In the spring of 2018, the Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos unveiled a new course, Psychology and the Good Life. The subject was happiness. The reaction was unprecedented. Psychology and the Good Life became the most popular class ever taught in Yale University’s 317-year history, and garnered national and international media attention.
Santos’ course was a blend of abstract and concrete. It combined positive psychology with the real-life applications of behavioral science. It debunked popular notions of what makes people happy (like the luxury Mercedes-Benz status symbol) and helped students understand the habits they should build to lead truly happier, more fulfilled lives.
You can attend this class entirely for free here or opt for a $49 certificate of completion.
About the Course
In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.
Skills you will gain: gratitude, happiness, meditation, savoring
When you enroll, if you choose to earn a certificate ($49), you’ll get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic certificate will be added to your “accomplishments” page. From there, you can print your certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
If you choose to audit the course, you’ll still have access to all the course materials, but you won’t be able to submit assignments for feedback or a grade.
You can upgrade to a paid certificate at any time during or after your audit. Once you pay for a course certificate, you have 180 days from the day you paid to complete the course.
About Laurie Santos
Laurie Santos is a Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman Residential College at Yale University. Additionally, she is the director of the Comparative Cognition Laboratory and the Canine Cognition Center at Yale. She received her A.B. in Psychology and Biology from Harvard University in 1997 and her Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard in 2003.