatives can also be in-vited to be the members of the Joint Defence Board; - Research adviser for Master’s Thesis (one of teachers working in the programme) writes a reference and a mark for the work; an appointed consul-tant (from a partner university, another that the research adviser) writes a refe-rence on the work; - According to the order of faculties, two reviewers are appointed for as-sessment of the Thesis (each from both partner universities), they write reviews and assess by marks; - The final assessment of Master’s Thesis is carried out by the qualifica-tion board of Master’s study programme at the sitting of which the Thesis is be-ing defended/examination is being taken; - Appeals concerning Master’s Thesis proceed in the university where a particular Master’s Thesis is defended, following a set procedure of defence of final graduation theses. The universities acknowledge the results of assessment of Master’s The-sis defence in Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice as equal. Successfully defended Master’s Thesis of the joint study programme and their summaries together with research adviser’s reference and re-

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views are submit ted to Lithuanian ETD IS (base of electronic documents) web site at http://etd.elaba.lt and are stored at ŠU Faculty of Social Scien-ces Archive as well as at PU academic information system IS/STAG http://protal.upce.cz. When submitting papers, agreements between the university as organisation and a student as an owner of intellectual property concerning the possibility to publicise the paper are signed. If the institution requires data protection, Mas-ter’s Thesis can be submitted abridged.

References and Academic Integrity

It is essential that students acknowledge the sources of the information and it is very important to get the referencing right. This is one of the criteria on which students‘ assignments are is assessed. Both universities expects a high standard of technical detail and accuracy, especially for the Master‘s Thesis which is a public document. The purposes of referencing are to: • show that student can locate his/her work in the context of existing thought and writing (commonly referred to as “the literature”). It is never acceptable to say ‘research has shown ...’ and then fail to cite any books, articles or reports; • acknowledge that students have drawn on the arguments and evidence of other writers; • allow the teacher to check the original source of evidence or argument. A complete list of all references contained in essays, project and case study reports, and especially in Master‘s thesis must appear at the end of the as-signment. PLEASE NOTE that student is asked for a reference list not a bibliography. A student should not include publications which he/she has looked at but not actu-ally referred to in the text.Passages quoted or closely paraphrased from other authors must be identified as quotations or paraphrases, and the sources of the quoted or paraphrased ma-

terial must be acknow-ledged. Use of unacknowledged sources may be construed as plagiarism. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s text, pub-lished in a paper or electronic form, without detailed reference to the source or with reference, when the volume and the character of other person’s text raise doubts about inde-

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pendence of student’s paper, piece or art or one/several constituent part/s of it. Academic honesty and intellectual integrity are fundamental to the process of learning and to evaluating academic performance. This is the responsibi lity of all members of the university, and students share the responsibility for creating and maintaining an atmosphere of honesty and integrity. Students are expected to abide by the code of academic integrity throughout the studies. PLEASE NOTE that any issue of academic dishonesty, plagiarism or chea-ting is extremely serious and may constitute a breach of the Study Regulations of Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice, which are binding to the students. Any confirmed incidents will be referred to the appropriate university administra-tor for the additional disciplinary action (e.g. student may not be permitted to re-take the exam, the course might be repeated), including the possibility of dismissal from the university.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATIONSupport for Foreign Students

Support for foreign students to adapt to different cultural and social environ-ments is provided by Department of International Programmes and Relations at Šiauliai University and by International Mobility Centre at University of Par-dubice, Programme Coordinators at both universities, teaching staff of the Pro-gramme. The Programme Coordinator collaborating with specialists of the subdi-visions mentioned and students’ organisations provides full information, helps to solve organisational issued regarding selection of accommodation, arrange-ment of the study process, elective courses of the Programme. At both universities, the system of students-mentors (“buddy system”) operates. At the universities, students’ organisation AIESEC is active; one of its aims is to help create an international learning environment. Students of the joint study programme may participate in students’ self-governance organisations of both universities (activities of PU Students’ Council SRPUa, ŠU Students’ Representation ŠUSA), also in activities of other students’ academic, cultural, sports organisations, to use sports bases, to organise and at-tend cultural events.

Disabled-Friendly Environment

Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice have a commitment to encou-rage disabled students to study at the University and to respond to their needs,

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both academic and social. Both universities aim to ensure that participation in all aspects of University life is full and successful for all students. Both universities have disabled-friendly environment (elevators, ramps, etc.), which ensures easy access to the main buildings, library and classrooms for persons with disabilities.

Official Language Lithuanian is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union since 2004. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they are not mutually intelligible. It is believed to be the most conservative living Indo-European Language, so it is not easy to learn Lithuanian. Czech is a West Slavic language spoken by over 10 million people. It is an official language in the Czech Republic. Czech word order is very flexible, and words may be moved around freely to change emphasis or form questions. Through being the official language of the Czech Republic, a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004, Czech is one of the EU's official languages. In order to make students’ life easier in Lithuania and Czech Re-public both Universities provide opportunities to learn the official languages of the countries, by suggesting additional courses.

Useful Phrases

English Lithuanian CzechHello Sveiki Dobrý denHow are you? Kaip sekasi? Jak se máte?Fine, thank you Ačiū, puikiai Dobře, děkujiWhat is your name? Koks tavo vardas? Jak se jmenuješ?My name is _____/ Mano vardas _____ Jmenuji se ______Nice to meet you Malonu susipažinti Těší měI miss you Aš pasiilgau tavęs Chybíš miPlease Prašau ProsímThank you Dėkui DěkujiGoodbye Viso gero Na shledanouDo you speak English? Ar kalbate angliškai? Mluvíte anglicky?Help! Padėkite! Pomoc!I don’t understand Nesuprantu NerozumímCheers! Į sveikatą! Na zdraví!

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Student’s Card

Students of the programme are recommended to purchase the international student’s identification card (ISIC). The issued card licences the right to use academic information data bases at Šiauliai University (AIS) and University of Pardubice (STAG), services of university libraries, also provides discounts for transportation and other spheres set for students.

AccommodationThere is possibility to get the place in the dormitories of Šiauliai University and University of Pardubice according to the procedure confirmed in each univer-sity. Šiauliai University students’ dormitory is situated in the centre of Šiauliai. All rooms are double – two students share one room. Two rooms share a toilet and a sink. In the room a student will find: a closet, a desk, a chair, a bed, a reading lamp, blankets, linen and towels, dishware and cooking utensils. Each floor has a common kitchen with a stove, a sink, an oven, a fridge. Halls of Residence of the University of Pardubice consists of 9 buildings, 7 of them are within the main University campus. All the buildings offers TV rooms, elevators, bunch of stairs etc. For more information about the accommodation in students’ dormito-ries see universities websites: www.su.lt/en/ , www.upce.cz/english/ PLEASE NOTICE: it is very important to arrange an accommodation be-fore the arrival to Lithuania or Czech Republic. Beginning of each semester is quit busy time and students’ dormitory will filled in quickly. Thus it is important to contact the Programme’s coordinator in advance.

