Positive Psychology Syllabus Fall 2015 Class: PSYC 470: Positive Psychology (3) Professor: Karen J. KJ Hummel, Ph.D. Time: TR 12:10 1:25 Phone: 714-619-6441 Final: T - 12/8/15 10:30 12:30 Office: Psychology Department Location: Heath 108 Office Hrs: M: 11-2; T: 1:30-3:15; Email: khummel@vanguard.edu Th: 10:30 11:45, and by appointment DESCRIPTION OF COURSE Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the factors that make one s life fulfilling. The course explores such concepts as happiness, meaning, flow, values, strengths, and virtues as they relate to an individual s ability to thrive, in turn affecting the health and well-being of family and society. Topics will be presented and evaluated in the context of Christian faith. PREREQUISITES General Psychology (PSYC 103C) COURSE FULFILLMENT This course meets upper division elective requirements for psychology majors and upper division elective units for all other majors. TEXTS Compton, W. C., & Hoffman, E. (2013). Positive psychology; The science of happiness and flourishing (2 nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. DISABILITY SERVICES The Office of Disability and Learning Services provides reasonable accommodations for students who need assistance with learning, and for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your professor(s) and Disability and Learning Services. If you have a temporary or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but not limited to; attention-related, learning, mental health, vision, hearing, physical or other health conditions), please contact The Office of Disability and Learning Services at 714-619-6550 or disabilityservices@vanguard.edu 1
WRITING CENTER HEATH 214 Writing Center Consultants work with students one-on-one at any stage of the writing process. They can help organize notes, develop outlines, revise thesis statements, and work on various aspects of your revision. Our Christ-centered, culturally responsive, collaborative learning environment offers constructive feedback with the long-term goals of improved writing and critical thinking skills. The Writing Center is located in Heath 214 and is available Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 9a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed during Chapel Hour. Appointments are required. LEARNING OUTCOMES Vanguard University Psychology Student Learning Outcomes may be found at the following link: http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/psychology-student-learning-outcomes/ The specific outcomes for this course are: v Students will use critical thinking to evaluate scholarly research and its popular interpretations rationally, in light of valid evidence and the scientific approach (PSYC SLO 3) through completion of the Annotated Bibliography. v Students will apply psychological principles to practical issues (PSYC SLO 4) through the Application Exercises and the Self Review. v Students will demonstrate communication skills through writing in an established scientific format (APA) (PSYC SLO 6) through the Annotated Bibliography and Book Report and they will gain practice in oral communication through ongoing discussion groups based on course topics and assignments. v Students will practice cultural competency and citizenship (PSYC SLO 7) through Application Exercises and discussion. v Students will integrate a Christian worldview with knowledge of psychology (PSYC 8) through the Mindfulness Journal and the Self Review. 2
CLASSROOM DIVERSITY STATEMENT As students and faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California, and foremost as Christian believers, we endeavor to communicate with honesty and confidentiality, to speak with encouraging and edifying words, and to create a safe environment where we shelter one another with love when vulnerabilities arise. This classroom intends to foster a Christ-centered community that promotes appreciation and respect for individuals, enhances the potential of its members, and values differences in gender, ethnicity, race, abilities, and generation. GENERAL CLASS POLICIES 1. Attendance Attendance is very important and will affect participation points earned. 2. In order to maintain a learner-friendly classroom environment, students are asked and expected to refrain from use of electronic devices of any type, including laptops, phones, etc. Presence of these items will result in attendance point deductions. If special circumstances necessitate use of laptop for note-taking only, please see instructor for permission. 3. Late Assignments All late assignments will result in a loss of 5% for being handed in one class session late and a 10% loss for being handed in one week late. Except for extreme circumstances, papers will not be accepted after one week beyond the due date. A student MUST contact the professor BEFORE class to arrange turning in a late assignment. If a student does not complete an assignment on-time without first contacting the professor, then the student will likely receive zero points for that assignment. 4. All assignments (other than journals) must be typed (unless otherwise specified). 5. If an assignment is being submitted through email, it is the student s responsibility to ensure that the email was received. If the student does not receive a reply from the instructor indicating that the assignment was received, it is to be assumed that it was not received, and the student must follow-up on turning in the work. 6. IMPORTANT: Work must be ORIGINAL; plagiarism is a very serious offense, will likely lead to failure of assignment, and may even lead to failure of course or expulsion from the university (please see current University Catalog). If students have any questions about what is or is not plagiarism, they should be sure to consult instructor BEFORE submitting assignment. 3
