The Science of Happiness
PSYC 295Z
Winter 2022
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01
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(This course is being offered as a blend of synchronous class meetings and asynchronous work involving small group discussions.) 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 "happiness 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. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM PSYC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PSYC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Selected readings from textbook: Lopez, Pedrotti, & Snyder (2019). Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths 4th Edition. The course readings will heavily utilize journal articles.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Written reflections on readings, Class discussion, In- and out-of-class activities and exercises, Flourishing journal, Final Project.
Students should expect some readings and assignments to be due during winter break, prior to the beginning of Winter Session class meetings. Please visit the Winter Session website for the full syllabus.
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Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course counts as an elective towards the psychology major.
This course will meet MTWRF 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:00PM-3:00PM via Zoom. |
| Instructor(s): D'Andrea,Jennifer Times: TBA; Location: ONLINE; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | 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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