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Public Policy and Governance ( 6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of this course is to enable students to understand

and be able to analyze public policy and governance theories, to evaluate subjects of public policy and governance and their inter-action, to analyze context of governance and public policy.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • be able to identify governance as a interaction process of the different social and political actors; understand the principles of modern public policy and its implementation instruments; un-derstand the tools, strategies and instruments of governance and public policies;• be able to analyze and compare the governance concepts, sub-jects and their interactions; compare and analyze, critically evalu-ate theories of public policy and public policy processes; identify and evaluate advantages and disadvantages of different models of public policy; self-identify, analyze and evaluate government methods: self-government (deregulation, self-regulation, local government) and hierarchical government; analyze interactions and change of society, governance and governability;• be able to apply governance and public policy knowledge by ma-king public governance analysis and evaluation;• acquire abilities of systematic and critical thinking; will be able to present results of their work in creative way; use specific re-search methods for specific problem; analyze and interpret di-verse information.

Contents: During the course students will analyze and compare the gover-nance concepts, subjects and their interactions; critically evaluate theories of public policy and public policy processes, will identify and evaluate advantages and disadvantages of different models of public policy. Students will analyze current examples of pub-lic policy implementation in a particular region (country or its part, EU, or in common multiregional structure) and will make the case study on particular policy.

Previous studies:

Politics Structure and Development, Public Policy Development and Analysis.

Teaching / learning methods:

Readings, discussion in class, group work, self-assessment, mind-mapping, test, presentation, case study.

Annex No. 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

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Regional Economics (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to explore how economic activi-

ty is distributed across region and investigates the implications of including spatial aspects in economic analysis. Students will obtain detailed knowledge on the economic, social, political and legal context of regional development and its interaction with the object of public administration.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • acquire knowledge about the regional economics, classical and modern theories of regions, acquire knowledge about models of sustainable development of regions, different methods of eco-nomical analysis and mathematical statistics, applied for determi-nation of the state of an enterprise and organization in the context of the analysed region;• understand the position of regional economics in the system of science, relations with other sciences, elucidate classical and modern theories of regions which will enable to understand di-fferences of development of regional economics, features of clas-sification of regions, know ways and means of regional economics stimulation enabling to perform analysis of a region;• be able to evaluate regional unevenness and factors influencing it, to think critically, analyse and evaluate reasons of the growth and development of regions and factors influencing them, to con-structively and creatively evaluate aims and objectives of national economical development of regions, to calculate and analyse not only quantitative, but also qualitative indexes;• be able to work independently and as the team members, criti-cally evaluate the situation and defend their opinion, while using mathematical statistics and economical analysis, present the pre-pared research results to stakeholders and others.

Contents: The course provides to students knowledge about the regional economics in the system of science and classical and modern theories of regions, the factors that affect their performance, the causes and consequences of regional disparities and the policies that can be devised in order to eliminate spatial inequality. In this course students will seek to find the answer to this question with the deeper understand about how and why regional and local economies perform differently from the national economy and

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what challenges are set for local, regional and national governmen-tal institutions and other economic development professionals.

Previous studies:

Macroeconomics, The Systems of State Governance and Adminis-tration, Public Policy Development and Analysis.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, literature analysis, discussion, group work, in-dividual project, team project.

Theories of Regional Development (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to reveal theoretical approaches in

regional development and to understand historical evolution of contemporary regional policy and be able to explain and forecast its effect on the EU and state level.

Learning out-comes:

At the end of the course student will:• understand different attitudes to the regional development in different countries through last hundred years;• be able professionally inform and consult persons taking part in processes of regional development about the results of specific regional policies;• be able to analyse national and European tools of regional de-velopment and adapt them for balancing regional development policy and public sector strategic management;• be able to present roots of tools for regional development used by EU and by regional governments nowadays and in history as well;• be able to adjust to constantly changing situations of professional performance as well as content of performance, will have abilities of analytical, systemic, critical and creative thinking, will be able to solve problems and work in group, to choose a direction for self-perfection and to further independently develop oneself.

Content: The course will introduce thought that led to the regional policies in history, will summarize impacts of policies to regions and to people living in regions and localities. The course begins by the introduction to the world and European history in the context of the regional development and main methodological trends in the scientific research. Then the scientific background and practical impact of the policies to everyday social and economic life of re-gions are presented. Course is also focused on the main economi-

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cal stream in the period, the policies based on theories and prac-tical impacts to regions.As an example there will be used situa-tions in the European and South American countries. The modern theories and politics are presented on the example of EU-attitudes to the regional development. Finally, the course emphasizes the changes in attitudes to regional policies as a science – enriching original economic attitudes by geographic and social aspects; de-veloping from the common “big theories” to modern attitudes of regional “possible ways” or local “potential development”.

Previous studies:

There are no previous studies required.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, discussion, small group tutorials, case analysis (analytical research paper), colloquium, literature reviewing and presentation.

European Union Law (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to understand the

basic institutes of EU law, to apply them in practice, to search for relevant EU law regulations and directives and to analyse cases of the European Court of Justice.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• understand and be able to asses actual situation of the European Union law integration and explain basic institutes of the EU law, to understand the interactions between EU law and national laws;• will be able to use properly basic terms of the European eco-nomic and administrative legislation;• will be able to read correctly practices of the European Court of Justice and understand the gist of them;• be able to independently search and use EU law regulations;• be able to solve real legal problems related to claiming the free-doms of free movement of goods, people, services and capital.

Content: The students will get oriented in the differences of EU law from what they are used to from their own countries, their institutions and legal systems. Once the students get acquainted with these general divergences, they will proceed in studying deeper some of the special legal issues, such as movement of goods, competi-tion, consumer law and administrative law. The course consists of

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such topics: sources and system characteristics of the European Union law, institutional law of the EU, basic rights and citizen-ship of the EU, enforcing EU law rights in national courts, judi-cature of the European Court of Justice, preliminary references, right of free movement of goods, services, persons, and capital, EU competition law, legal aspects of consumer protection, area of freedom, internal security and administration of justice, EU administrative space.

Previous studies:

The Basics of the Law, the Basics of Public Administration Orga-nizations Theory, Administrative Law and Process.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, seminar, discussion, case study, literature re-view, essay, oral presentations.

