Course Information

About this course

This course combines a study of theory, research, and application in the rapidly growing field of positive psychology. Critically examine the psychology of well-being with both its possibilities and limitations, focusing on topics such as positive emotions, character strengths, flow, flourishing, mindfulness, creativity, and post-traumatic growth within the context of culture and history. Investigate how positive psychology complements other areas of psychology, therapy, coaching, and communication, and how it can be applied in real-world, professional settings such as business development and the clinical context.

Syllabus

Spring 2026

This is the most recent syllabus for this course

Go to syllabus

Pre-requisites

One psychology course at university level.

Travel on Study Tour

You only take one Core Course per semester, and each Core Course includes two Study Tours: one Short Study Tour to a nearby destination for three days, and one Long Study Tour to another European country for six days.

Led by your faculty, Study Tours take you into real-world settings where you will apply what you’ve learned outside the classroom.

Check out the Study Tours for this course
Students sitting on the floor in a modern building, engaging in a group activity with papers and notebooks scattered around.

Faculty

Susanna Z. Papp

Susanna is a psychologist, lecturer, and trainer. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology (ELTE Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest). She has a decade of experience as a lecturer and over a thousand hour experience in holding skill development training in communication, conflict-management, and cultural competences. She is trained in mediation and restorative methods. With DIS since 2017.

Long Study Tour

About this tour

This week long study tour to Athens offers the opportunity to explore Greek society through multiple perspectives, ranging from ancient Greek philosophies of mind-body connections to modern-day trends in positive psychology.

This tour will also explore Greece as one of the European countries most affected by the financial crisis and refugee crisis in Europe, and how aspects of positive psychology, such as post-traumatic growth, resilience, and the expression of altruism, are perceived at the societal level and the individual level. You will learn how organizations, practitioners, and researchers apply positive psychology to their work, covering key themes such as Hedonic vs Eudaimonic happiness and societal crisis.

Learning outcomes

  • Investigate the view of positive psychology in Athens and its application across the city and country
  • Explore and critically discuss current research in positive psychology from a European and global context
  • Gain first-hand knowledge of the benefits associated with focusing on well-being at the individual and national level

Possible activities

  • Visit psychology associations, yoga centers, and mindfulness retreats around greater Athens to learn about positive psychology methods
  • Hear from clinical psychologists and other key players in the positive psychology field in Greece
  • Partake in Random Acts of Kindness and learn about organizations that inspire community well-being

Sweden

Short Study Tour

About this tour

Core Course Week, including the short study tour, enhances the Positive Psychology curriculum by meeting with Swedish researchers and practitioners, as well as visiting institutions that apply principles of positive psychology. You will experience and analyze the unique features of the Swedish socio-cultural model, and how it shapes the experience of well-being in Sweden.

The Core Course Week program is supplemented with visits and activities to help you gain a more well-rounded understanding of the communities in which you study. Some activities include touring museums, visiting historic sites, and sampling traditional Swedish cuisine.

Learning outcomes

  • Explore the relationship between culture, social structures, and happiness in a Swedish Context
  • Reflect on and synthesize experiences of positive psychology practices and how these can be adapted and applied in various settings
  • Engage in your personal learning process outside the classroom by actively participating and challenging your current ideas and assumptions

Possible activities

  • Meet professionals who use mindfulness as a positive coping method to increase work health and reduce stress
  • Visit one of Sweden’s many voluntary NGO organizations to explore how voluntarism and well-being correlate
  • Explore why physical activity has been identified as beneficial to improving well-being by visiting organizations that facilitate physical activities for children and adolescents
  • Discover the archipelago on the west coast of Sweden and discover why it is recognized as an ideal retreat destination for individuals as well as practitioners of meditation and mindfulness

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