1

Introductions

Introduction

Introduction

2

Defining “Happiness”

Orientations: Why “Happiness”?

Reading:  “Satisfaction with Life Scale”

Exercise 1: Special Times and Places

3

Happiness and Mental Health

Impacts of Depression and Anxiety Reading:  “Prevalence of Mental Health Issues Around the World”

Exercise 2: Overcoming Negative Habits

4

Happiness and Physical Health

Healthy body, Healthy mind

Reading:  “Happiness on health and longevity”

Exercise 3: Daily Record of Healthy Behaviors

5

Happiness and Mindfulness

Religious and Philosophical Perspectives

Principles of Mindfulness

Exercise 4: Contemplative Practice Project Part I

6

Mindfulness and “Flow”

Cultivating “Small Happiness”

Contemplative Practice Project Part II

7

Discussion

8

Exam week

9

Gratitude and Mental Well-Being

Share what you care:  Someone you admire

Reading:  Robert Emmons, “Why Gratitude is Good”

Exercise 7: Three Good Things

10

Happiness and Material Wealth

Understanding Happiness

Reading: “Unfettered Capitalism”

Exercise 3: Sources of happiness other than material wealth

11

Birthrates and Employment

Happiness Impacts on Income and Productivity

Employment of College Graduates in the Era of Universal Higher Education

Exercise 6: Developing Personal Skills

12

Family and Social Support

Impacts of Happiness for Individual and Social Behavior

Volunteering Scavenger Hunt (group video)

Exercise 4: Pro-Social Behavior

13

Marriage and Sexuality

Gender and Happiness, Marriage and Divorce

Reading: “Love in Japan and Taiwan: Youth Perspectives on Marriage”

Essay 5: “Flight from Marriage”

14

Experiencing Happiness

Film, Discussion, and Essay: “Shall We Dance” (1996)

Essay 8: What are the lessons of this film?

15

Discovering Another Culture

Lessons in Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding

Seeing, Thinking, Feeling Exercise

16

Exam