Economics of Public Sector (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The aim of the course is to acquaint students with basic issues

and problems of public economics and economy and to create theoretical base for further follow-up disciplines, especially pub-lic finance and economics of public sector.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• be able to analyse the ways how to produce the public goods and services, understand of the efficiency problems and be able to evaluate it;• be able to define the public economics, public economy and public sector, key economic subjects, economy and social inter-actions;• understand and be able to analyse the historical facts (best prac-tices) connected with aims of public policies applied by govern-ment;• understand the public choice applications in public sector, be able to analyse the efficiency problems, apply the theoretical facts in practice and offer the effective solutions.

Content: The course provides to students good insight into the issues of the public sector functioning; explains the reason for public sector existence; shows the practical ways how to increase the effective ness and many others principle. First, based on the patterns re-

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sulting from microeconomics, the fundamental functions of the state in the economy are searched and furthermore these func-tions are described and analysed in detail. Then, the effectiveness of the public sector functioning in the economy and society is the basic prism. The fundamental topic includes welfare state and economical fundaments of every modern state. The second topic analyses public goods and services providing. The third part fo-cuses on the public choice. All topics are analysed from efficiency point of view and efficiency improvement seeking.

Previous studies:

Microeconomics, Public Policy and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Scientific paper analysis, case study, small group tutorials, discus-sion, project, interactive lecture, concept mapping, literature re-view, colloquium, individual works and presentations.

Space Economy (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the knowledge

on the economic spatial relations and systems, in which the eco-nomic components are of special importance, explaining basic methods and procedures of spatial economic analysis that forms necessary condition for authentic rational decisions of economi-cally oriented actors and stakeholders.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to:• concentrate, sort out and process data and information on te-rritories by way of analysis of socioeconomic development of re-gions and assess regional differentiation of applied policy;• identify and modify the factors responsible for the spatial ar-rangement of national and international economic systems;• comprehend and apply basic principles and instruments of re-gional policy in national and international scopes;• see their way in the field of localization procedures and their harmonization with social and environmental demands of local and regional development;• manage raising and utilization of public finance available for implementation of regional and local objectives and functions of regional public administration.

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Content: The course conveys the knowledge concerning economic rela-tions and processes in the scope of regions and localities of diffe-rent dimensions. The course content covers the following topics: makings and functions of regional economics, regional eco-nomic theories, demand and supply in spatial analysis, regional economic structure, economic base of regions and urban settle-ments, regional growth, “input - output” analysis, concept of local economic development, economic aspects of localization, theories of localization, theory of spatial organization, growth poles, diffusion effects, migration as economic factor, migration multiplier, regional policy.

Previous studies:

Macroeconomics, Social Research Methodology,

Teaching / learning methods:

Lecture, discussion, literature review, colloquium, individual works and presentations.

Geographic Information Systems and Regional Economic Development (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The aim of the course is to acquaint students with basic issues and

principles of geographic information systems, especially princi-ples of spatial modelling, basic data models and spatial analyses to be able to understand the benefits and abilities of GIS and to be able to use them as a decision support system.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to:• identify the key component parts of a geographic information system;• analyze nature of features and phenomena and to identify and create a suitable data model (vector data model, raster data mo-del, or digital terrain model) for GIS;• choose and apply appropriate spatial analyses methods to solved tasks (according to nature of a solved task and expected results);• professionally propose the whole procedure of spatially-orien-ted problem solving by means of GIS, i.e. from identification of tasks to be solved to presentation of results;• propose an appropriate structure of data layers according to na-ture of a solved task and expected results. Conceptual models will be used as supporting models.

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Content: The course provides to students good insight into the issues of the geoinformation technologies with a particular focus on geo-graphic information systems (GIS) and maps design. It explains the main principles of GIS, including used data. Some attention is paid to other popular geoinformation technologies, like GPS or remote sensing. The course is based on theoretical and case studies, analyses of available spatial data and projects solving selected spatially-oriented problems. After completing conceptual issues of geo-graphic information systems, students analyse nature of objects and phenomena and model them by means of suitable data models. They identify nature of solved spatially-oriented task, choose and apply appropriate spatial analyses methods. Next, they prepare cartographic outputs to present results and solu-tions. Finally students provide the presentation of analytical re-search paper (project) and theoretical discussion.

Previous studies:

There are no previous studies required.

Teaching / learning methods:

Frontal and interactive lectures, work / discussion in pairs or groups, scientific papers analysis, case study, discussion, semi-nars in PC laboratory, literature review colloquium, individual works and presentations.

Management of Public Sector (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 1st yearAim: The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the knowledge

of application of public sector management with the accent put on strategic management of regional development.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• be able to characterize new approaches and methods to Public Sector Management, to identify, analyse and solve typical mana-gerial problems of public administration authorities;• be able to creatively apply the modern approaches, methods and tools to Public Sector Management in practice;• be able to identify key features of innovations and quality in Public Sector and apply this knowledge in practice;• be able to identify and assess major strategic performance ma-nagement opportunities and risks;

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• be able to professionally inform and consult persons taking part in processes of regional management;• acquire abilities of analytical, systemic, critical and creative thinking, be able to work in group, independently plan the lear-ning process, to choose a direction for self-perfection and to fur-ther independently develop oneself (to learn).

Content: The course links a comprehension of the key issues in the day to day management of public sector organizations with an un-derstanding of strategic development within the public adminis-tration. First, the context of public sector management is defined and the differences between public and private sector manage-ment are explained. Then, new approaches, methods and effec-tive tools of management in public sector are characterized and subsequently analyzed their application. Special attention is paid to the strategic management of regional development, because it is currently one of the most considerable priorities of public sec-tor management. Within this context performance management, quality and innovations in public sector are introduced. These topics are discussed by the help of challenging theory exercises and contemporary public sector management case studies.

Previous studies:

Management, Strategic Management in Public Administration.

Teaching / learning methods:

Case study, small group tutorials, discussion, team project, prob-lem-solving sessions, literature analysis, interactive lecture, col-loquium, individual works and presentations.

Methodology of Regional Research (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The course aims to encourage identification of scientific cognitive

problems arising in the environment of regional development and governance, modelling and implementing of research strategies corresponding to a particular problem, analysis and assessment of regional research and reports on programmes under imple-mentation, formation of independent work abilities and erudi-tion, systematic view to the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and their place in the field of regional development and governance research.

