ES.S60 | Spring 2013 | Undergraduate

The Art and Science of Happiness

Course Description

This seminar looks at current theories on happiness and positive psychology as well as practical implications of those theories for our own lives. It explores the concept of happiness, different cultural definitions of happiness, and the connection between happiness, optimism, and meaning. Also explored are practical …

This seminar looks at current theories on happiness and positive psychology as well as practical implications of those theories for our own lives. It explores the concept of happiness, different cultural definitions of happiness, and the connection between happiness, optimism, and meaning. Also explored are practical strategies for creating more opportunities for happiness in our lives and for learning how to deal more effectively with sources of unhappiness.

This seminar is part of the Experimental Study Group at MIT.

Course Info

Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments with Examples
Activity Assignments
A quote about happiness is overlayed over a photo of a stream.
Finding one’s purpose in life can lead to happiness. This course explores theories of happiness. (Image courtesy of Claire Rowland on Flickr. CC BY)