How to be happy? Building good past, present and future 2500-PL-PS-SP309-26

What will make me happy? How do other people manage to be happy? It seems I don’t miss
anything in my life, yet I don't feel completely happy – why? Many people ask themselves
these and similar questions, and philosophers have wondered about the determinants of
happiness for hundreds of years, and psychologists also, however for a relatively shorter
time.
The goal of the seminar is to discuss happiness from a psychological perspective: theories
and specific studies that point to the determinants of happiness. An important part of the
seminar will also be translating this knowledge into practice so that methods for building well-
being can be applied in one's life. Therefore, classes will be based on both a theoretical part:
discussing theories and research, and a practical part: practicing and discussing specific
methods for building well-being.
The definition of well-being and methods for its measurement will be discussed. The sub-
discipline of psychology dealing with the determinants of well-being, i.e. positive psychology,
will also be presented, along with a brief historical outline (we won't forget about humanistic
traditions in psychology) and a critical look. Three contemporary positive psychology models
will be discussed in the seminar: the positive-activity model, the hedonic adaptation
prevention model, and the eudaimonic activity model. The time perspective theory and its
relationship with well-being will also be presented.
The time perspective theory will be the main theoretical framework for the classes. Practical
methods will be subordinated to specific time perspectives, i.e., exercises will concern the
past, present, and future, addressing both negative aspects (weakening them) and positive
aspects (strengthening them). The practical aim is for the seminar participants to be able to
create their own well-being building plan composed of methods that best suit their needs.
The course credit will relate to both knowledge: colloquium and exam, and practical
applications: short written assignments describing one's own experiences related to the
seminar topic.