This course provides a scientific investigation into the psychological nature, measurement, antecedents, and consequences of human happiness and well-being. Questions addressed include: What is happiness, how is it measured, what makes us truly happy, and how should we pursue happiness? The course will cover contemporary psychological approaches to the science of happiness including the conceptualization and measurement of happiness, psychosocial and psychobiological mechanisms, and evidence-based factors that promote and hinder the pursuit of happiness and mental well-being. The overarching aim of this course is to engage students in a summary of current theoretical and empirical work on the science of well-being and discover precisely how cutting-edge research can be applied to support a good life.