Learning At the end of the course student:

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outcomes: • will notice theoretical problems of cognition in the field of re-gional development and governance; • will be able to identify of theoretical and practical problems in the regional socioeconomical policy and their implementation, to conceptualise them formulating problem questions and hypo-theses; • will be able to model research strategy, creates research design and professionally perform empirical research; • on the ground of research data, will be able to apply data analy-sis methodology and data analysis software both for quantitative, both for qualitative or mixed-methods research; • optimally, but in informative sense will be able to present re-search results, theoretically interpret them, formulating research conclusions and recommendations for improving processes in regional development and governance;• will be able to apply knowledge and abilities of regional research methodology when professionally analyse and evaluate reports on regional area research, implemented programs and their re-ports, reports of applied research, presented in professional and scientific literature, discussing on both general issues of scientific cognition both particular regional development and governance research cases, showing critical view on research methodology and results analysis;• will know typological diversity of research, research strategies, specificity of research methods and forms of their combination regarding specificity of the regional development and governance and are able to apply correctly these strategies and instruments in practice;• will be able to recognise and follow ethics principles when car-rying out research, seeks for objectivity, reliability, validity of re-search results. • will develop abilities of systemic thinking, problems solving, analytical and research abilities; abilities in interactive work (us-ing Moodle system), communication, research results presenta-tion, cooperation, information management;• will be able to discuss with profesional auditory about regional research methodology issues;• will be able independently to plan, organise and coordinate in-dividual and group researches when solving problems of regional development and governance.

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Contents: The course will introduce students to the theoretical and practi-cal foundations of empirical social science research, to the re-search tools of modern social sciences, to help students evaluate and develop research in regions development and governance field. The course presents the scientific methods, the complexi-ties of applying methods to social research, ethics and bias, re-search design. Students will have opportunities to answer to the questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of different re-search methods in regional development and governance field? What do quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method researches means? How to construct research design? How to conduct re-search? What is standard deviation? What does the term statisti-cally significance mean? The course will cover approaches that derive from alternative theoretical and methodological perspec-tives.

Previous studies:

Public Policy and Governance, Regional Development Theories.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, scientific literature analysis, case study, indi-vidual work, case discussions (Virtual Forums), discussion.

Sustainable Regional Development and Management of Programmes (6 ECTS )Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The aim of the course is to enable students to evaluate Regional

economic, social, environmental sustainability and elaborate Re-gional development programmes.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to: • identify the key dimensions of sustainable development and link them with the actions of strategic regional development planning and management;• analyze and identify the level of regional coherence and to de-velop and evaluate regional programmes;• will be able to analyze national and regional indicators of so-cial, economic environmental sustainability and adapt them for balancing regional development policy and strategic manage-ment;• apply sustainable development measurement and evaluation

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models and carry out an integrated sustainable development index calculation;• professionally inform and consult persons taking part in pro-cesses of regional development;• adjust to constantly changing situations of professional perfor-mance as well as content of performance, has abilities of analytical, systemic, critical and creative thinking, is able to solve problems and work in group, to independently plan the learning process, to choose a direction for self-perfection and to further indepen-dently develop oneself (to learn).

Contents: The course is based on theoretical and case studies, analysis of sustainability indicators and regional strategic planning mea-sures of EU regions. After completing conceptual framework of Sustainability, Conceptions of Regional Sustainable development, students analyse Indicators of economic, social and environment Sustainability of Regions and familiarises with Strategic Manage-ment as a tool for Sustainable development of Regions. Seminars and individual work are designed for preparing analytical paper on chosen EU region development. Analytical work is based on the case studies of sustainability indicators and measures of strategic planning of chosen EU region and introduction prepositions for regional development. Finally students provide the presentation of analytical research paper (project) and theoretical discussion.

Previous studies:

Theories of Regional Development, Public Policy and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Discussion in class, interactive lecture, case study, concept map, reviews of literature, project, analysis of scientific articles, small group tutorials, presentation.

Social Policy (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to acquire knowledge of the theo-

ries of social policy, its history and nature and its relationship to other segments of public policy (e. g. economic policy). Students will understand the principles of social policy; acquire general in-formation on operating of national social policies, solve problems by themselves, understand what is contrary to the existence social policies and what challenges those meet.

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Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• know how is possible to plan social policy on regional level in the context of need of people (users of social services);• will be able to prepare and explain a simple social model to practical examples;• be able to identify the key dimensions of social policy and link them with the public administration in the regional context;• be able to structure and evaluate most common social problems;• be able to professionally inform other people about their ideas, solve problems and develop their verbal skills.

Content: In this course, students will become familiar with key of social policy issues that are also socially discussed topics such as the problems of poverty, social exclusion, aging population, qua-lity of life, life style (method) of specific groups, etc. At the same time, students will gain knowledge about social services, social services planning, the importance of non-governmental organi-zations, and the role of public administration in the whole pro-cess of planning social policy. Beyond the recommended study of literature, students will be acquainted and they will be recom-mended the works of prominent literary authors (e.g., E. Fromm, A. Giddens, Z. Bauman, G. Orwell, etc.) and films related to so-cial issues. Students draw up a project that will be presented at the colloquium. In addition, students will present their views on the selected problem and the subject will be end with the final exam.

Previous studies:

Public Policy and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Formal and interactive lectures, discussion, literature review, group work, course project, colloquium, oral presentation.

Budget and Finances of Public Sector (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to evaluate situ-

ation and trends in public finance, public indebtedness and im-pacts of public budgets on national economy.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to:• analyse the situation in public finance in various theoretical points of view;

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• analyse national indicators of extension and size of public fi-nance, identify and assess the basic financial resources of public budgets;• identify the basic areas of public expenditures and evaluate their impacts on national economy;• perceive the present problems of public finance of the European Union and its member states and evaluate the impacts on Euro-pean and national economy.

Content: This course is based not only on the fundamental theoretical approaches to conception of public sector and usage of public sources for support and development of public sector, but also national economy as the whole. The course introduces various theories and theoretical approaches to the public finance, mo-dern approaches to budgeting, introduces problems of fiscal sus-tainability and macroeconomics relationships of public finance. The theoretical background of this issue is supplemented by case studies and data describing the real life cases and practical issues of public finance in national economies (especially in member states of the European Union). Seminars and individual works are focused on the analysis of state and extent of public finance of chosen national economies and interpretation of data analysis. Further the seminars and individual works are focused on the analysis of activities of the European Union in the field of public finance and evaluation of impacts of these activities on econo-mies of member states and also economic situation of the Euro-pean Union as the whole.

Previous studies:

Macroeconomics, Pubic Policy and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lectures, discussion, literature review, project (analyti-cal research paper), individual work and presentation.

Migration and Regional Development (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is o enable students evaluate the mi-

gration process based on the theories of migration, migration policies and migration effects on individuals, regions and coun-tries.

