We are currently offering a one-credit online course, the “Science and Philosophy of Happiness,” for graduate students and educators. To register, go to “Happiness 101.” The syllabus is as follows:
The Science and Philosophy of Happiness
(Online Course, EDMM 600R)
Department of Education and Human Resources
University of Bridgeport
Summer 2010 (July 24, July 31, August 1; 1 credit)
(Applicants please contact marksetton@yahoo.com)
Instructors:
Mark K. Setton, (marksetton@yahoo.com)
Debra Park (debrapark@msn.com)
Allison A. Holzer (allisonaboud@gmail.com)
Lance Hickey (lance1001@optonline.net)
Course description
According to the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the “pursuit of happiness” is an essential human right, and yet our schools provide us with few intellectual tools to explore the issue seriously. In view of the current epidemic of depression among secondary school students, and its recognized impact on educational performance, the issue is taking on new urgency.
This course will examine recent discoveries in the scientific study of happiness, their concrete implications for student well-being and performance, and strategies to integrate these new insights into existing curricula. The possibility for integration extends into many areas of the curriculum, especially because there are many intriguing points of resonance between the insights of the recent research on happiness and ancient wisdom from both East and West. Last but not least, the study of happiness provides an attractive medium through which we can teach critical thinking, values and the importance of the scientific method
Course outcomes
Participants will become familiar with leading philosophical and psychological theories of happiness.
Participants will become acquainted with recent scientific studies on happiness.
Participants will be able to identify points of resonance between well-known philosophical views of happiness and recent scientific discoveries on happiness.
Participants will become familiar with the practical implications of the science of happiness for human relationships, lifestyles and thinking habits.
Participants will formulate various strategies for integrating this new field of knowledge with school curricula in general and their own teaching in particular.
Course work
Course work will include participation in online discussions, brief “reaction” papers on assigned readings, and the creation of possible mini-lessons, that integrate the science and/or history of happiness with particular school curricula.
Online Readings
History of Happiness: http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/pursuit-of-happiness/history-of-happiness
Confucian Analects: http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Lunyu&no=1
Science of Happiness: http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/pursuit-of-happiness/science-of-happiness
Required texts
Csikszentmihalyi,Mihalyi (1997) Finding Flow. Basic Books: New York.
Seligman, Martin (2002). Authentic Happiness. Free Press: New York.
Hoff, Benjamin (1982), The Tao of Pooh. Dutton/Penguin: New York.
Grade distribution
Participation 20%; reaction papers 20%; presentations, 30%; minilesson plans 30%.
Schedule of Classes and Readings
|
Date |
Segment |
Topic |
Readings |
|
Saturday, July 24 |
1 |
Introduction. |
Power Point Presentation |
|
2 |
History of Happiness outline |
|
|
|
3 |
Two Seminal Thinkers on Happiness: Confucius and Aristotle |
||
|
Saturday, July 31 |
1 |
Science of Happiness outline |
|
|
2 |
Two Seminal Psychologists: Csikszentmihalyi and Seligman |
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihalyi. (1997) Finding Flow. Seligman, Authentic Happiness (2002) pp.102-161. |
|
|
3 |
Connections between the Science and the Ancient Wisdom |
||
|
Saturday, August 7 |
1
|
Integrating the Science and Philosophy into the Classroom |
Social science curricula: example of mini-lesson. Psychology curricula: example of mini-lesson. |
|
2 |
Presentations |
Design a mini-lesson to be conducted in your classroom |
|
|
3 |
Roundtable Discussion · The courses · The website |