Positive Psychology

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge is required.

Content of Course

1. Defining Narratives. We will start this course by exploring how we make sense of our past, and how our stories from the past can affect our future.

2. Happiness. There are some tried and tested elements to living more happily. This session will explore these elements and how they can be incorporated into everyday life.

3. Mindfulness. An introduction to mindfulness and meditation, including in-class practice.

4. Underlying Beliefs and Attitudes. This class will help participants understand how their underlying beliefs and attitudes can affect their actions, emotions and approach to life.

5. Relationships. Functional relationships are vital for our wellbeing and mental health. In this session, we will explore humanism, attachment, love and social bonds.

6. Altruism and Prosocial Behaviour. Building on the previous week’s session, we will explore how kindness towards others can increase our happiness levels.

7. Resilience. Life has its ups and downs. This week we will look at how we can recover from life’s setbacks and create our own ‘shock absorbers’.

8. Flow. An interactive class that will explore immersion and how to put the stresses of everyday life on hold.

9. Thriving and Flourishing. This class will cover the areas of wellbeing, life satisfaction and progress.

10. The Good Life. The final class will review all that we have learned so far, and explore how to incorporate it into everyday life.

Teaching method(s)

Interactive learning will be encouraged through discussion and personal exercises.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Review and, if necessary, revise how they currently pursue happiness;

• Take personal responsibility for their own general levels of happiness;

• Take action to help them live happier and more fulfilling lives.

Sources

Core Readings

There is no required reading list for this course and handouts will be given, but participants may also find the following books useful and interesting:

• Cyrulnik, B., 2009. Resilience. London: Penguin.

• Gilbert, D., 2006. Stumbling on Happiness. London: Harper Press.

• Perry, P., 2012. How to Stay Sane. London: Pan Macmillan.

• Seligman, S. E. P., 2007. Authentic Happiness. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.

• Zolli, A. and Healy, A. M., 2013. Resilience. London: Headline.

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided on a weekly basis.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.