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS Application Exercises Students will be given specific exercises to complete throughout the course in order to apply class concepts directly to living. After completing the exercise, students will write a summary of their experience and bring to class on selected dates, where write-ups will be collected and potentially be relevant for the discussion of the day. There will be a total of 10 exercises, and each write-up will be worth 25 points. (250 points total) Mindfulness Journal Students will maintain on ongoing journal during the semester reflecting on course topics and observing how the material may be apparent in their lives. It may be helpful to focus on an aspect of self (attitude, behavior, relationship) that you would like to modify or foster. Ten of the entries will be checked for credit during various class meetings but will not be read. All entries must be dated and may be handwritten in a notebook. As a guideline (not a requirement), entries should be about a page and a half (standard size pages). Each of the ten entries will be worth 10 points. Please note: the journal will be instrumental in completing the Self-Review assignment. (100 points total) Book Report Students will read a book and write a 4-6 page APA style report consistent with the following specifications. Students should choose a book that is related to Positive Psychology. If you are in doubt at all that your book is appropriate, please check in with me to clear your book choice. The following are examples of several potential choices: Daring Greatly Brené Brown The Resilience Factor Karen Reivich Stumbling on Happiness Daniel Gilbert Flourish Martin E P Seligman Man's Search for Meaning Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong Viktor E. Frankl John O Donohue The Science of Happiness Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End Stefan Klein Atul Gawande The Discovery of Being Rollo May Conscious Love Richard Smoley Toward a Psychology of Being Abraham Maslow Flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi While reading your book and writing your paper, please focus on the following questions: What is (are) the main point(s) that the author is trying to communicate? What information from this book can you directly apply to your life? How can what you read be integrated with your faith? Did this work raise further questions or areas of interest for you? (Please elaborate.) To what populations would you or would you not recommend this book? 4
The following will be considered in grading your book report: Content Accurate presentation of the information in the book Coherent organization of information Engagement of the material, potentially including questions, points of interest, critical comments, application opportunities, faith alignment, and possible areas for future research Quality of writing Clarity of language use Correct grammar and spelling Proper flow of writing and transitions APA style Proper citations (where necessary) Proper formatting Additional sources - In writing your report, you are not required to use material in additional to the book; however, you may choose to do so if you would like. If other sources are used, be sure to include a reference page following APA guidelines and cite all references within the body of your paper. (200 points) Self-Review Students will write a reflection paper (minimum 5 pages) focusing on how they are different upon ending this course than they were upon beginning the course. You may include specific information you learned in the course that was particularly relevant to you, but be sure to discuss what you have learned about yourself, about how you have been, and about how you want to be. How has your faith been affected and how has your view of life been affected? What are some changes in you regarding your attitudes, behaviors, and relationships over the past semester that may be related to this course? Which Application Exercises were most meaningful to you and why? You may find it useful to refer to your Journal and the write-ups of your Application Exercises (as well as other course components) in composing your review. (200 points) Final Exam Students will be given a take-home exam that will be due during the scheduled Final Exam time. The exam will cover a cumulative range of course material, and will consist of 50 multiplechoice questions. This exam should be completed independently by each student. (100 points) Attendance and Participation Attendance will be taken, and points will be assigned according to presence in class and active participation in group and class discussions. Ten points will automatically be deducted for each class discussion session missed. (150 points) 5
DESCRIPTION OF EVALUATION Students in this course will be evaluated by the College s 4.0 grading system. You should refer to the Student Handbook for further details on the grading system. The following criteria will be used in determining the student s grade: Assignment Points Due Date Application Exercises 250 Various* see below Mindfulness Journal 100 Various* see below Book Report 200 11/5/15 Self Review 200 12/3/15 Final Exam 100 12/8/15 Attendance / Participation 150 Each class meeting TOTAL POINTS: 1000 Application Exercises and Mindfulness Journal due: 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/12, and 11/24. GRADE SCALE Points Letter Grade Significance Grade Point Average (GPA) 930 1000 A Exceptional 4.00 900 929 A- 3.67 870 899 B+ 3.33 830 869 B Above Average 3.00 800 829 B- 2.67 770 799 C+ 2.33 730 769 C Average 2.00 700 729 C- 1.67 670 699 D+ 1.33 630 669 D Below Average 1.00 600 629 D- 0.67 0 599 F Failure 0.00 6
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CLASS SCHEDULE FALL, 2015 DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT DUE 8/25/15 Introduction to Class None 8/27/15 Discussion Group 9/1/15 Introduction to Positive Psychology Chapter 1 9/3/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 9/8/15 Characters, Strengths, & Virtues 9/10/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 9/15/15 Emotion, Motivation, and Well-Being Chapter 2 9/17/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 9/22/15 Subjective and Optimal Well-Being Chapters 3 and 9 9/24/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 9/29/15 Leisure, Flow, Mindfulness, Performance Chapter 4 10/1/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 10/6/15 Happiness / Altruism -- Video 10/8/15 Discussion Group 10/13/15 Love and Well-Being and Belonging Chapter 5 10/15/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 10/20/15 Relationship and Communication 10/22/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 10/27/15 Creativity Chapter 7 10/29/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 11/3/15 Regrets, Resiliency, & Coping Chapter 6 11/5/15 Discussion Group Book Report DUE 11/10/15 Existentialism & Meaning Chapter 9 11/12/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 11/17/15 Humanism / Identity Chapter 9 11/19/15 Religion, Spirituality, & Well-Being Chapter 10 11/24/15 Discussion Group Exercise Due & Journal Due 11/26/15 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NO CLASS 12/1/15 Positive Psychology of Work Chapter 11 12/3/15 Closing Discussion Group Self-Review DUE 12/8/15 FINAL EXAM 10:30 12:30 FINAL EXAM DUE 7
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