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Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to: • reveal the characteristics of the migration process based on mi-gration theories;• identify the causes of migration;• identify the consequences of migration on individual, regional and national level;• evaluate the migration policies and provided recommendations for management of the migration consequences;• select appropriate scientific sources, empirical data and analysis methods to summarize research results and presenting findings.• work in groups, analyzing the tasks and problem situations.

Contents: The course will introduce students to the process of migration and its causes, will enable students to evaluate the consequences of the migration on the individual, regional and national level, as well as to analyze used migration regulatory policy measures and provide suggestions for improving them. The case, scientific literature and the normative documents study, workshop, discu-ssion methods are used during the course.

Previous studies:

Macroeconomics, Regional economy, Social policy.

Teaching / learning methods:

Discussion in class, literature reviewing, presentation, test, case study.

Social Inequalities and Welfare State (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to the various

issues concerning the forms, origins and structure of social in-equalities in contemporary societies, and to analyze the intended and unintended ways in which welfare states affect these social inequalities.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• know and perceive the concepts of welfare state and social in-equality;• be able to discuss and compare the relevant forms and dimen-sions of social inequality and welfare, critically assess the types and regimes of welfare state, functionalist and conflict perspec-tives on social inequality;

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• understand the relationship between social inequality and the welfare state;• be able to analyse the development of different types of inequa-lity and welfare state in contemporary societies, identify so-ciological, economic and political factors, responsible for their emergence, and effects to alleviate consequences of inequality as well as the effects of welfare states diversity;• be able to demonstrate their analytic, systemic, critical and cre-ative thinking, work in group and independently plan the lear-ning process;• be able to develop scholarly-professional discussion, clearly and argue render generalised information, to assume responsibility for quality of own and team members’ performance and its as-sessment.

Content: The course begins from introduction of social inequality and wel-fare state concepts, analysing the explanations for the existence and persistence of social inequalities and welfare state, dimen-sions and different types of social inequality, functions of welfare state. In the second part of the course students move to the ques-tion to what extent different types of social, economic and other types of inequality (e.g. gender, race, age, class, etc.) have been regulated by different welfare states’ regimes. Finally the relation-ship between welfare states and social inequality is analysed, dis-covering to what extent the welfare states indeed reduce social inequalities and how countries vary in the extent to which they do so and does this capacity change over time. Students, working on individual and group assignments, analyse particular cases and participate in discussions, develop their abilities to compare and critically assess different types and development of social inequality and welfare state, identify factors, which influenced their emergence and policy tools to minimize social inequalities.

Previous studies:

Public Policy and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, literature analysis, concept mapping, case analysis, discussion, group work, small group tutorials, essay, test, oral presentation, reflection on action.

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Environmental Economy and Governance (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to acquaint the students with eco-

nomic, social and environmental knowledge for understanding rules for grasp the position of human in the nature and their connection to the environment.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will:• be able to structure and evaluate most common environmental problems on the public administration and private sector;• be able to prepare calculations in field of relationship of envi-ronmental and economic efficiency;• be able to prepare and explain simple environmental related models;• understand the environmental and economic relationship by sustainable energy using.

Content: In this course students will learn about basic environmental management framework conditions, with problems of its appli-cation in the field of public administration and with some im-portant tools used by environmental management. In addition, students will learn why it is professionally staged environmental management so important for the public administration. Theo-retical perspectives on the behaviour of direct connections and fed-backs in the system of environment, population, and econo-my, instruments of environmental policy, economical solutions, and internalization of external costs in environmental protection are presented during the course. The course focuses on relations nature-economic activity, concept of environment as scare and public good, external effects and possibilities of their internali-zation, structure of environmental policy instruments and prin-ciples of their functioning, direct (administrative) and indirect instruments and legal regulations of environmental protection in the EU, negotiable emission permits, bargaining techniques, possibilities of regional environmental damage valuing, etc.

Previous studies:

Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Public Administration.

Teaching / learning methods:

Formal lecture, group work, discussion, oral presentation, course project.

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Security Policy and Protection of Society (6 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 1st yearAim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to evaluate state

security policies, security of regions, security and protection of population and level of crisis management in organizations.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able:• to identify the key actors of international security environment and the elements of critical infrastructure,• professionally consult people who are involved in processes of regional security on security issues,• to analyze national and regional indicators of security in the field of protection of population and protection of society,• to apply evaluation models of security and carry out an inte-grated security index calculation,• to apply the principles of crisis management and principles of communication in crises, and will be able to use this knowledge to draft emergency management systems,• to use the expertise knowledge independently to identify and creatively solve theoretical and practical problems in the field of crisis management, protection of society and populations, with an emphasis on the role of public authorities and their special-ized units,• to solve complex problem of ensuring the security and protec-tion of the region’s population independently and creatively, us-ing selected theories, concepts and methods.

Content: The course provides knowledge that will help graduates to get an overview at the field of security studies, crisis management and risk management. Graduates of the course will not only get an expertise in this area but the emphasis will also be put on acquiring analytical skills in creating security studies. The course is based on theoretical knowledge and projects, analysis of security indicators of chosen EU regions. Students familiar-ises with actors of international security environment and goals of protection of society and protection of population. Seminars and individual work are designed for preparing analytical paper on chosen EU region security. Analytical work is based on the security indicators research paper of chosen EU region. Finally students provide the presentation of analytical research paper (project) and theoretical discussion.

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Previous studies:

There are no previous studies required.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, discussion, literature review, scientific paper analysis, oral presentation, small group tutorials.

Regionalism and Multilevel Governance (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd year Aim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to analyze mul-

tilevel governance and to explore the role of the regions in inter-actions with the European Union.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to:• analyse the concept of multilevel governance, theories of re-gionalism the emergence of sub-national and supra-national actors in Europe, globalization and its influence on European policy-making process;• identify the influence of EU policy to the reforms of sub-na-tional level, analyse processes of decentralization and evaluate regional and local interest representation in the EU;• to inform and consult persons taking part in processes of re-gional policy;• to find a creative way to present results of their work, to ana-lyse and interpret diverse information, to work in groups, ana-lysing the tasks and problem situations.

Content: The course covers the EU, national, regional and local level of governance from a multi-level perspective. Students will attain theoretical background of government, its classification and re-sponsibilities among municipal, provincial and regional gover-nments and theories of regionalism. The course highlights the different mechanisms which facilitate the exercise of regional competences in a multilevel framework. The course extends knowledge of governance in multi-level perspective as it is ap-plied in the European Union. Regional development is com-prised in the EU cohesion policy, application of its principles and funding from the EU Structural funds. By the end of this course, students can describe the emergence of sub-national and supra-national actors in the European policy-making pro-cess, explain major topics concerning Europe and its regions,

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identify influence of EU policy to the reforms of sub national level and to analyse process of decentralization.

