Course Outline

Course Name: Positive Psychology for Academic and Career Success (GPSY 100)

Academic Period: 2024 - 2025

Faculty:

Faculty Availability:

Associate Dean:
Christina Meredith
christina.meredith@humber.ca

Schedule Type Code:

Land Acknowledgement

Humber College is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok [A-doe-bee-goke], the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig [Mi-Chee Saw-Geeg] language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe [Ah-nish-nah-bay], Haudenosaunee [Hoeden-no-shownee], and Wendat [Wine-Dot] peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (Humber) are leaders in providing a learning, working and living environment that recognizes and values equity, diversity and inclusion in all its programs and services. Humber commits to reflect the diversity of the communities the College serves. Students, faculty, support and administrative staff feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to be their authentic selves.

Faculty or Department	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Program(s)	General Arts and Science - College Transfer (09181) General Arts and Science - Technology (09071) General Arts and Science - Degree Transfer (Certificate) (GA111) General Arts and Science - University Transfer (Diploma) (09111) Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (PH111)
Course Name:	Positive Psychology for Academic and Career Success (GPSY 100)
Pre-Requisites	none
Co-Requisites	none
Pre-Requisites for	none
Equates	none
Restrictions	none
Credit Value	3
Total Course Hours	42

	Developed By:	Prepared By:	Approved by:
			Christina Meredith

Humber Learning Outcomes (HLOs) in this course.

The HLOs are a cross-institutional learning outcomes strategy aimed at equipping Humber graduates with the employability skills, mindsets, and values they need to succeed in the future of work. To explore all the HLOs, please consult the Humber Learning Outcomes framework.

Communication
Professionalism

Course Description

Positive psychology is a scientific approach to understanding human happiness and well-being. In this course, students will explore the foundations of positive psychology and apply the theories to their academic, personal, and professional lives. Students will critically examine important topics in positive psychology, including well-being and happiness, managing emotions and self-control, coping and resiliency, developing strengths, finding meaning and purpose, understanding self-concept, motivation, and success. Through exercises, workshops, projects, and discussions, students will explore how positive psychology principles can be utilized and applied to their academic lives and gain an understanding of the role that their behaviors and interactions play in their current and future success.

Course Rationale

By the end of this course, students will have explored their own academic and personal challenges and strengths and developed strategies for meeting the academic expectations of post-secondary institutions using the principles of positive psychology.

Program Outcomes Emphasized in this Course

General Arts and Science - College Transfer (09181)

Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.

General Arts and Science - Technology (09071)

Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.

General Arts and Science - Degree Transfer (Certificate) (GA111)

Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.

General Arts and Science - University Transfer (Diploma) (09111)

Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.

Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (PH111)

Prepare a personal strategy and plan for academic, career and professional development in the health sciences or other science-related fields.

Course Learning Method(s)

Seminar
Lecture
Online

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of metacognitive learning strategies, grounded in learning science, that lead to academic and professional success.
Explain how theories related to self-concept, self-efficacy, and self-esteem can be used to promote positive functioning in oneself.
Select coping strategies to create a personal strategy for managing stress and anxiety and developing resiliency using positive psychology interventions.
Apply concepts of self-regulation, emotional well-being, and emotional intelligence to a variety of personal and academic scenarios.
Explain how personal values and beliefs relate to an individual’s meaning and purpose and create an education and career plan that aligns with their values, goals, beliefs, and needs and is supported by decision-making strategies.
Discuss how personal strengths can be identified and leveraged for academic achievement and personal fulfillment.
Assess the basic theories of positive psychology, including those related to happiness and well-being, flourishing and flow, and their application to a variety of personal, cultural, and professional situations and contexts.

Assessment Weighting

Assessment	Weight
Test
Test	10%
Writing Assignment
Midterm Project	15%
Research Project
Final Project	20%
Reflective Activity
Online Reflection	40%
Instructor-Created Assessments
Discussion and Collaboration Activities	10%
In-class Activity
Midterm Reflection Activity	5%
Total	100%

Modules of Study

Module	Course Learning Outcomes	Assessments
Module 1 Introduction to Positive Psychology	Demonstrate knowledge of metacognitive learning strategies, grounded in learning science, that lead to academic and professional success.	Test Online Reflection Discussion and Collaboration Activities Final Project
Module 2 Theories of The Self	Explain how theories related to self-concept, self-efficacy, and self-esteem can be used to promote positive functioning in oneself. Discuss how personal strengths can be identified and leveraged for academic achievement and personal fulfillment.	Online Reflection Discussion and Collaboration Activities Midterm Project Final Project
Module 3 Developing Resiliency and Overcoming Challenges	Select coping strategies to create a personal strategy for managing stress and anxiety and developing resiliency using positive psychology interventions.	Online Reflection Discussion and Collaboration Activities Final Project
Module 4 Theories of Motivation and Success	Apply concepts of self-regulation, emotional well-being, and emotional intelligence to a variety of personal and academic scenarios.	Online Reflection Discussion and Collaboration Activities Final Project
Module 5 Finding Meaning and Purpose	Explain how personal values and beliefs relate to an individual’s meaning and purpose and create an education and career plan that aligns with their values, goals, beliefs, and needs and is supported by decision-making strategies.	Online Reflection Discussion and Collaboration Activities Final Project

