ISI - PSYC 3600 - Positive Psychology

Course Description

Positive Psychology covers the scientific study of human strengths, life fulfillment, and optimal functioning. Topics include well-being, happiness, optimism, resilience, positive relationships, life meaning, gratitude, and positive development across the lifespan.

In this course we will examine the fundamentals of positive psychology, with an emphasis on the development of strengths and virtues, positive emotion, positive cognition, prosocial behavior, positive interventions, and positive environments. You will gain an understanding of the field of positive psychology, which is the study of optimal human functioning, including individual strengths and values, such as optimism, resilience and courage.

We will also explore subtopics, such as perceptions of meaning in life, close relationships, career development, and positive psychology interventions. You will gain an understanding of scientific research relating to different dimensions of happiness and subjective well-being and will be able to implement positive psychology-based concepts in their everyday life.

Learner Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the history, aims, and scope of positive psychology.
• Recall terminology, concepts, and theories in positive psychology.
• Critically examine a growing body of research on happiness, subjective well-being, and character strengths.
• Assess what kinds of experiences fulfill people, what human characteristics lead to personal effectiveness, and what social conditions appear to elicit these qualities and experiences.
• Evaluate one’s own well-being, strengths, and limitations based on the information covered in class.
• Apply positive psychology to important domains in one’s life and in the lives of others with whom you interact.

The lectures, textbook, assignments and exams are designed to reflect these goals.

Required Course Materials

Lopez, S., Teramoto Pedrotti, J., & Snyder, C. R. (2014). Positive Psychology, The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage. ISBN: 1452276439

View Course Syllabus

Expected Course Timeline

Most ISI courses are designed so that students can complete them within 3 months to 1 year. If you are attempting to complete a course more quickly than this, please contact ISI to explore your options.

Sponsor Institution

Credits earned for this course are included in a University of Idaho transcript.

This is an INDEPENDENT STUDY IN IDAHO course

To learn about program and refund policies, visit www.uidaho.edu/isi.

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COURSE NUMBER NOTICE
Beginning with the 2025-2026 Catalog year, the University of Idaho transitioned to 4-digit course numbers. As ISI works through this transition, you may continue to see 3-digit course numbers during this time. A crosswalk is available online.