Abstract:

Successful learning and teaching is a challenge for the university that plays a vital role in improving the economy of a country. This is also true for the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovak Republic - the largest public university in Slovakia providing the possibility to graduate in business and economics. In order to develop effective course curriculums continuous research is being carried out at the University of Economics. Being a part of this broader research, this paper concentrates on the course on European and International Business Law that is one of the core courses of the study program International Business. In order to develop an effective course curriculum, a research was carried out, targeting both possible employers as well as graduates of the study programme International Business, asking questions on the set of expected knowledge, skills and competencies. By processing over 140 responses, we identified the desired learning outcomes and discovered that there is an unsatisfied demand for graduates’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. We learned that employers appreciated joining into one subject business and legal matters that have been typically taught separately with different focus.

Our effort resulted in curriculum that we believe will contribute to successful placement of graduates on the labour market, or to start up their own fresh businesses. Ability of graduates to orientate in the European and International Business Law provides them a benefit in recognising and managing business opportunities emerging on the single European market. In this way, the subject has also a macroeconomic facet, as reduction of youth unemployment is considered critical nowadays through-out Europe.

Keywords:

University, economics, law.