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Principles of Positive Psychology (EDUC90787)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Overview
Availability | March |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The Principles of Positive Psychology subject will explore the impetus behind the development of positive psychology as well as the theories and frameworks underpinning it. Problem-focused and strengths-based approaches to mental health will be distinguished and the merits and limits of each presented for critical evaluation. Some discussion about the various forms of well-being relating to hedonic and eudaimonic happiness will take place and distinctions between cognitive and affective and subjective and objective forms of happiness will also be made. This subject will provide an overview of some of the key factors associated with positive psychology and well-being, including positive emotions, engagement, meaning, accomplishment and relationships and introduce students to the relevance of these in different contexts and life domains. In particular, the available evidence behind each of these factors will be critically examined.
Intended learning outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale behind positive psychology.
- Articulate the fundamental objectives of positive psychology.
- Identify and analyse the key conceptual and theoretical frameworks underpinning positive psychology.
- Identify the contributions of other scholars from a range of disciplines and their influence on developing a positive approach to mental health.
- Differentiate between the various forms of well-being (cognitive and affective, subjective and objective).
- Distinguish between problem-focused and strengths-based approaches to mental health and well-being.
- Understand and apply a strengths-based approach to mental health issues.
- Discuss current issues in positive psychology and identify areas which require further scientific attention.
Generic skills
- Analytical and cognitive skills will be developed through critical evaluations of theoretical and empirical contributions.
- Innovative and creative thinking skills will be promoted by encouraging multidisciplinary perspectives and developments to be taken into account and synthesised.
- Written communication skills will be developed through the assignment work.
- Reflective thinking will be developed through diarising learning processes, growth and development experiences.
- Students will learn to synthesise a large volume of relevant conceptual and empirical works.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MC-APP)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Assessment
Additional details
There are four assessment tasks:
- 2,500 word critical review of a well-being theory. Due 1/3 of the way into semester, 25%
- Writing an article on positive psychology for a professional magazine/journal (3,000 words), due mid way through the semester, 30%
- On-line open book test (approx. 90 minutes). Due mid-late semester, 15%
- Journal of teaching intensive reflections (3,000 words). Due end of semester, 30%
This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Aaron Jarden Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours Total time commitment 340 hours Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period students will be required to complete reading that will be provided via LMS. Teaching period 1 March 2019 to 18 May 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 22 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2019 Assessment period ends 9 June 2019 March contact information
Time commitment details
340 hours.
Additional delivery details
Pre-teaching period:
During the pre-teaching period students will be required to complete reading that will be provided via LMS.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Applied Positive Psychology - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 10 February 2024