Masters in Applied Positive Psychology

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1 Masters in Applied Positive Psychology Welcome We are delighted to welcome you to the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). You are joining a thriving community of likeminded individuals, keen to extend their knowledge of positive psychology and implement it in practice. The main purpose of this letter is to give you some preliminary information about the course, timetable and us on the team. Your MAPP induction for Cohort 8 (all new students) is starting in Semester A at the Stratford Campus, University of East London (all weekends are held here). The first 2 intensive learning days for the 8 th cohort will take place on the 20 th and 21 st of September. As well as reading this, please make sure that you log onto the universities Starting website uel.ac.uk/starting, where you will be able to view general UEL events happening on campus, how to get around and much more. MAPP Induction Programme We will start our induction day at Stratford Campus 9:00 am (Room YTD). We recognise that this is a long day for everyone, however all components of the day are important for your learning and welcome to UEL. Ideally, you will have enrolled and retrieved your student card BEFORE the first weekend. For those that have not already enrolled and collected their student card, the official MAPP enrolment slot is on Friday, September 20 th, from 13:00-14:00pm in Docklands (Business School Building). Please note that it takes approximately 45 minutes to travel between the two campuses via the Docklands Light Railway and therefore you may be late to the afternoon session. Please see the table below for induction outline (please note the order of the day is subject to change due to external speakers schedules) 9:00-9:30 Welcome by MAPP Team Dr. Kate Hefferon 9:30-10:30 Introduction to MAPP Dr. Kate Hefferon 10:30-10:45 Break 10:45-12:00 Student introduction All Students 12:00-14:30 Lunch (not provided) and Registration and card retrieval at docklands (for those who have not already been able to do so) 14:30-14:45 Welcome to UEL Head of Subject 1:45-2:00 Student Service Student liaison officer 2:00-3:00 Library Graham Fennel- Subject Librarian

2 3:00-3:15 Break 3:15-4:30 Introduction to UEL IT Dr. Joan Painter 4:30-5:30 Introduction to Positive Psychology Dr. Itai Ivtzan 5:30-6:30 Making sense of Positive Psychology Dr. Tim Lomas 6:30-7:00 Previous Student Talk 7:00-8:00 Welcome Reception What to expect over the year Your Part Time timetable is shown below. Please ensure that you attend all lectures and seminars as failure to do so will affect your progression on your course. Please note that unless otherwise specified, classes run: Friday 4:00-8:00 and Saturdays 9:00-6:00 (Rooms YTD). Semester A Pym708 Pym708 and PYM 709 Semester B 20 September (9am-8pm induction day) 21 September (9 am-6 pm) October 8-9 November 6-7 December January 7-8 February 7-8 March 4-5 April Modules PYM08 Foundation of Positive Psychology: This is a double module (60 credits) and runs over 8 weekends from September to April (Saturday sessions). You will have 2 assessments within this course, an Essay (due December 5 th, 2013) and Portfolio (due April 3rd,2014). PYM709 Research Methods and Dissertation Part 1: This is a single module (30 credits) and runs over 8 weekends from September to April (Friday sessions). You will have 1 assessment within this course, a research proposal, due September 1 st, 2014.

3 Planning your time at UEL Part-Time option Structure The MAPP programme is first and foremost a Masters qualification. This means that you will be required to engage in Master level study and will be different from previous positive psychology training courses you may have been on You will be required to engage in 300 hours per semester of independent reading in order to extend your knowledge base as well as prepare and complete assessments Over the 1 st year, there are 3 assignments Over the 2 nd year there are 3 assignments All extra support needed will have to be conducted by student led tutorial groups and utilising the many services that UEL offers The programme runs throughout the year, therefore there is no summer break (although you are researching from home and not required to come onto campus) Please note that by the end of the course, you are not a Psychologist- in order to obtain this title, you will need to carry on to future study at the doctorate level The classes run 8 weekends over the year, from September to April, and take place Fridays, 4-8pm (Research Methods PYM709) and Saturdays 9-6 (Foundations of Positive Psychology PYM708). Administration If you have been accepted onto the course, we ask that you quickly enrol onto the delta system, conduct your finances and enrol online by the 1 st of September. Failure to do so will delay your induction process. MSc Applied Positive Psychology Pre-course reading list You might find it useful to purchase and read the following books prior to the beginning of the programme. You don t have to read them all thoroughly however, they will help you get acquainted with Positive Psychology. The reading is separated into four sections: 1) Positive Psychology Easy Reading (however heavily evidence based) Fredrickson, B. (2009). Positivity: Groundbreaking research reveals how to embrace the hidden strength of positive emotions, overcome negativity, and thrive. USA: Crown Publisher. Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The How of Happiness: A practical guide to getting the life you want. London: Sphere. Lyubomirsky, S. (2013). The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, But Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, But Does. London: The Penguin Press

