Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Wellbeing, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

After completing the course students should have achieved the following learning objectives:

In the areas of knowledge and understanding:

• identify and describe research methods which are predominantly used in positive psychology
• identify and compare strengths and weakness of the different research methods which are used as well as to identify the methods used in the scientific literature
• use and explain the basic principles for the planning, execution, discussion and presentation of a positive psychology research/experiment
• describe different concepts, definitions, and theories within positive psychology
• critically compare the different perspectives
• actively discuss and identify how positive psychology can be applied
• actively discuss and identify gender and multicultural aspects within the area of positive psychology
• actively show knowledge about social psychological phenomena within the area of positive psychology
• actively show deep knowledge in one or several areas of positive psychology in a scientific report.

Within the areas of comprehension and approach:

• write a laboratory report using scientific and professional language, relevant research methods and design, appropriate statistical analyses, ethics
• interpret and critically analyze ones scientific results in relation to earlier research and theories
• professionally identify and describe weakness and strengths with ones and others design and research methods
• identify and actively follow the different ethical guidelines that one must consider in the field.

Within the area of skills and abilities:

• discuss, produce, and present scientific work independently within a group
• discuss and critically analyze the scientific work of other classmate's work in a professional and ethical manner
• prepare a critical analysis of other scientific works
• actively participate and independently discuss scientific work in seminar
• show academic honesty in scientific writing and in oral discussions
• consistently follow the formal writing guidelines within the field of psychology.

Main content of the course

Lectures and seminars in positive psychology, 12 credits with laboratory work in positive psychology, 3 credits

The course covers theories within positive psychology with emphasis on the integration of personality, biological, cognitive and social factors. The course includes theoretical, empirical and historical surrounding the field as well as common methodological approaches used within the field. The focus will be on health promotion from an individual, group and society perspective. The concepts include coping skills, happiness, well-being, creativity, community involvement and positive emotions. Gender and cultural perspectives will be addressed throughout the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars. Lectures and seminars are conducted in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Positive Psychology, 12 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination

Laboratory work in Positive Psychology, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Final Scientific Paper, written Report in group with Discussion and opponent

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Positive Psychology
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Laboratory work in Positive Psychology
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E, or G where applicable, is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required reading

Compton, William C. & Hoffman, Edward 2013/2 ed (International edition)
Positive psychology: The science of happiness and flourishing
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 381 pages

Lopez, Shane J., Pedrotti, T. Jennifer & Snyder, Charles R. 2014/3 ed
Positive Psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths
SAGE Publications Inc, 571 pages

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Scientific articles, about 250 pages.
Last editions applies to the literature.