Character strengths and wellbeing in academic practice - step 1: awareness 1600-SZD-SPEC-MS1-PS
The goal of a course is to develop the self-awareness on possessing and application of character strengths in various areas of academic practice (scientific, didactic, administrative/organizational) as a first step to support the psychological well-being. During a course participants get insight into the level of own well-being in various areas of academic practice based on well-being theory of PERMA-H of Martin Seligman, they increase the self-awareness of own character strengths based on virtues and character strength classification of Martin Seligman and Christoper Peterson and model Awareness-Exploration-Application of Ryan Niemiec, and they get familiarized with results of contemporary studies on relationships of character strengths and well-being.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge | The graduate knows and understands:
WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline
within the social sciences
WG_02 - the main development trends in the disciplines of the social sciences in which the education is provided
WG_03 - scientific research methodology in the field of the social sciences
WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences
Skills | The graduate is able to:
UK_05 - speaking a foreign language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages using the professional terminology specific to the discipline within the social sciences, to the extent enabling participation in an international scientific and professional environment
Social competences | The graduate is ready to
KO_01 - fulfilling the social obligations of researchers and creators
KO_02 - fulfilling social obligations and taking actions in the public interest, in particular in initiating actions in the public interest
KO_03 - think and acting in an entrepreneurial manner
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the
permitted number of explained absences: Participants learn through active participation in proposed individual activities, activities in small groups, and in the whole group forum, though self-observing, engaging in self-reflection, as well as learning from others' experiences. This requires a safe atmosphere, sharing experiences and reflections, and engagement during the classes. Therefore, during the classes, one class hour of absence is allowed, only during the second day of the sessions. Between sessions, students are required to read a chapter of literature on the chosen character strength and keep a journal of self-observation of one selected signature character strength.
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): A week after the end of the classes, participants present the individual paper consisting of two parts: a reflection on literature regarding one chosen personal signature character strength, and a journal of self-observations of the current applications of this character strength conducted for 7 days (initiated during the interval between sessions) Students may improve their work once, one month after receiving assessment.
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes: Written individual paper.
Evaluation criteria: Literature Reflection: Addressing at least three issues mentioned in the literature on the chosen signature character strength and engaging in deep reflection on these issues in light of one's own beliefs and experiences. Structuring the work to include an introduction defining the purpose of the reflection, organized development, and conclusion. Adhering to formal requirements – minimum of 1000, maximum of 2000 characters with spaces.Journal: Description of the application of the signature strength includes information about the situational context, behaviors, feelings, and thoughts for each of the 7 days. The work includes final conclusions drawn from the reflection on the described applications.
Practical placement
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Bibliography
1. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, DC: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=129815 =pl&site=eds-live – Chapters on selected character strengths.
2. McGovern, T. V, & Stowell, J. R. (2012). Faculty virtues and character strengths: Reflective exercises for sustained renewal. Retrieved from Society for the Teaching of Psychology – STP) http://teachpsych.org/. Chapters on selected character strengths.
3. Niemiec, R. M., & Wedding, D. (2013). Positive Psychology at the Movies: Using Films to Build Character Strengths and Well-Being Gottingen, Germany: Hogrefe. – chapters on description of theoretical description of selected character strengths and on examples.
4. Niemiec, R. M., & Pearce, R. (2021). The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and Exploration of What’s Soaring, Emerging, and Ripe With Potential in Science and in Practice. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(January). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.5902205. www.viacharacter.org/research/findings
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: