The Science of Happiness
PSYC 295Z
Winter 2026
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01
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Positive psychology is the study of human happiness. The field has compiled an enormous research base offering evidence of the fundamental components of well-being and flourishing. While former work used a narrow, Western definition of happiness, the discipline later broadened its focus to include traditionally Eastern concepts such as social harmony and compassion. More recently, the field has been redefined through second-wave and third-wave positive psychologies, both of which seek to break free from the binary concepts of "positive" and "negative" in favor of a dialectic approach, while utilizing concepts of flourishing through suffering found in indigenous psychology, and including models for systemic change found in social work, sociology, and economics. This course will trace the history and development of positive psychology from its inception to the current state of the field, using a positive psychology text supplemented by journal articles. Core concepts will be discussed and critiqued. It will require students to keep a "flourishing journal" and complete out-of-class activities for personal reflection upon and practice of individual experiences of happiness. Additional course requirements include shorter and longer reflection papers, in-class discussion, and a final project. (This course is being offered as a blend of synchronous class meetings and asynchronous work involving small group discussions.) |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PSYC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Psychology) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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This course relies on journal articles
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Examinations and Assignments:
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Class Attendance: 20%
In-Class Participation: 20%
Flourishing Journal: 10%
4 Reflection Papers 25%
Flourishing Plan: 25% |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): D'Andrea,Jennifer Times: ..TWRF. 09:00AM-12:00PM; ..TWRF. 01:00PM-03:00PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 3 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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