Composing A Life: From Research to Relevance

CRN: fall: 10206; winter: 20155; spring: 30175
Note: This intensive-weekend, 8-credit program will meet from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays of four weekends each quarter (fall: Oct 2-4, Oct 23-25, Nov 13-15, Dec 4-6; winter: Jan 8-10, Jan 29-31, Feb 19-21, Mar 5-7; and spring: Apr 9-11, Apr 23-25, May 7-8 NO CLASS ON SUNDAY May 9, June 4-6). First class will meet in SEM 2 C1105.

An expanding body of interdisciplinary research and practice addresses how we create lives and the impacts, both positive and negative, that these created lives have. As the world grows more complex every day, people around the globe are trying to orient themselves to the essential sources of meaning in life (family, work, education, spirituality, health, personal growth and development, etc.), as well as figure out how they can function well in these life domains. We live in diverse communities with growing and changing populations. How can we manage relationships and organizations using our creative potential and celebrate the contributions of each of the diverse people involved?

In this year-long program we will look at individual, social, and cultural behavior as it relates to our own agency (self) and communion (other). Students will learn how to become better scientists as they develop models and critically examine evidence. Students will also become proficient practitioners, employing their models in real-life experience while developing accurate self-awareness and evaluating the impacts of different roles in a variety of settings--as leaders, as subordinates, and as members of teams, families, and communities.

During fall quarter, students will focus on the essential themes and concepts that come from social psychology, organizational development, and leadership studies in examining the multidimensional variables (cognition, emotion, behavior, social, cultural, environmental, etc.) that contribute to the individual and social human experience. An emphasis will be placed on creating a personal framework or philosophy to work from regarding personal quality of life and becoming an effective change agent in the workplace.

During winter quarter, students will explore the common challenges found in all life domains and explore the most effective assessment tools for identifying both problem areas and strengths. From this assessment, students will learn the most common interventions employed by professionals in assisting people regarding personal challenges, adversity and growth, in relationships and in the workplace.

During spring quarter, we will shift our focus toward optimal growth and examine the newest social science that correlates with flourishing. Much of this work will be experiential and will put in place the material studied the previous two quarters. A personal plan for applying theory to practice will be developed and students will have an opportunity to establish goals, act on those goals, and assess outcomes. Areas of focus will include emotional and social intelligence, positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, self-regulation theory, and resilience.