| 1 |
Introduction: Defining happiness
- Do pre-class questionnaire
- Do Who Am I exercise—discuss why you are taking this class
- Look at different definitions of happiness
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| 2 |
Overview of positive psychology
- What is it and how does it differ from traditional psychology?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of this approach?
- How does it work in therapy?
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| 3 |
Happiness vs. pleasure
- What is happiness?
- How is it measured?
- How does it differ from pleasure?
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| 4 |
Cognitive styles
- Optimism & pessimism—what is the difference?
- How do they work in practice?
- Is there such a thing as realistic optimism? Realistic pessimism?
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| 5 |
Strengths
- What are our strengths?
- How can we use them and in what capacities?
- What are their limitations?
Guest speaker: Tamara Menghi, Associate Director, Employer Relations and Career Programs, MIT Global Education & Career Development
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| 6 |
Unhappiness, sadness and depression
- What is depression and how does it differ from sadness or unhappiness—how does it relate to suffering?
- Is there value in suffering?
- How can we recognize and treat depression?
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| 7 |
Happiness in relationships
- Do friendship maps exercise
- Discuss what makes for a good romantic relationship
- Discuss healthy relationships with parents
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| 8 |
Wellness and flow
- Class exercises to include yoga and meditation
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| 9 |
Happiness and diversity (cultural and religious)
- Investigates how different cultures and generations define happiness
Viewing Video clips from interviews with people from a different culture
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| 10 |
Happiness and decision making Guest speaker: Dorise Gruber, Assistant Director for Freshman Affairs, Boston University School of Management
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| 11 | Finding meaning in our lives |
| 12 | Open topic (to be decided by students), evaluations and wrap up |
