Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | PSY-2280-VO01 - Positive Psychology

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Patricia Cook
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course examines factors under which humans are best able to thrive, providing tools and practices for healthy living. Positive psychology focuses on positive human growth and potential. Students explore how the principles of Positive Psychology relate to the overall well-being of individuals and communities.

Essential Objectives

1. Examine the aim and scope of positive psychology, including its origins and relationship to the wider field of Psychology.
2. Discuss and analyze research topics in the field of Positive Psychology, including physical and mental health, resilience, well-being, and character.
3. Examine the value of work, family and community relationships and their impact on resilience, motivation, and wellbeing.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data as applied to human behavior.
5. Apply evidence-based tools and intervention strategies found in the field of Positive Psychology.
6. Explore the career opportunities available in the field of Positive Psychology.
7. Examine the limitations of this field as they relate to social and personal inequities, including the ways those inequities may influence an individual’s ability to realize positive human growth and potential.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

Positive Psychology / Instructor:Patricia Cook, Ed.D

The best way to contact me is through Canvas Message.

Email: patricia.cook@ccv.edu

Welcome: Welcome to Positive Psychology

Intro: Positive Psychology is not a spectator sport. It is an active online community of supportive classmates.Students have called this class life changing. I hope it is for you and at the end of the semester, you’ll be able to say what you learned helped develop and increase your sense of well-being, optimism, and flourishing. This will not be an easy A where we talk about being happy all the time (although we do learn about happiness research-grin).

This course examines the scientific research on the best factors under which humans can thrive. Positive psychology focuses on helping people understand and enhance their strengths and virtues so that they may lead fulfilling lives. Rather than emphasizing mental disorders and problems, positive psychology focuses on how individuals cultivate positive well-being and life satisfaction. I like to call it the study of everything that can go right with people-grin.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Evaluation % Grading:

55% Discussion Forums / 25% Variety Assignments / 10% Individual Project / 10% Quizzes

Discussion Forums-Posts AND Responses 55%

• The Discussion Forum is based on exploring and applying what we’re learning about that week through the readings, videos, and podcasts.

• The Discussion Forum is a big % of your grade…it is where a lot of the learning happens.
• I break % down as follows: 70% your post and 30% your responses to others’ posts.
• You’re required to reply to at least 4 others’ posts. At least 3 of those responses need to connect to course materials.
• Ultimately, the discussion forum experiences become real conversations in which questions and ideas are connected to one another and the course materials.
• You must post before you're able to read and respond to other posts in the discussion forum.
• I close Discussion Forums for comments the start of the following week. If you have issues with a deadline, reach out to me; if you contact me ahead, I’m almost always willing to work something out with you.

Variety Assignments: 25%

Variety assignments include things such as journals, choice assignments, mini-experiments, Positive Psychology Interventions, and other learning activities.

Quizzes: 10%

There are a few quizzes to assess understanding of the important ideas. Students can accessthe quizzes unlimited times. They are open book and not timed.

Individual Project: 10%

The individual project is an opportunity to creatively review and present your learning throughout the semester.

Notes about Grading / I’m looking for:

• timely and thoughtful completion of assignments
• careful reading, watching and listening
• integration of course materials and learning & thoughtful connections with others’ ideas
• overall progress in terms of using my feedback to improve the quality of your assignments.

Books & Other Course Material Information:

THERE ARE NO REQUIRED BOOKS FOR THIS CLASS.

We have 2 primary textbooks for this class; both will be available through the Canvas site so you don’t have to buy them. However, I know some students like to have an actual book especially since we read all the books. I know students also buy them to have a break from screen time. You can find both books for a very reasonable price. If you do want to order, here is info:

• Positive Psychology in a Nutshell: The science of happiness (3^rd edition) by Ilona Boniwell (McGraw Hill: Open University Press, 2012)
• The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief: A Character Strengths Approach to Finding Calm in the Chaos of Daily Life by Ryan Niemiec (New Harbinger Publications, 2019)

Additional required activities, readings, videos, and podcasts will be posted in Canvas and are also an important part of the class.

Very Important:

• One key element that's essential for this class to be fun, useful, and fulfilling for all of us: we must make connections. We must quickly become a trusting community of learners; a small group of people walking in the same direction to achieve a common goal: a more complete understanding of and approach to Positive Psychology and the science of well-being.
• I always give you feedback on all your assignments. Make sure to read and/or listen to my feedback and use it to improve your work.
• Pay attention to details, due dates, and instructions (many assignments have a specific format and multiple parts).
• Take notes on the readings, videos and podcasts.
• Use proper netiquette when interacting with me and your classmates.
• Don't wait until the last minute to alert me to a problem you're having.
• Read all emails or Canvas messages that I or the college send you.

• Use APA guidelines to cite work. I will teach you and work with you about correct citations, and I expect that you will be correctly following APA citation format by the 3^rd week.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Policy on Submission Timing and Lateness: In the rare case that a student is unable to submit an assignment on time, please contact me as soon as reasonably possible, and no later than the time at which the assignment is due. Students who do not submit an assignment on time and do not communicate with me prior to the time of the assignment due date will have points deducted.

Important:I do my very best to be understanding, encouraging, flexible and discreet. Still,I am not a mind reader and I have to be fair to all students. If you're having problems and they are affecting your ability to focus and succeed, you need to contact me sooner rather than later.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity