Instructions
Identify an area of personal study or interest and discuss its intersection with positive psychology:
1. Choose a social cause that you are passionate about (e.g., racial equity, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change) and incorporate your knowledge of positive psychology to inform potential solutions to these social problems.
… OR ….
2. Discuss how your knowledge of positive psychology can be used to enrich professional practice in a field of your choosing (e.g., business, marketing, education, film, theatre, public administration).
A shortcut to this topic is: Considering positive psychologys aim to enhance human flourishing worldwide, how can the field make a significant impact on promoting healthy environments and institutions? We want you to think big and dream, using empirically-based constructs of positive psychology to support your vision. An example: Individuals, homes, businesses, and communities are working to support environmentally friendly living. Positive psychology can help by… (And then describe the ways in which PERMA, and/or self- regulation, and/or goal-setting, etc. can support this effort). Please do not focus on achievements that we have already discussed in class (i.e. the work of Dweck in education).
This assignment will no longer take the form of a 4-5 page paper. Instead, you may choose whichever format you prefer to present your thoughts and ideas in response to the above prompt. For example, you can choose to create a campaign flyer, a public announcement in the form of a video presentation, an informational brochure, or some kind of artistic representation (song, drawing, painting). This is a non-exhaustive list of options that you may consider. Check in with your TA if you would like help brainstorming an idea.
You will be graded on:
your ability to clearly communicate the message of how positive psychology can promote healthy environments and institutions, either through solutions to social justice issues or in a professional field of your choosing;
your ability to ground your message in evidence from course readings and concepts;
your creativity and vision (i.e., presenting unique and original ideas that move beyond course readings, lectures, and class discussions).
