CoursesIntroduction to Positive Psychology
PSYC 266 (SEC 001 and 002)

Introduction to Positive Psychology

This highly engaged course integrates the process of learning about positive psychology with personal experience and reflection. We explore topics such as well-being, positive affect, optimism, relationships, and character strengths.

Section 001 – Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Section 002 – Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

This highly engaged course explores the ideas and research of positive psychology. We will read selected articles and chapters, as well as participate in numerous activities, in and out of class.Throughout this course, we will investigate various positive psychology interventions. We will integrate the process of learning with personal experience and reflection. This emphasizes personally engaging with the material. To excel in this course, students must enthusiastically digest material, engage with the research, and collaborate with peers. This requires articulating ideas in verbal and written form, with some group work in and out of class. All assessment is meaningfully connected to our course goals. Considering the content of what you will be learning, course material is valuable in its own right, even without your associated grade.

Sample Syllabus

Other Courses of Interest

PSYC 3446-001

The Science of Well-Being

Instructor(s)

  • Martin Seligman

Semester

Spring 2024

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 pm-1:29 pm

The course consists of weekly 90-minute lectures on Positive Psychology: The topics include Well-Being as a Life Goal, Good Character, Learned Helplessness, Optimism, Coaching, Therapy and Prevention, Positive Education, the Positive Corporation, Agency, and Artificial Intelligence. In addition, there will be weekly recitation sessions and exercises for students to measure and to increase their personal well-being.

Class Format: TUESDAYS: 90-minute lectures on Positive Psychology. THURSDAYS: Students meet in small groups (“recitation sessions”) to complete exercises that measure and increase their personal well-being.

Instructors: Martin Seligman, Frank Jackson

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PSYC 3409-001

Failure to Communicate

Instructor(s)

  • Carlin Romano

Semester

Spring 2024

Mondays, 7:00 pm-9:59 pm

The phrase “failure to communicate” became iconic in American English from the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke,” in which Paul Newman played a convict who refuses to listen or follow orders. The film raised questions about the multiple ways we understand “failure to communicate” and its consequences. Is it sometimes a decision to resist a presumption, a premise, an interpretation, an argument, a directive from authority? Is it at other times simply a mechanical failure? This course examines “failure to communicate” in multiple cultural areas, among them literature, romance, politics, show business, law, science, war, psychology, philosophy, business, religion, humor and education.

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