12/3/2024 9:22:02 AM	PSYC 14 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PSYC 14	Title:  INTRO TO POSITIVE PSYCH
Full Title:  Introduction to Positive Psychology
Last Reviewed:11/4/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  PSYCH 14

Catalog Description:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, cultural, relational, institutional, and global dimensions of life. This course reviews the history of positive psychology and the contributions this field of study has made to several traditional research areas in psychology, and offers the opportunity to learn ways to increase levels of positive human functioning.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, cultural, relational, institutional, and global dimensions of life. This course reviews the history of positive psychology and the contributions this field of study has made to several traditional research areas in psychology, and offers the opportunity to learn ways to increase levels of positive human functioning.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 2020	Inactive:
Area:	D	Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 2020
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2020	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2020	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Describe theories, concepts, and research findings in learning and positive psychology.

2.  Demonstrate an understanding of research methods in positive psychology and the

     ability to critically evaluate research in this area.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Summarize the historical development of positive psychology.

2. Demonstrate applications of core concepts of positive psychology.

3. Identify research that supports the principles, strategies, and skills of positive psychology.

4. Discuss methodologies used in the study of positive psychology.

5. Evaluate evidence for the validity, both internal and external, of empirical claims

     in contemporary positive psychology research.

Topics and Scope

I. Positive Psychology: Assumptions, Goals, and Definitions

    A. Research in Positive Psychology

    B. Culture and the Meaning of a Good Life

    C. Social/Personality Psychology and the Psychology of Religion    

II. The Meaning and Measure of Happiness

    A. Subjective Well-Being

    B. Positive Affect, Negative Affect, and Happiness

     C. Self-Realization: The Eudaimonic Basis of Happiness

III. Positive Emotions and Well-Being

    A. Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions

     B. Positive Emotions and Health Resources

    C. Cultivating Positive Emotions

IV. Resilience  

     A. Resilience Research

    B. The Dangers of Blaming the Victim

    C. Growth Through Trauma

V. Happiness and the Facts of Life

    A. Happiness Across the Life Span

    B. Gender and Happiness

     C. Marriage and Happiness     

VI. Money, Happiness, and Culture

    A. The Paradox of Affluence

    B. Understanding Money and Happiness

    C. Culture and Well-Being

VII. Personal Goals and Windows to Well-Being

    A. Goals and Related Motivational Concepts

    B. Goals that Contribute Most to Well-Being

    C. Materialism and Its Discontents

VIII. Self-Regulation and Self-Control

    A. The Value of Self-Control

    B. Goals that Create Self-Regulation Problems

    C. The Costs and Benefits of Procrastination

IX. Positive Traits

    A. Personality, Emotions, and Biology

    B. Positive Beliefs

    C. Unresolved Issues in the Study of Optimism

X. Virtue and Strengths of Character

    A. Developing a Classification of Human Virtues

    B. Measuring Strengths of Character

    C. Transcendence: Religion and Spirituality

XI. Close Relationships and Well-Being

    A. Defining Close Relationships

    B. Varieties of Love

    C. Conflict and Communication Skills

XII. Interconnection of the "Good" and the "Bad"

    A. Mindfulness and Well-Being

    B. Mindfulness Meditation

    C. Mindfulness and Psychotherapy

Assignments:

1. Read approximately 35-60 pages per week

2. Essay, term, or research paper and/or project(s) (a minimum of 1,250 words for the course)

3. Presentation(s)

4. Quiz(zes) and/or exam(s)

5. Final exam or final project

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 25%
Essay, term, or research paper and/or project(s)
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 75 - 90%
Quiz(zes) and/or exam(s), and final exam or final project
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Presentation(s) and/or project(s)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Positive Psychology. Baumgardner, Steve and Crothers, Marie. Pearson. 2009 (classic)

 

Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life. Ivtzan, Itai and Lomas, Tim and Hefferon, Kate and Worth, Piers. Routledge. 2016

 

Mindfulness in Positive Psychology: The Science of Mediation and Wellbeing. Ivtzan, Itai and Lomas, Tim. Routledge. 2016

 

A Primer in Positive Psychology. Peterson, Christopher. Oxford University Press. 2006 (classic)

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