PSY 300 Positive Psychology

Overview of Course

What does it mean to truly thrive? This course invites students beyond the boundaries of ordinary psychology, and often beyond borders entirely, to explore the science of human flourishing at its most expansive and transformative.
Grounded in cutting-edge research and theory, this course examines the strengths, happiness, meaning, and well-being that enable individuals and communities not just to survive but to thrive. Students will engage with foundational frameworks alongside the latest scholarship, while discovering how culture, spirituality, and resilience shape what flourishing looks like across richly diverse human experiences. From the psychology of gratitude and signature strengths to the neuroscience of optimism and the sociology of belonging, each topic opens new dimensions of what it means to live well.
Field-connected perspectives drawn from communities in Asia, Africa, and Europe bring the coursework vividly to life, moving positive psychology from the abstract into the beautifully concrete. These global touchpoints challenge students to interrogate assumptions, broaden their worldview, and appreciate the many cultural expressions of human strength and flourishing. Throughout the semester, students will explore questions such as “What makes life meaningful?” How do individuals cultivate resilience in the face of adversity? What does science tell us about lasting happiness, and how do those findings translate into real-world practice? Bridging research and practical, clinical implications, the course equips students with frameworks that extend well beyond the classroom and into diverse careers. This course will permanently enrich students' understanding of human potential, and perhaps how they choose to live their lives.