Required Resources

Name
Hart, R. (2021). Positive psychology: the basics. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Boniwell, I. (2012). Positive psychology in a nutshell: the science of happiness (3rd ed.). McGraw Hill Open University Press.

Supplemental Resources

Name
Baumgardner, S. R., & Crothers, M. K. (2009). Positive Psychology.
Maddoux, J.E., & Kleiman, E.M (2005). Self-Efficacy: The power of believing you can. In C.R. Snyder & S.J. Lopez (Eds.). Handbook of positive psychology (443-452). Oxford University Press.
Wade, J. C., Marks, L. I., & Hetzel, R. D. (2015). Positive Psychology on the College Campus. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
Watkins, P. C. (Philip C. (2017). Positive psychology 101 ([Enhanced Credo edition]). Springer Publishing Company.

Essential Skills

Section	Skills	Measurement	Details
Communication	Reading Writing Listening	Teach and measure	Students will have ample opportunities to read course material and communicate learning in writing. They will receive feedback from instructors throughout term. Clarity in communication, proficiency of understanding, and accuracy of referencing will be evaluated for all written assignments and reflections.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving	Analysing Synthesizing	Teach and measure	Students will be taught how to apply concepts of positive psychology to real-world scenarios to produce understanding. Evaluation will take place through quizzes, reflections and projects.
Information Management	Gathering and managing information Internet skills	Teach and measure	Students will be taught how to use various career research portals to find relevant information for final project. As this is a hybrid course, a large portion of their work will be completed in an online environment which will reinforce their internet and computer literacy skills. Students' midterm and final projects will demonstrate their ability to find and utilize research.
Personal Skills	Managing self Managing change and being flexible and adaptable Engaging in reflective practice Demonstrating personal responsibility	Teach and measure	Students will learn the ins and outs of positive psychology and how it can be used as a tool to deepen self-growth, efficacy, confidence, and important academic and vocational skills. Students will be evaluated on these concepts throughout the course in their assignment and reflection submissions.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby candidates may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge competencies and skills acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside of post-secondary education. Candidates may have their knowledge, skills and competencies evaluated against the learning outcomes as defined in the course outline. Please review the Assessment Methods Glossary for more information on the Learning Portfolio assessment methods identified below.

The method(s) that are used to assess prior learning for this course may include:

Learning Portfolio (results reflected as SAT and not added to student’s CGPA)
Interview

Please contact the Program Coordinator for more details.

Academic Regulations

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the College Academic Regulations. The Academic Regulations apply to all applicants to Humber and all current students enrolled in any program or course offered by Humber, in any location. Information about academic appeals is found in the Academic Regulations.

Anti-Discrimination Statement

At Humber College, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. Students and employees have the right to study, live and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance on concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion or the Office of Student Conduct.

Accessible Learning Services

Humber strives to create a welcoming environment for all students where equity, diversity and inclusion are paramount. Accessible Learning Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating academic accommodations and services. Staff in Accessible Learning Services are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. If you require academic accommodations, contact:

Accessible Learning Services

North Campus: (416) 675-6622 X5090

Lakeshore Campus: (416) 675-6622 X3331

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is essentially honesty in all academic endeavors. Academic integrity requires that students avoid all forms of academic misconduct or dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on tests or exams or any misrepresentation of academic accomplishment.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made by the professor/faculty to cover all material listed in the outline, the order, content, and/or evaluation may change in the event of special circumstances (e.g. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, college closure, technology/equipment problems or changes, etc.). In any such case, students will be given appropriate notification in writing, with approval from the Senior Dean (or designate) of the Faculty.

Copyright

Copyright is the exclusive legal right given to a creator to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute his/her work. All members of the Humber community are required to comply with Canadian copyright law which governs the reproduction, use and distribution of copyrighted materials. This means that the copying, use and distribution of copyright- protected materials, regardless of format, is subject to certain limits and restrictions. For example, photocopying or scanning an entire textbook is not allowed, nor is distributing a scanned book.

See the Humber Libraries website for additional information regarding copyright and for details on allowable limits.

Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning • 2024/2025.