Positive psychology is the scientific study of what helps people live full lives. This introductory course focuses on the science of thriving, addressing questions such as what it means to be “happy” and how we can cultivate well-being as individuals, in organizations, and in communities. Explore the foundations of positive psychology, understand the components of well-being, and learn the theory, empirical research, and collective wisdom that supports this conceptual framework. This hands-on course includes experiments and small-group activities designed to help you build your own well-being and participate in an engaged learning community. The instructor recommends that you acquire two texts for this course, either by purchasing them or checking them out of your library: A Primer in Positive Psychology by Christopher Peterson and Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Martin E.P. Seligman.
For those pursuing a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology, this course is strongly recommended as a prerequisite for the other three courses.
*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.
Instructors
- Faculty, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology
Virginia is a lifelong learner and educator, who recently concluded a 25-year public school teaching career working with students with special needs in diverse, low-income communities. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania and has served as… Read more
- Faculty, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology
Dr. Margarita Tarragona is a psychologist who specializes in positive psychology, the scientific study of happiness, and well-being. She is Professor of the Practice and Director of the ITAM Center for Wellbeing Studies at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México in Mexico City. Margarita is… Read more
- Faculty, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology
Kim Wimmer is an educator, writer, speaker, trainer, and performing artist. She received her Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania where she has been a part of the faculty teams for MAPP and the Penn LPS Online Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology… Read more