Previous studies:

European Economy Policy / European Integration, Principles of Self-Government and administering of municipalities.

Teaching / learning methods:

Formal lecture, practical exercises (tasks), discussion, seminar, individual work, analytical course paper.

Modelling of Regional Micro and Macro Processes (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd year

Aim: The course is designed to offer interdisciplinary education for providing students with the theoretical and practical regional micro and macro processes knowledge while applying innova-tive modelling methods, to strategically estimate public sector resources aiming at dynamics of set objectives in the context of regional dynamics.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • be able to implement changes and innovations in practical performance of public administration when solving problems of regional governance, having assessed economic, political and social realia from a systemic point of view;• know and understand the main indexes which exhibits the correct management of regional processes, know and perceive the interrelations of economical sectors, generating the ideas and tools of achieving the highest efficiency of them;• have detailed knowledge of managerial models of organisa-tional and individual performance, will be able to assess major performance management opportunities and risk, to strategi-cally estimate public sector resources aiming at dynamics of set objectives in the context of regional dynamics;• be able to professionally inform and consult persons taking part in processes of regional development, to flexibly and crea-tively collaborate with citizens or groups of them, to find and plan possibilities to involve experts and non-governmental or-ganisations when aiming at regional progress;• be able to model the regional processes while suggesting the

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practical solutions and applying statistical methods, to take go-vernmental, corporation and household strategic and operatio-nal decisions and motivate their importance for regional system while combining the independent and team work.

Contents: The course provides to students a systematic understanding of the regional processes which can influence sustainable regional development and relate regional management policies and plan-ning strategies. The highest attention is taken for development of decision making skills through government, corporation and household strategic and operational free-risk decisions while applying simulation model OECOWI. System training arises especially with the numerous interactions within and between the various action groups. The course is based on many-layered simulation model/s with a realistic scenario.

Previous studies:

Regional Economy, Methodology of Regional Research.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, literature analysis, group work, modeling of real-life (world) situations (projects), small group tutorials, dis-cussion, one-to-one tutorials, practical exercises (tasks).

E-Governance and Democracy (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd yearAim: The aim of the course is to obtain a systemic perception on main

conceptions, models and dimensions of democracy and demo-cratic governance in the context of digital society, to develop the ability to understand, analyze and assess the principles and mechanisms of democratic electronic governance policy, imple-mentation and initiatives in different European regions, as well as to improve skills and digital competences needed in represen-ting society interests at different levels of formation and imple-mentation regional development policy.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • know and perceive main conceptions, models and dimen-sions of democracy and e-governance in regional development context, principles of formation and implementation of e-go-vernance policy in various contexts (global and local); know and understand modifications of e-governance paradigms and

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development principles in relation to democratic changes in the public governance system inseparable from implementation of modern instruments of public sector governance; • be able to analyse and assess the principles of interaction of a digital system, a political system and governance, obtaining understanding of the impact of the digital revolution on demo-cratic processes in regions; are able to analyse, assess and model situations of democratic governance using in their performance possibilities provided by information communication technolo-gies;• know and perceive relations of e-governance and development of participatory democracy, manifestations of good governance; know digital means and methods of activation / involvement of citizens and different their groups; are able to identify problems of democratic e-governance development, of citizens participa-tion in decision making processes issues, generating hypothetic ideas and mechanisms to solve them;• be able to analyse, assess and model situations of democratic governance using in their performance possibilities provided by information communication technologies; understand solutions of e-governance and their impact on development of the society; are able to argue the decisions made, to follow principles of ethi-cal activities and to combine independent and team work;• think systemic, solve problems, will gain analytical and research abilities; will be able to use interactive (virtual forum, open code program Moodle) instruments, will gain communicative and presenting, collaborative, information management abilities;• be able to apply principles of democratic e-governance at the level of public administration organisations, analysing and pro-jecting practical situations, presenting possible variants of solu-tions to the specialists and other managers, professionally con-sult them.

Contents: The course is based on analysis of interaction of digital system, political system and governance, obtaining understanding of the impact of the digital revolution on democratic process in the re-gions. In the context of the course, completing individual work, case studies and participating in case discussions, students iden-tify problems of democratic e-governance development, gener-ating hypothetic ideas and mechanisms to solve them, analyse, assess and model situations of democratic governance using ICT

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as at the level of public administration organisations, as well as at the national or regional levels of governance.

Previous studies:

Public Policy and Governance.

Teaching / Learning methods:

Interactive lecture, discussion, case study, scientific literature analysis, scientific paper analysis, case discussions, work in groups, presentation.

Partnership of the Public and the Private Sectors for Regional Innova-tions (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd yearAim: The main aim of the course is to enable students to identify

strengths and weaknesses of targeted policies, generated in public and private sectors, regional innovation systems’ qualitative and quantitative development opportunities, based on knowledge and innovation, and to render suggestions for the improvement of public and private sectors’ innovation performance.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will be able to:• identify links between the aspects of public-private partnership conception and knowledge economy requirements for regions and their development;• identify and analyze determinants of specificity of innovative performance’s organizing at the regional or local level, and to re-cognize specifics of the innovation process, features of planning and management, seeking for the region’s development;• identify a partnership as the innovation system, based on secto-rial and institutional networking and clustering, and to provide trends for a public-private partnership development, based on processes of sustainable development and research development;• adjust to constantly changing situations of professional perfor-mance as well as content of performance, will acquire abilities of analytical, systemic, critical and creative thinking, will be able to solve problems and work in groups.

Content: During the studies of the course students analyze innova-tion policy aspects and link them with regional development through innovativeness, strategies, openness and absorption, trying to identify opportunities to enable public-private partner-ship for promoting the sustainability and learning environment

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in the region. Students prepare the group work, where they are analyzing the case of selected region and/or regional innova-tion, trying to identify possibilities for specific regional inno-vation implementation, using the instrument of public-private partnership. This work lets for students to analyze specific case, to share knowledge, to look for common decisions, to plan and implement the presentation of results. The course helps students not only to be aware of the theory of public-private partnership but also allow familiarizing to practical examples of this part-nership, and simulating a creative and innovative way of the re-gional problems decision-making.

Previous studies:

Theories of Regional Development, Sustainable Regional Devel-opment and Management of Regional Programmes.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, literature analysis, discussion, group work, one-to-one and small group tutorials, non-traditional task, col-loquium.

