270130 Positive Psychology (S) (SoSe 2011)

This English language course offers students the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to communicate effectively in English for both personal and professional success. It is centered around topics of interest for psychology students and features speaking practice at various levels:
- interpersonal communication
- small group discussions
- debates and speaking in public
Students will also practice writing in a variety of academic contexts such as reports and essays. Emphasis is stressed on summarizing and discussing texts of the research field "Positive Psychology". The seminar will examine the contemporary movement in psychology known as positive psychology. What is positive psychology? One of our initial and ongoing challenges this term is to address that question to become familiar with current visions of positive psychology and to consider alternatives and future directions for positive psychology. At a quite general level, positive psychology can be described as an effort to use the tools of rigorous science to help us understand the sources and nature of positive human strengths, characteristics, resources, and aspirations. One aim of this effort is to use this knowledge to promote the development of those positive features of human psychology, by guiding both individuals and the institutions within which they function.

Requirements for participation, required level

Advanced English language skills. Min. 5 years English at school. Please send me an E-mail (marijana.vasilj@uni-bielefeld.de ) if you want to register for this course.

Bibliography

will be announced in class

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discusses her new book, "Positivity" that focuses on what positivity is, and why it needs to be heartfelt to be effective

External comments page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds_9Df6dK7c