| Unit name | Science of Happiness |
|---|---|
| Unit code | UNIV10010 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Hood |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
There are trailers available for this unit here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=cd4k4Uyyijw&feature=emb_logo
The Science of Happiness unit aims to introduce students to scientifically validated strategies for living a more satisfying life. Throughout the unit, students will explore the latest results from research in psychological science about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed and how to flourish, even in a challenging environment. They will be provided with opportunities to put some of these strategies into practice in their own life and to build some of the habits that will allow them to live a more fulfilling life.
As the unit will focus on the challenges of the transition to University, it is only available to first year undergraduate students.
An overview of content
The content begins with how to define and measure happiness using scientific approaches. We then address how scientists make statistical inferences using experimental methods. We provide an overview of behavioural genetics applied to happiness and we introduce the basic cognitive distortions that can disrupt our evaluations of happiness. We discuss examples of positive psychology interventions that can be used to combat these distortions, and the evidence that supports them. There is particular attention paid to mind-wandering and the benefits of controlled attention. The importance of social connection and the perils of social media are raised as well as the various benefits of regular social interactions, exercise and sleep. Students are encouraged to discover their own signature strengths and how applying these in the right context can lead to satisfaction in work and leisure. Finally, we focus on techniques to achieve well-being goals and establish positive habits for the future.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Our research demonstrates that taking this course is associated with positive well-being benefits to students. We found that well-being benefits can be maintained up to 2 years later among students who continue to practice at least some of the recommended activities, post-course. In addition to understanding well-being, our focus on engagement rather than examination encourages good time management, and the happiness hubs provide opportunities to meet other students, to work as a team, and to reflect on ideas and practices with others.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit, students should be able to:
1. Measure their own happiness levels.
2. Explain the balance between genetic disposition and life events in generating happiness.
3. Identify cognitive biases that can distort humans’ beliefs and perceptions.
4. Evaluate the use of a variety of positive psychology interventions to increase well-being.
5. Describe the concept of hedonic adaptation
6. Recognise and reflect on challenges to well-being in themselves and others.
7. Develop and apply successful strategies to improve mental wellbeing.
8. Discover and build upon their own signature strengths.
9. Utilise effective techniques to achieve their own goals
Live lectures, discussion group workshops (Happiness Hubs) with max 10 students per group and self-reflective journaling.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
In this unit there are no graded examinations. Instead, you receive your course credit based on your attendance and completion of regular low-stakes course activities. Therefore, we do not make the distinction between summative and formative tasks, because all course activities contribute towards your engagement and therefore to your ability to obtain course credit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Course credit (pass/fail) is awarded based on consistent engagement with the course (i.e. your attendance and completion of weekly assignments). Credit is awarded to everyone who has engaged with at least 80% of the weekly course activities AND contributed to a final group project.
Typical weekly activities are:
- Attending a lecture
- Attending a small group meeting (happiness hub)
- Summarising and reflecting on a piece of reading
- Writing a short reflective journal entry, describing your experience of trying out a well-being activity.
At the end of the course, you will also produce a group project with the other members of your happiness hub. In this group project you will use what you have learned from the course to conduct, evaluate and report on activities aimed at increasing your own well-being or the well-being of another group of people.
When assessment does not go to plan
If you have not been able to complete 80% of the course activities, for any reason, you will have the opportunity to catch up by completing one or more short written essays on the course topics at the end of term. If these are not completed at the end of term, you may have another opportunity to complete these essays in the summer reassessment period. We will contact you if your attendance drops below a certain point, and you will be able to keep track of your own attendance on blackboard, so you will know if you are on track throughout the course.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. UNIV10010).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
