The Science of Well-Being: FREE online course at Yale University

[David Baxter PhD]

The Science of Well-Being

Starts April 30, 2018

The Science of Well-Being, one of the most popular classes at Yale University with an estimated enrollment of 1,200 students per semester, is now available online — for free.

Taught by Professor Laurie Santos, The Science of Well-Being is designed to “not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice.”

From the website:



Taught by: Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology

The Science of Well-Being taught by Professor Laurie Santos overviews what psychological science says about happiness. The purpose of the course is to not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice. The first half of the course reveals misconceptions we have about happiness and the annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do. The second half of the course focuses on activities that have been proven to increase happiness along with strategies to build better habits.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction
Why take this course?
2 videos, 8 readings

• Reading: Welcome Letter
• Reading: Course Requirements
• Reading: Course Rewirements
• Reading: Coming Soon: ReWi App
• Reading: Pre-Course Survey
• Reading: Self-Assessment Part 1
• Video: Overview
• Video: Introduction & Background
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More

WEEK 2
Misconceptions About Happiness
What do we think will make us happy?
6 videos, 3 readings

• Reading: Savoring & Gratitude
• Video: G.I. Joe Fallacy
• Video: Part 1 - Good Job
• Video: Part 2 - Money
• Video: Part 3 - Awesome Stuff, True Love, Perfect Body & Good Grades
• Video: Annoying Features of the Mind
• Video: Question & Answer
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More

Graded: Week 2 Quiz


WEEK 3
Why Our Expectations are so Bad
Why do we mispredict what makes us happy?
6 videos, 3 readings

• Reading: Kindness & Social Connection
• Video: Annoying Feature #1
• Video: Annoying Feature #2
• Video: Annoying Feature #3
• Video: Annoying Feature #4
• Video: Annoying Features Summary
• Video: Question & Answer
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More

Graded: Week 3 Quiz


WEEK 4
How Can We Overcome Our Biases
How we counteract our annoying features of the mind?
4 videos, 3 readings

• Reading: Exercise and Sleep
• Video: Part 1 - Rethink "Awesome Stuff"
• Video: Part 2 - Thwart Hedonic Adaptation
• Video: Part 3 - Reset Your Reference Points
• Video: Overcome Biases Summary
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More

Graded: Week 4 Quiz


WEEK 5
Stuff that Really Makes Us Happy
What can we do to improve our happiness?
10 videos, 3 readings

• Reading: Meditation & Gratitude Visit
• Video: Good Job
• Video: Good Grades
• Video: Kindness
• Video: Interview with Elizabeth Dunn
• Video: Social Connection
• Video: Interview with Nicholas Epley
• Video: Time Affluence
• Video: Mind Control
• Video: Healthy Practices
• Video: Question & Answer
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More

Graded: Week 5 Quiz


WEEK 6
Putting Strategies into Practice
How can we intentionally put these strategies into practice and build healthier habits?
14 videos, 4 readings

• Reading: Self-Assessment Part 2
• Video: Part 1 - Situation Support
• Video: Part 2 - Goal Setting
• Video: Interview with Gabriele Oettingen
• Video: Question & Answer
• Reading: References & Notes
• Reading: Ways to Learn More
• Video: Recap & 4 Week Challenge
• Video: Sample 4 Week Challenges
• Reading: Post-Course Survey
• Video: Savoring
• Video: Gratitude
• Video: Kindness
• Video: Social Connection
• Video: Meditation
• Video: Sleep
• Video: Exercise
• Video: Goal Setting

Graded: Week 6 Quiz
Graded: 4 Week Challenge Reflection Paper


The course starts APRIL 30, 2018. Enroll HERE.