CoursesJourney to Joy: Exploring the Science of Joy for Designing a Happier Life (NEW)
COMM 2830

Journey to Joy: Exploring the Science of Joy for Designing a Happier Life (NEW)

This course examines the science of joy as a psychological, cultural, and communicative phenomenon, with an emphasis on how joy can be intentionally designed and cultivated in personal, professional, and social contexts. We will explore the role of joy in human well-being, its potential as an intervention for trauma and grief, and its application in leadership, policymaking, and digital media.

 

Instructor(s)
  • Desmond Upton Patton
Semester

Fall 2026

Register

Through an interdisciplinary lens, students will analyze the motivations behind joy-seeking behaviors, including self-care, manifestation, social connection, and cultural identity. The course will also investigate how various forms of media—such as social media, entertainment, advertising, and digital storytelling—shape our perceptions of happiness and influence emotional well-being. By engaging with empirical research, real-world case studies, and hands-on user research methods, students will develop (1) a broad understanding of how joy is constructed, communicated, and experienced across different communities and (2) the conceptual and methodological tools to evaluate and design experiences that foster joy in media, technology, and everyday life.

 

Related Content

Other Courses of Interest

PPE 4900-301

Advanced Seminar in PPE: Cooperative Altruism

Instructor(s)

  • Jaron Cordero

Semester

Fall 2026

Cooperative altruism is the intention to benefit sentient beings and work together to accomplish this. Students in this interdisciplinary course will collectively explore cooperative altruism, both in theory and in practice. By engaging with a variety of approaches and perspectives — from microeconomics and experimental psychology to contemplative sciences and North American indigenous philosophy — each student will develop a robust vocabulary to support their capacity to learn about and practice cooperative altruism in dialogue.

Learn More
LAWM 5060

Technology, Law & Ethics (New)

Instructor(s)

  • Justin (Gus) Hurwitz

Semester

Fall 2026

What makes for a responsibly designed product? What duties do technologists have to ensure system security and protect user privacy? Who should be held accountable when artificial intelligence misbehaves? What constraints does intellectual property law place on product design and technologists’ latitude to experiment with technologies? As new technologies continue to emerge and shape both our lives and the world around us, they also raise novel, complex ethical questions that today’s engineers, tech entrepreneurs, other technology professionals are forced to confront. This course will introduce the legal frameworks and principles of ethical decision-making that enable technologists to identify their societal responsibilities, and to think critically through difficult issues. 

 

Learn More