What is well-being and happiness? What defines the good life? This course explores the insights of psychological science into how we can cultivate happiness, reduce stress, and flourish in life. Together, we will examine why people are often less happy than expected, uncover common misconceptions about happiness, and delve into the cognitive tendencies that can hinder our subjective well-being. In addition to understanding the science, we will apply research-based strategies to develop habits that foster a happier and more fulfilling life. Throughout the course, you will engage in Well-being Improvement Strategies and Exercises (WISE) to practice and reinforce these concepts. By the end of the course, you will have the tools to improve your own happiness and positively impact your relationships. This course draws inspiration from Yale University’s renowned “The Science of Well-Being” and incorporates material from the textbook Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, used in similar courses at Harvard University. Lectures will also integrate insights from various books and peer-reviewed journal articles to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science of happiness.

• Required: Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment by Tal Ben-Shahar
• Reference: The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky
• Reference: Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths (3rd Ed) by Shane J. Lopez, Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti, and Charles Richard Snyder