Students studying Economics have the option of participating in “Enhancing the Core Competencies of New Media” and “New Media” as part of their elective courses (Enhancing Core Competencies or Supplementary Subject). It is possible to participate in both modules at the same time!

Study “Enhancing the Core Competencies of New Media”

This module provides an introduction to research on media choice, media use and media effects, focusing particularly on the aspect of “new media” (Internet, World Wide Web). Students learn about relevant questions, theories, methods and findings in media psychology (e.g., for computer-mediated communication or the psychology of learning) and about existing connections and points of contact for organizational psychology (e.g., e-learning or virtual teamwork). Substantive issues are, for example: When are virtual teams particularly productive and what inhibits their productivity? What motivates people in social software applications to engage in altruistic behavior? What psychological methods and theories can explain the adoption of innovations in new media, and what causes a low level of acceptance?

“Enhancing the Core Competencies of New Media” is one of three optional fields of study within “Enhancing Core Competencies.” For students studying E-Business Management and Communications Systems, the module “Enhancing the Core Competencies of New Media” is mandatory.

Supplementary Subject “New Media: In-Depth Theory and Practice”

The supplementary subject “New Media” focuses in particular on the practical application of media and organizational psychological theories, knowledge and methods. Students learn about the various uses of new media in organizations and about potential problems and errors in the use or the introduction of new media in organizations. In this module, the theoretical knowledge of methods and instruments of design, implementation, and evaluation of media products are put into practice through a class project. Topics for the project include: design of multimedia applications for specific target groups (e.g., older workers), developing content for learning platforms, writing a course concept for a virtual seminar, or exploring uses of social software in companies.

The field of study “New Media” can be completed as part of the Supplementary Subject.

In these courses participants receive an introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and research results of work and organizational psychology. This includes a focus on the application of psychological insights in work and organizational contexts.

On the basis of well-supported theories, current empirical evidence, and practical examples, the courses aim to offer a deeper understanding of human experience and behavior in the work context.

Three courses are offered in the field of work and organizational psychology:

A selection of topics dealt with in these courses are:

• The meaning of work for individuals, effects of unemployment
• Forms of work behavior (productive, extra-productive and counterproductive behavior)
• Job satisfaction and its relation to work(place) design and performance
• Development of work motivation, as well as the relationship between goals and performance
• Demands, stressors and resources at work, flexible working arrangements, effects of “stress” in the workplace, burnout
• Work and requirements analysis as a basis for workplace design, personnel selection, performance appraisal, staff development, etc.
• Personnel selection and performance evaluation (approach, reliability, acceptance)
• Planning, implementation, evaluation of personnel development measures
• Leadership and success criteria, men and women in leadership positions
• Motivation gains and losses in teams (e.g., freeloaders), stages of team development, conflicts, power, and bullying at work
• Organizational diagnosis and development, organizational climate and culture, intercultural aspects

The courses can be taken as part of the course of study in Sociology (diploma, bachelor, master), Economics (diploms, bachelor) Business Education (diploma), Business Informatics (diploma) and Web Sciences (master). Furthermore, they can be completed as electives.

We recommended attendance of the KS “Work and Organizational Psychology” before attendance of the seminars, since the KS provides an introduction to the topic and is an important basis for understanding the scientific articles read in the seminars.

For the master’s program Web Sciences, the department offers courses in the core subjects “Social Sciences Web Basics” (for students who have not chosen a major in “Social Web”) and “Web Sciences.” In addition, the Department of Work, Organizational and Media Psychology, in conjunction with the Department of Empirical Social Research, is responsible for the “Social Web” curriculum.

Compulsory Subjects “Social Sciences Web Basics” and “Web Sciences“

The following courses are offered as compulsory subjects:

The course “Research in and about the Web” provides an overview of the development of communication and media systems and their impact on social transformation of societies. The “Interdisciplinary Project” allows the use and integration of all course content of the master’s program within the framework of a practical project in interdisciplinary teams.

Optional Subject “Social Web”

The following courses are offered as part of the optional topic “Social Web”:

The field of study “Web and the Individual” presents basic information about the methods and findings of research on human experience and behavior in dealing with media. Course content includes theories and findings on cognition (learning, information processing), motivation and emotions, their implications for the design of learning environments, as well as current media psychological issues (e.g., media and violence, gender, immigration, youth and internet pornography).

The field of study “Web and organization” provides an introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and research results of work and organizational psychology and also shows applications of psychological knowledge in work and organizational contexts. A more detailed description of the course content can be found in the section above titled “Courses Work and Organizational Psychology”.

The course on “Social Science Research Methods in the Web” provides basic and practical knowledge of data collection on the Internet (e.g., online questionnaires, online experiments)

A Master’s Thesis Seminar (1 semester hour, 1 ECTS) is offered for students writing a thesis in the field of study “Social Web.” More information can be found below in the section “Diploma and Master’s Thesis Courses”.

The following courses are offered to support students writing their diploma and master’s theses:

The primary objective of the thesis is to deepen acquired professional and empirical-methodological knowledge; a basic knowledge of empirical social research (statistics and research methods) is required. To gain or improve this basic knowledge, we recommend attending the course “Quantitative Research Methods.”

In addition, the Master’s Thesis Seminar accompanies students at all stages of the preparation of their master’s or diploma thesis and supports them in finding a research topic, formulating and operationalizing specific research questions, overcoming difficulties, etc. Completion of the seminar is obligatory for students majoring in “Social Web” within the “Web Sciences” field of study.

The Department of Work, Organizational and Media Psychology provides the following courses within the framework of the Doctorate Degree in Humanities and Cultural Studies or the Doctoral Program in Social and Economic Sciences:

For details about the courses, please refer to the respective doctoral curriculum for Humanities and Cultural Studies or doctoral curriculum for Social and Economic Studies.