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PSYC 453 Positive Psychology: Getting Started

Resources for your study of positive psychology

Online Encyclopedia

Online Books

Journal of Positive Psychology

Issues of The Journal of Positive Psychology from 1997 to date are available to Pepperdine through the Taylor & Francis Social Science & Humanities Library

Handbook

Web Sites

Subject Guide

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Elizabeth Parang
elizabeth.parang@pepperdine.edu
Contact:
Pepperdine University Libraries
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90263
310-506-4046

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the field of Positive Psychology. The course will survey the foundations of the field including positive experiences and factors contributing to the “good life” such as happiness, life satisfaction, and well-being. Emphasis will focus on core human character strengths and virtues including wisdom, optimism, hope, humility, love, altruism, forgiveness, gratitude, and transcendence. The course is designed to explore these concepts, research and assessment behind these concepts, exercises to apply these concepts, and techniques to enhance character strengths and virtues. The format of the course will be didactic, experiential, and interactive and will include assigned readings to create an environment conducive to learning new concepts, skills, and applications.