Managing Happiness
Table of Contents
- Course Overview
- Learning Objectives
- Course Sections
- Grading and Certification
- Our Discussion Forum Guidelines
- HarvardX Honor Code
- Nondiscrimination statement
- Research Statement
Course Overview
What is happiness? What makes you happy? Can you get happier through study and effort?
Maybe you have pondered these questions over the course of your life, but haven’t been able to come up with any definitive answers. Still, you’d like to think that happiness is something you can understand and manage; right?
This is a class that answers these questions and shows you how you can use the answers to build a happier life. It introduces you to the modern science of human well-being and shows you how to practice it. Unlike other happiness courses, Managing Happiness goes a step further and demonstrates how you can share the ideas with others, thus bringing more happiness and love to the world and supercharging your own well-being efforts.
Led by Harvard professor, author, social scientist, and former classical musician Arthur Brooks, this course will introduce cutting-edge survey tools, the best research, and trends in social science, neuroscience, and philosophy to help learners unlock the strategies to create a more purposeful life, full of long-lasting enjoyment and satisfaction. Managing Happiness uses philosophical and technical insights to challenge your assumptions about happiness—helping you break bad habits that hold you back and build good ones you can use for the rest of your life.
Happiness is a core competency for those who want to be in charge of their lives, both personally and professionally. The concepts learned in this course will lead to enduring improvements and lifelong learning. At the end of the course, you will take away key concepts and actionable insights to apply to your daily routines. People around you will notice the difference.
Start getting happier today, with Managing Happiness.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Explore diverse definitions of happiness and understand its function in everyday life.
- Learn how genetic, social, and economic influences impact your happiness.
- Apply the science of the mind, body, and community to manage emotions and behaviors for greater happiness.
- Develop a happiness portfolio focused on your deepest goals and desires.
- Recognize how success and achievement impact short versus long-term happiness.
- Write your ending—build happiness strategies for your work and life at any age or stage.
Course Sections
Managing Happiness has six modules, which are released at once when the course is launched.
- Module 1: Introducing the Art and Science of Happiness
- Module 2: Science of Feeling and Emotion
- Module 3: Love and Relationships, Part 1
- Module 4: Love and Relationships, Part 2
- Module 5: Worldly Rewards
- Module 6: Building Your Future
Grading and Certification
This course has the following types of assignments:
Type | Description | Required/Optional | Grading Method | Percentage |
Concept Checks, Reflections/Journals, and Surveys | Short-form free response and multiple choice and true/false questions | Required | Automatically graded | 50 |
Discussion | Short-form free response posted to the discussion boards | Optional | Not graded | N/A |
Happiness Portfolio | A series of short activities at the end of each module | Required | Automatically graded | 50 |
Passing the Course, and Certification
The passing grade for this course is 40% (using the weights above).
Our Discussion Forum Guidelines (PDF)
These forums are intended for you to share your work and actively build community with other learners/participants in this course. We encourage you to share materials and ideas with other participants to solicit feedback, and foster a diverse network of learners interested in this topic.
In the spirit of creating an inclusive and engaged community, we offer the following recommendations about interacting with others in discussion forums:
- Be open to new ideas. Discussion is about hearing what others have to say and working to shape and reshape your own thoughts and perspectives. Different perspectives can further everyone’s understanding of the issue or concept being discussed—they represent opportunities for learning.
- Work to create group cohesion. Discussions are about group learning. When you function well as a group, you will be more open to all the benefits that this type of learning can offer. Give positive feedback to one another, use light humor, and avoid comments that could be taken as insulting.
- Enjoy yourself. The online environment comes with many benefits, including learning from your peers in addition to the course team. Take advantage of the opportunity offered by discussion forums to build networks with other learners and hone your skills and ideas.
If you encounter any issues with discussion forums in this course, please contact edX support for help:https://courses.edx.org/support/contact_us
Discussion Forums: FAQ
What is the purpose of the discussion boards?
The discussion boards are an opportunity for you to engage in conversation about what you are learning in this course. They provide you with a chance to express your own questions and comments about the course content and also to learn from your peers.
What should I write about in my discussion board posts?
Any questions, comments, or criticisms that arise directly from the course content are proper subjects for discussion in the forum. Feel free to ask about or comment on anything you think is important or interesting in the course.
Who can participate in the discussion forum?
Anyone who is registered for the course can participate in the discussion forums.
When should I participate in the forums? When can I post comments and questions?
You can post to the forums at whatever time you wish during the course.
How frequently should I post to the forums?
You can post as frequently or infrequently as you like. Try not to monopolize the discussion forum, but strive to spark new discussions and contribute to existing discussions.
Tag your posts. If there is an issue that absolutely needs staff attention, put the word [STAFF] in brackets in your subject line. Course staff will be in the forums every day, but sometimes it may take up to two days to get a response, especially around holidays!
Honor Code Statement
HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circ*mstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.
Nondiscrimination/Anti-harassment Statement
Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.
Research Statement
HarvardX pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.