NGO and Civic Society (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd yearAim: The main aim of the course is to obtain a systemic perception

on main role of NGO in strengthening Civil society, civil par-ticipation forms and methods, to develop the ability to analyze and evaluate NGO role in civil society, forms of collaboration between NGO and public institutions at local and regional level, to identify structures and models of NGO governance, as well as to improve skills and competences needed in practical NGO activities organization and promotion of civic initiates.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • know and understand the main theoretical perspectives of NGO and civil society, forms of collaboration between NGO and public institutions at national local and regional levels; will know and understand the changes of NGO and civil society in the context of Public governance transformations;• be able to identify key components of NGOs’ organisational structure and management and, in light of these, apply a range of tools and approaches to the development of NGO structure, and develop strategies to enhance NGO effectiveness in service delivery;

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• be able to analyze, evaluate and model forms of collabora-tion/partnerships between NGO and public institutions, will understand organized civil society and NGO participation importance in creating social changes and their influence to meeting the needs of civics and as well will be able to argue the decisions made, to follow principles of ethical activities and to combine independent and team work;• develop abilities of systemic thinking, solution of problems, analytical and research abilities; ability to improve communi-cative and presenting, collaborative, information management abilities needed in practical NGO activities organization and promotion of civic initiates.

Contents: The course starts with a brief discussion on democracy and democratization, continuing with an elaboration of various aspects of civil society and overview of civil society’s poten-tial democracy, and concludes with the conceptualization of the non-governmental sector and its relationship to civil so-ciety and democracy. Students will explore the implications of concepts of deepening democracy for the concept of citizen-ship, and the strategies of citizen engagement and mobiliza-tion. Seminars and individual work are designed for preparing analytic research project on forms of collaboration/partner-ships between NGO and public institutions for creating social changes in society. Individual work is based on case analysis of chosen NGO management structure, where the students iden-tify key components of NGOs’ organizational structure and management and, in light of these, apply a range of tools and approaches to the development of NGO structure, and develop strategies to enhance NGO effectiveness in service delivery.

Previous studies:

Public Policy and Governance, E-governance and democracy.

Teaching / learning methods:

Interactive lecture, discussion, literature analysis, case analy-sis, scientific paper analysis, team work, presentation, virtual forum.

Transparency, Openness and Anti-Corruption (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd year

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Aim: The main aim of this course is studying the evidenced forms of administrative corruption in the context of public governance, to reveal the theoretical concept of transparency as society’s pub-lic value in struggle with corruption, its relation to responsibil-ity; transparency as openness promoting tool in decision making process.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student: • by understanding theoretical framework of transparency and openness in public state governance student will be able to ana-lyse and evaluate implementation of anticorruption policy in micro and macro levels and elaborate Programme of anticorrup-tion actions; and ethical responsibility, to recognise and follow ethics principles when carrying out research, collecting informa-tion or communicating with citizens;• will be able critically to evaluate and share their knowledge of anticorruption policy and ethical management with their col-leagues and professionals, to use concepts of the scientific field in communication and discussions;• will be able to identify corruption and ethical problems in state governance and to argue possible measures for strategy and tac-tics of anticorruption policy;• will be able critically to evaluate ethical problems in macro and micro levels, will have abilities to analyse and argue ethical prob-lems in groups by applying social (legitimatised, moral, custom) norms;• will be able to conduct themselves and make decisions assu-ming moral.

Contents: The course provides to students a possibility to study the evi-denced forms of administrative corruption in the context of public governance, to reveal the theoretical concept of trans-parency as society’s public value in struggle with corruption, its relation to responsibility; transparency as openness promoting tool in decision making process. During the studies students will develop their ability to acknowledge the importance of systemic anti-corruptive education, to analyze and appreciate the experi-ences of European countries in the development of ethical man-agement tools in public administration institutions for the safe-guard of transparency, openness and effectiveness. This course will not only help students to plunge into theoretical discussions

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about transparency, openness, and anti-corruption education in public administration to ensure the principles of good go-vernance, but also introduce students with practical examples through working on imitated situations of ethical dilemmas, make students analyse them and apply aids of ethics manage-ment in search for an innovative solution.

Previous studies:

Theory of Public Administration Organisations, Public Policy and Governance, and Administrative Law.

Teaching / learning methods:

Discussion in class, self-assessment, mind-map, literature ana-lysis, case study, test, presentation.

Change Management and Leadership (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd yearAim: The of the course is to prepare to work initiatively and crea-

tively in constantly changing public management institutions, upholding management style and methods characteristic to a leader, combining leadership and teamwork, constantly analy-zing dynamic internal and external environment conditions of an organisation, to evaluate the influence and results of imple-mented and implementing change, sol-ving tasks, determining the implementation of change based on innovations.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student: • having gained knowledge of methodological principles in change management and leadership, tactics, team management methods and leadership typology, the student should be able to analyze, and foresee the processes of improving implementa-tion of innovative processes in organization of public manage-ment; • having explored contemporary theories of leaders as change agents the student should be able to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented reforms and changes in public management and a separate organization; to prepare propo-sals, recommendations about the necessity of innovation-based changes in the system of public management, organization, the student will understand the impact of leadership on the deve-lopment of society;

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• having gained knowledge of change management and leader-ship methodological principles the student should be able to: develop and uphold management style and methods charac-teristic to a leader, rationally combine the leadership with team building and management principles, to evaluate one’s as 1) employee of an organization, 2) leadership potentialities of ini-tiating and implementing changes in an organization and team;• will be able to analyse and evaluate the need of changes in the public sector, in a separate organization of the public sector (ability to apply SWOT and PES), to generate ideas for changes, to implement them; to assess the sources of an organization and to substantiate motivational system in pursuance of increased efficiency of employees in a public organization;• having critically assessed good practice of other countries, will be able to explore and to design the patterns of the pos-sibilities of each type of leadership typical of public sector in implementing changes in public management of the Republic of Lithuania.

Contents: Structure and content of the course provide students with theoretical and practical aspects of change management and leadership. During theoretical studies the students will analyze theories of changes, learn about change management means in different phases, go deeper into the activity of organization’s head in the management of changes implemented in the system (on national, regional or municipal level) or in the organization itself and the significance of transformational leadership in the development of organization. Much attention is paid to devel-oping understanding of the system of values at organization and the importance of ethics in change management as well as for the analysis of theoretical and practical aspects of inter-action between a leader and a team in implementing changes. Aforementioned topics are analyzed in the context of public administration system by going deeper into peculiarities of lea-dership in this sector. During individual work the students will prepare for colloquium, conduct partial service learning prac-tice in a chosen organization of public sector, they analyze the significance of leader’s role in initiating organizational changes, peculiarities of interaction between a leader and a team, con-duct research on leader’s readiness for changes, and prepare

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a report on the research. During trainings the students will pre-sent cases of transformational leadership they analyzed and dis-cuss the results of accomplished analyses as well as simulate situ-ations. Studies are accomplished by examination during which the students analyze given situations and demonstrate their abi-lity to correctly assess the processes in a situation, their genesis, to assess leaders’ actions in them, to model the course of change implementation, and possible leader’s behaviour in them.