4 Peterson, C. (2013). Pursuing the Good Life: 100 Reflections in Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. 2) Positive Psychology Textbooks (also helpful references once you have started MAPP) Hefferon, K. & Boniwell, I. (2011). Positive Psychology: Theory, research and applications.uk: McGraw-Hill. Peterson, C. (2006). A primer in positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. Carr, A (2011). Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths (2 nd ed). Hove, UK: Routledge. 3) General Psychology (useful for people without Psychology undergraduate degrees) Stanovich, K. (2009). How to think straight about psychology (9th Ed). UK: Pearson Education. Butler-Bowdon. (2007). 50 Psychology Classics. London: Nicolas Brealey Publishing. 4) Research Methods (don t get scared- just some information for those who want it!) Creswell, J. (2008). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3 rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication Important dates MAPP Student Representative Committee Meetings (for elected reps only) November 22 nd pm (AE. 2.06) March 7 th pm (AE. 2.06) June 25 th pm (AE. 2.06) Deadlines Pym708 Essay: Thursday December 5 th 2013 PYM708 Portfolio: Thursday April 3 rd, 2014 PYM709 Research Proposal: Monday September 1 st 2014 All assessments will be released a month following submission (unless this falls on a weekend and then will be released on Monday) Preparing for the programme This section will review the typical weekend you will experience to give you an idea of the MAPP structure.

5 Before the weekend What should you be doing before you come to class? You need to make sure you print out your lecture notes (posted 2-7 days before class) 1 in addition to checking room numbers for the lectures. These are subject to change, thus please look out for any paper signs posted throughout the reception halls for information. During the weekend As you know, we only have weekend teaching, once a month for part time and twice a month for full-time. The weekends roll over Friday 4-8 to Saturday 9-6:00. The weekends can be long days, especially after a long week at work, so make sure you prepare. Here are some tips to help you get through the weekend: 1) Bring snacks and water. There are water fountains located in the main reception opposite to the vending machines. 2) Move about when you can- go for a walk, stretch, get outside during breaks. 3) Interact and engage with the lessons and the lecturers. This will keep you awake and sharp. Below is a table of provisions and options for you to seek whilst in Stratford area: Provisions Help Options The Psychology help desk is located on the 1 st and 3rd floor of the Arthur Edwards building Library services Please contact subject librarian Graham Fennell Security Located at main entrance Parking Controlled by security at main entrance Computers Food on Campus Food in Stratford Accommodation in Stratford and Docklands IT help desk in CC computer bay Fridays: The green Cafeteria: Ground floor AE building Buzz café: Ground floor RB building (open until 4) Saturdays: Vending machines are located throughout campus Morrison s Sainsbury s Stratford centre Nandos Starbucks Westfield King eddies (Pub) Holiday inn Ibis (Romford road) Further accommodation along DLR (this is quite far however) 1 Please note that we will provide handouts for the first weekend of classes only.

6 Our teaching style We have an interactive, non-traditional teaching style. This will of course change according to who is teaching, but on the whole, we actively promote group discussions and challenging concepts, talking with, rather than at, you. You are expected to engage. We will also have seminars throughout the day and at the end to help you collate what you have learned over the weekend. After the weekend After you leave our doors, you are expected to complete 300 hours of extra reading per module (4 months) = hrs/week. These 300 hours include reading the relevant section on the comprehensive reading lists, reviewing lecture notes and writing assignments. You don t have to read ALL of the content on the reading lists, however make sure you review the core- must read- material and choose the additional reading based on interest, lecture, understanding and assignments. The staff team Dr. Kate Hefferon (Programme Leader) You can contact Kate via [email protected] Responsible for: PYM708 and generic issues regarding the course and modules. Dr. Itai Ivtzan (Programme Leader Distance Learning) You can contact Itai via [email protected] Responsible for: Distance Learning MAPP, PYM711 and generic issues regarding the course and modules. Dr. Tim Lomas (Module Leader PYM710) You can contact Tim via [email protected] Responsible for: PYM710 and generic issues regarding the course and modules. School information The school is based at UEL s Stratford campus in the Arthur Edwards Building (AE). The School s help desk is located on the first floor of the Arthur Edwards Building, in room AE Expert staff are on hand to advise students, who may borrow specialist equipment, pick up lecture notes and marked work, hand in assignments and make enquiries. If you have any questions prior to your arrival at UEL, please contact Marika Hemming, Admissions and Recruitment Officer for the School on or [email protected] School Address School of Psychology University of East London Stratford Campus Water Lane London E15 4LZ Visit: uel.ac.uk/psychology