PSY 470: Positive Psychology
Fall xxxx
Instructor: Jennifer L. Price, PhD Phone: 863-8330
Office: 23 Anderson Hall Email:
Office hours: TBD
Required Text:
Peterson, C. (2006). A Primer in Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Supplemental Texts:
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. New York: HarperCollins.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths & Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness. New York: Free Press.
Additional texts will be made available on reserve in the LRC and/or posted on Moodle.
Course Description & Objectives: This course will provide an introduction to Positive Psychology, the study of what allows people to flourish or the science of positive subjective experience, positive traits, and positive institutions. This course will present the most well-known psychological perspectives and research findings on happiness, life satisfaction, character strengths and virtues, and how to achieve “the Good Life.” The overall goals of this course are to give you an understanding of this growing area of psychology, to provide a basis for you to pursue further study in this area, and to encourage self-exploration of your own strengths and virtues. In addition, this course is designed as a seminar course which will enhance your strengths as a critical thinker and prepare you for graduate study in a variety of areas. This course is also a writing intensive course which will enhance your existing writing skills and develop your writing abilities in the field of psychology.
Course Format: The course will be taught as a seminar. That is, classes may include some lecture material, but will emphasize class discussion. Thus, it is critical that you attend class regularly, read the assigned materials in advance, and come to each class prepared with discussion questions. In-class activities and self-assessments will be conducted throughout the course, making your regular attendance even more important. Information relevant to the day’s topic may be posted on Moodle, so it is your responsibility to check the page before each class for related postings. Moodle will also be used to post grades throughout the semester. You are encouraged to come by my office during the hours listed above or to schedule an appointment with me to discuss course material, study strategies, exam preparation, and other related issues. E-mail is another good way of contacting me for such questions or concerns.
Attendance/Participation Policy: Due to the seminar nature of this course, attendance and participation will be factored into the final grade for the class (see course requirements below). In addition to these requirements, students are expected to treat their professor and classmates with respect by coming to class on time and paying attention. Excessive tardiness (either frequency or amount of time late in a given class period) will result in grade reduction. The use of cell phones, i-pods, and similar devices is not permitted; turn them off before class begins. Please do not use our valuable class time to send/receive text messages. This disrespectful behavior simply will not be tolerated.
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to follow Georgetown College’s Honor System. Infractions of the Honor System will be handled according to school policy (see Student Handbook).
Special Needs: Any student with a documented learning disability or other condition requiring accommodations should contact the professor the first week of classes to discuss this issue.
Course Requirements: There will be a maximum of 600 points for this class which can be earned through completing the following course requirements:
· Discussion Facilitation (100 points): Though all students are expected to assist with facilitating discussion in this seminar course, you will each have an opportunity to lead class discussion on select topics. The lead discussant will be given a primary article, but is also responsible for choosing an additional article on the assigned topic. All student-selected articles must be given to the professor (email and/or hard copy) no later than the designated Research Day immediately prior to your scheduled discussion day. The articles will be posted on Moodle and/or put on reserve in the LRC. All students should then read the two articles for the assigned day. The lead discussant will be responsible for presenting summary material from each of the two articles as well as facilitating discussion amongst class members by asking questions, offering opinions, and suggesting ways to connect the material to other course readings/topics. Discussants should plan to engage the class for the entire class period. Thus, discussants may wish to incorporate discussion of contemporary issues, use of video clips, and/or utilization of self-assessment tools during the class period. Points will be awarded for the relevance of the article selected, the content of the presented material, the quality of the discussion facilitation, and the creativity/relevance of additional materials (e.g., assessment measures, video clips).
· Research Paper (200 points): The primary goal of the research paper assignment is to further each student’s knowledge of a topic of interest in the field of positive psychology. Thus, students must choose a relevant topic and submit a written paragraph describing the topic (25 points), investigate existing research, develop an outline (25 points), write a draft (50 points), respond to suggested revisions, and submit a final version (100 points) of the research paper. Due dates for each of these components are indicated on the course schedule, and the grade will include an evaluation of each. Papers are expected to be approximately 15 pages in length and should include a minimum of 10 sources (at least 8 of which should be peer-reviewed journal articles). Sources should be cited using APA format. Research working days are included throughout the semester; students are expected to meet as a class on those days.