Previous studies:

The Basics of Management.

Teaching / learning methods:

Analysis and overview of literature, case analysis (case study), training, interactive lecture, consultations, work in groups, dis-cussion, reflection of activities, mind map, methods applied in service-learning.

Master’s Seminars (6 ECTS)Timing: Autumn / Winter Semester, 2nd yearAim: The aim of the course is to develop the theoretical knowledge

and practical skills, needed for the design of Master’s thesis in the field of regional development and governance.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • be able to identify and formulate problematic areas of Master’s thesis research by systemizing available knowledge of regional public policy and governance, searching targeted and integrating new information;• have abilities to select and study theories, underlying the re-search, issues of research methodology, to assess critically and to link with analyzed problem;• be able to discuss argumentatively on selected issue of regional research methodology, concerning it with analyzed problem. They constructively assess projects of colleagues;• be able to analyse critically researches, made by other scientists, to select and summarize results of research, related to the ana-lyzed problem;• will be able to determine main dimensions of Master’s thesis and to link them with actions of scientific research planning and management, to prepare and substantiate the design of a research;• have abilities to present the project of a research and the

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review of scientific studies in writing, in accordance with require-ments for scientific text.

Contents: Master’s seminars course is designed to develop theoretical know-ledge and practical skills in the field of regional research and to prepare for Master’s thesis writing. During individual work, stu-dents choose and revise the topic of Master’s thesis, goes deeper to specific issues and analyzes research of regional management and research methodology, formulate the research problem, pre-pare the research design, create academic text. During seminars, students represent other scientists’ researches, concerned with se-lected topic, results of critical analysis, revise the topic, discuss the prospective research problem, construct and argue the program of Master’s thesis, corresponding to requirements for it, discuss and estimates his and colleagues thesis. The lecturer estimates skills of critical thinking and arguing, demonstratedduring semi-nars, and completed tasks. During the exam, students present and substantiate the design of their prospective research in Master’s thesis, and submit prepared texts for estimation. The lecturer as-sesses the students’ progress in the development of the subject’s and research methods’ knowledge, the substantiation of the re-search design, and academic writing skills.

Previous studies:

Methodology of Regional Research, Regional Development and Governance.

Teaching / learning methods:

Analysis of case (case study), information retrieval assignment, analysis of literature, analysis of scientific article, seminar, dis-cussion, formation of concepts maps, individual consultations, individual project, folder of works (porfolio), presentation, self-evaluation.

Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)Timing: Spring / Summer Semester, 2nd yearAim: The aim of the course is to develop a master’s thesis in the field

of regional development and governance and to present research results for the scientists and practitioners.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course student will: • be able to solve the investigated problem, will have the com- petence to integrate existing regional public policy and man-agement, regional research methodology skills and knowledge,

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with scientific research to create new and original knowledge significant for practical management of regions;• be able to evaluate the latest scientific knowledge and innova-tion in public policy and management, will be able to identify the key dimensions of the master thesis and relate them to the research planning and management actions;• be able to apply regional research methods and make positive research results analysis;• be able to create a scientific text by doing evaluation of the theories and of methods and by doing criticism, to present the research, the methods used, the results and their analysis;• be able professionally to present (orally and in writing) re-search results and substantiated, innovative and realistic re-commendations forinterested parties, involved in processes of regional development management; • have the analytical, systematic, critical and creative thinking skills, ability to plan research process, to choose the direction of training and further self-education.

Contents: The course of Master’s thesis is designed to prepare the Mas-ter’s thesis. Knowledge, acquired during Methodology of Re-gional Research and Master’s Seminars courses, are applied for Master’s thesis writing. Students implement the program of re-gional scientific research, which corresponds to the structure and requirements of Master’s thesis. Students are encouraged to accomplish comparative research, to create an integrated solution of the problem, current for both countries. Students explore the theoretical issues and solve a research problem, re-alize the design of Master’s thesis and accomplish appropriate assignments. For the preparation of Master’s Thesis supervisor from one university and the consultant from other university are appointed. Master’s Thesis is assessed by a Joint Defence Board of the university students entered, in accordance with procedures of the university.

Previous studies:

Methodology of Regional Research, Master’s Seminar.

Teaching / learning methods:

Individual consultations, individual project, analysis of litera-ture, self-evaluation, presentation.

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CONTACT INFORMATION ŠIAULIAI UNIVERSITY

Tel. +370 41 595800 Fax +370 41 595809http://www.su.lt/en/

Programme coordinator Beatričė PoškuvienėDepartment of Public Administration,

Faculty of Social SciencesArchitektu st. 1, Šiauliai, LT-76825, Lithuania

Tel.: +370 685 06446Fax: +370841595800

E-mail: b.poskuviene@gmail.com

Programme supervisor prof. Diana Šaparnienė Department of Public Administration,

Faculty of Social SciencesArchitektu st. 1, Šiauliai, LT-76825, Lithuania

Tel.: +370 68246551Fax: +370841595800

E-mail: diana.s@smf.su.lt

Department of International Programmes and RelationsVilniaus st. 88, LT-76285, Šiauliai, Lithuania

Tel. +370 41 595742Fax +370 41 595 743

E-mail: intern.studies@su.lt

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UNIVERSITY OF PARDUBICETel. +420 466 036 111 Fax +420 466 036 361www.upce.cz/english/

Programme coordinator Martina FloriánováDepartment of External Affairs and Development

Faculty of Economics and AdministrationStudentská 84, Pardubice 532 10, Czech Republic

Tel.:+420 466 036 072E-mail: martina.florianova@upce.cz

Programme guarantee assoc. prof. Jan StejskalFaculty of Economics and Administration

Institute of Economic SciencesStudentská 84, Pardubice 532 10, Czech Republic

Tel.: +420 466 036 067E-mail: Jan.Stejskal@upce.cz

Office of International Affairs and DevelopmentStudentská 95, Pardubice 532 10, Czech Republic

Tel.: +420 46 603 6725Fax: +420 466 036 797

E-mail: mobility@upce.cz