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Stand Alone Module
Introduction to Positive Psychology
Level 7
30 Credits
- Duration:
- Three weekends (Saturday & Sunday) plus one further day
- Start Dates:
- 10 March 2012 (please note revised dates)
- Attendance:
- 10-11 Mar, 31 Mar-1Apr, 5-6 May
- Venue:
- High Wycombe Campus
- Cost:
- £500
- Key Contact:
- The Enquiries Team
- Tel:
- 01494 603171
- Email:
- ask@bucks.ac.uk
- Key Contact:
- Please note this module is subject to validation
Is this course suitable for me?
This module is such that it may be of interest to established professionals in a range of professions. This may include: human resources, organisation development and coaches in different disciplines, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, teachers and medical professionals. This comprises the opening module of the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology scheduled to begin in October 2012.
Overview
This module will provide an introduction and broad overview to the central topic areas of positive psychology, including the concepts of flourishing, well-being and happiness. The material covered will include:
• an overview of the development of positive psychology and the range of research and writing that has occurred since its inception;
• a comparison and contrast of the concepts of ‘flourishing’, well-being (eg Seligman 2011 and Keyes 2010) and happiness (Myers 1992);
• an exploration of how concepts and experiences of flourishing and well-being link to other areas of positive psychology, and can be supported through them;
• a comparison and contrast of ‘hedonistic’ and ‘eudemonic’ concepts of flourishing, well-being and happiness;
• an exploration of how concepts of flourishing may link to the nature of ‘health’, and the achievement of change and recovery within individual lives;
• a personal project whereby students identify and undertake an exploration of one aspect of positive psychology within their own life context;
• a critical exploration and evaluation of ‘positive’ and ‘business as usual’ psychology to achieve a realistic balance and link between the two disciplines;
• an identification of the place and contribution of positive psychology theory to particular professional roles, organisational function and operation.
What will I learn?
This module provides the opportunity for you to:
• develop an understanding, vocabulary and skill in identification of positive personal and human development in a range of settings;
• identify a profile of your primary ‘strengths’;
• experientially explore an area of positive psychology theorising of your choice;
• learn how experiential exploration and practice of positive psychology concepts and tools becomes a concrete and skilled position from which to teach and coach others to use them;
• undertake structured developmental activity focused on the growth of your personal flourishing, well-being or happiness;
• develop a reflective capacity to identify and systematically grow or develop aspects of human strength.
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• achieve a systematic and comprehensive understanding of three primary theories and structures of flourishing, well-being and happiness;
• critically understand and analyse theories of flourishing, well-being and happiness and identify further potential for your development;
• critically understand the potential of positive psychology to contribute to individual development via a personal project and reflective evaluation;
• achieve a broad overview and understanding of the current areas of positive psychology theorising.
Teaching and learning
You will be encouraged to identify an aspect of each subject ie flourishing, well-being or happiness, that is relevant to you and explore this in the context of your own lives via a personal project.
You will also engage in a variety of other activities, including analysis of key readings, exercises on systematic literature reviewing and critiquing journal articles, group discussions, debates, videos and / or practical activities.
A range of summative assessment methods will be employed on this course, as follows:
• Oral Presentations will permit you to share and discuss personal projects while demonstrating your communication skills.
• Secondary Research Reports / Essays will provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate in-depth understanding of a particular aspect of your learning. It will encourage you to engage in conducting a systematic literature review and provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate your capacity to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate the principles, processes, policies and debates inherent in the material, and to present a rational, coherent, information-based argument and evidenced based solutions to problems. In some modules, you will be asked to prepare this as an article submission to a journal for publication.
• Reflexive logs (and blogs) will enable you to develop your reflexive learning skills which are crucial to the professional practice of community psychology. The use of blogs will enable you to develop your IT skills whilst also addressing summative issues in your learning.
Entry requirements
Applicants would normally have achieved 2:1 in a social science degree. A first degree in psychology is not a pre-requisite for this programme
Alternatively we will consider applications from professionals with training in one of the disciplines mentioned in sections above.
How to make an application
Please contact the Recruitment Officer on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk.
Students funded by the NHS or other employer
If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.