· Application Journal (200 points): The purpose of the journal is to allow students to understand how positive psychology does/can influence their own lives, either through assessment measures, applied exercises, or personal reflection. A variety of activities will be part of the journal (a good portion will be the “exercise” at the end of each textbook chapter) and will typically be assigned as homework through in-class announcement and posting on Moodle, though occasionally in-class exercises will be utilized. Each journal should be 1-2 typed pages in length and will be worth 20 points. In some instances, students may choose not to complete a particular journal topic (i.e., some topics may be considered too personal or inapplicable). In these cases, students can complete the alternate assignment of reviewing an article published in a peer-reviewed psychology journal in the past 10 years. The topic of the article must be directly relevant to the topic of the applied exercise being substituted. Students should read the article and write a 1-2 page summary/critique of the study. Students are responsible for selecting appropriate articles and points will be deducted accordingly. Thus, students would benefit from having the article reviewed by the professor in advance, though this is not required. Please note that there is no requirement to ever use a research article as a substitution, but students should use this option for no more than 25% of exercises in order to maximally benefit from the applied aspects of the course.
· Attendance/Participation (100 points): Attendance will be taken at each class. The final 100 points of the course total will be awarded for regular attendance, active participation in class discussion, evidence of regular completion of reading assignments, and consultation with me outside of class (e.g., office meetings, phone contacts, or emails). Perfect scores will only be awarded for students who attend and participate in every class, but scores can still be quite high if the occasional class is missed. Think of this component of your grade in the following way: students with excellent attendance (e.g., no more than three absences) and active participation in the majority of classes will score in the 90s; students with above average attendance and participation will score in the 80s; etc. Please note that due to the importance of attendance and participation in a seminar course, any student missing more than 8 classes must drop the course or receive a failing grade. Though attendance/participation points will not be posted until the end of the semester, students are encouraged to ask at any point about whether your attendance and participation in the course are satisfactory.
Grading Policy: Grades will be assigned according to the following “total points earned” cutoffs. Please note that these point totals do not “round up” for partial percentage points.
A = 558-600 points C = 420-467 points
A/B = 528-557 points D = 360-419 points
B = 498-527 points F = fewer than 360 points
B/C = 468-497 points
COURSE SCHEDULE (Dates indicated are from Fall 2008)
Date Topic Text Lead Discussants
Week 1
T Introduction
R What is Positive Psychology? Ch. 1
Journal #1: Writing Your Own Legacy
Week 2
T Not a Spectator Sport Ch. 2
R Pleasure & Positive Experiences Ch. 3
Journal #2: Savoring
Week 3
T Research Day
R Flow Reserve A ______
Journal #3: Fun vs. Philanthropy
Week 4
T Happiness Ch. 4
Research Topic Paragraphs Due by 5pm
R Gratitude & Forgiveness Reserve B ______
Journal #4: Gratitude Letter
Week 5
T Positive Thinking Ch. 5
Journal #5: Three Good Things
R Optimism & Hope Reserve C ______
Week 6
T Character Strengths Ch. 6 Journals 1-5 Due
R Character Strengths Reserve D ______
Journal #6: Using Signature Strengths in New Ways
Week 7
T Wisdom Reserve E ______
Research Paper Outline Due by 5pm
R Courage Reserve F ______
Week 8
T No Class: Fall Break
R Research Day
Week 9
T Humanity Reserve G ______
R Justice Reserve H ______
Week 10
T Temperance Reserve I ______
R Transcendence Reserve J ______
Week 11
T Values Ch. 7
Research Paper Draft Due by 5pm
R Interests, Abilities, & Accomplishments Ch. 8
Journal #7: Assess Your Interests & Abilities
Week 12
T Leisure/Sport Reserve K ______
R Research Day
Week 13
T Wellness Ch. 9
Journal #8: Changing a Habit
R Positive Interpersonal Relationships Ch. 10
Week 14
T Raising Children Reserve L ______
Journal #9: Children’s Strengths Survey
R No Class: Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
T Enabling Institutions Ch. 11
Journal #10: Reflection on Institutions
R Positive Institutions Reserve M ______
Week 16
T The Future of Positive Psychology Ch. 12 Journals 6-10 Due
Final Exam Day/Time Final Research Papers Due