The University of St. Gallen is one of the leading universities in Europe promoting the development of knowledge and skills within the context of professional practices. In our Psychology classes we are committed to forging links between knowledge, skills and practices as reflected. Psychology courses in this University help students develop theoretical knowledge relevant to their interaction with the professional world. This approach encourages students in the processes of metacognitive engagement with their professional studies. They learn the processes of reflective learning and their application to their studies and future employment. Psychology at the University of St. Gallen is designed to develop students’ transferable skills in creative, adaptive and flexible approaches to professional tasks, offering training in social responsibility, leadership, and decision-making.
The content and perspectives of our psychology courses are varied, wide-ranging and complementary. First, students are engaged in exploring socio-cognitive abilities, actions and processes of individuals in the context of the professional world. Second, they explore the social constructs which elucidate the sense making processes within the repertoire of symbolic and non-symbolic exchanges and negotiations within groups and organizations. The students are engaged in deconstructing “homo economius” against the backdrop of responsibility and sustainability in the financial world.
Students participate in the critical evaluation of different epistemological positions in Psychology. Psychological theories of human actions are closely linked to empirical studies and issues concerning ecological validity of empirical data. Students explore discourses, psychosocial actions and reactions, case studies, and experiments. A rich variety of methodological approaches is employed in psychological exploration. This provides students with firm methodological knowledge and skills in social and behavioural research that are transferable to the other subject areas at the University of St. Gallen.
Julia Nentwich offers courses on the psychology of gender relations, change and sustainability behaviour, as well as communication and conflict for first year students.
Mohammed Shafiullah offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses which address the social, cognitive and neurological processes in a) the development of professional competence, and b) communicating with different cultures.
Furthermore, a diverse group of lecturers are teaching on all level covering topics such as personel selection, well being at work, ecological psychology, consumer psychology and other issues.