HUMN 102 Happiness: A Humanities Approach

This course will examine the concept of the psychology of happiness and its focus on resiliency efforts to enhance optimism, decrease stressors, and increase subjective well-being. The course will approach the study of this area, often labeled "positive psychology," from a philosophical and humanities-based perspective, exploring the enduring and contemporary ways in which human beings have defined, sought, attained, and enhanced happiness in their lives in various social and cultural contexts. Students will communicate effectively through written assignments and presentations an understanding of the role of positive interventions in increasing subjective well-being and exchange ideas with others.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to the principles, definitions,
   strategies, and skills of happiness and subjective well-being.
   
2. Understand, practice, and evaluate strategies toward increasing happiness and overall
   quality of life, incorporating innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem
   solving methods.
3. Pose and address questions related to happiness in life situations.
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role(s) and value of gratitude, spirituality, flow,
   altruism, forgiveness, flourishing, and hope as they pertain to happiness and subjective wellbeing.
5. Access assessment tools available for measuring/re-measuring happiness to assist in
   acquiring insight into individual strengths and virtues.
6. Use spoken and symbolic communication effectively and creatively in formal presentations and engage in collaborative analysis, critique, and revision of one’s own communication styles and choices.
7. Analyze, articulate, and present contemporary theories and practices in the study of happiness using a variety of media for a range of audiences and purposes.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to the principles, definitions,
   strategies, and skills of happiness and subjective well-being.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Reflective/position papers

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1
2. Understand, practice, and evaluate strategies toward increasing happiness and overall
   quality of life, incorporating innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem
   solving methods.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Writing assignments/journaling

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2
3. Pose and address questions related to happiness in life situations.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Class activities, reflective papers

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role(s) and value of gratitude, spirituality, flow,
   altruism, forgiveness, flourishing, and hope as they pertain to happiness and subjective wellbeing.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Writing assignments, analytic research paper (final project)

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4
5. Access assessment tools available for measuring/re-measuring happiness to assist in
   acquiring insight into individual strengths and virtues.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. Use spoken and symbolic communication effectively and creatively in formal presentations and engage in collaborative analysis, critique, and revision of one’s own communication styles and choices.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Presentations

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC2
   • OC4
7. Analyze, articulate, and present contemporary theories and practices in the study of happiness using a variety of media for a range of audiences and purposes.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Presentations

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC1
   • OC3