The Science of Well-Being

This course is taught entirely in English.

Objectives
 

Inspired by the most popular class in the history of Yale University ("Psychology and the Good Life" offered by Prof. Laurie Santos), this course is designed to teach students what the economic and psychological sciences have to say about what makes us, individuals—and, in turn, society--happy. By drawing on empirical findings from both the economics and psychology literature, this course is highly evidence-based and practice oriented. The course has 3 dimensions:

1. Theoretical: what science tells us about what (really) makes us happy
2. Practical: how to put into practice strategies to be happy
3. Policy: how to bring this knowledge into business, economic and social policies
    

Topics
 

• Misconceptions about happiness
• How can we overcome our biases
• What is that really makes us happy
• How to put strategies into practice
• Happiness and Performance
• Designing meaningful jobs and organizations
• Policy targets: GDP vs Happiness Index

The course consists of both lectures and tutorials and it is meant to provide students with instruments that should help them increase their happiness and, in turn, society’s well-being. In the lectures, we will explore what new results in economic and psychological science teach us about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed, and how to flourish more. In the tutorials and corresponding “weekly rewirements” we will then have a chance to put these scientific findings into practice by building the sorts of habits that will allow us to live a happier and more fulfilling life. 

Exam
 

Written exam (50% of the grade) + self-development project (50% of the grade)

Important: In order to effectively register for the exam, students must write a short report for at least 8 of the “weekly rewirements” assigned during the semester.
 

L: Lecture; T: Tutorial

Content questions: Prof. Dr. Lea Cassar (opens your email program)

Organisational and technical questions: Iris Bleisteiner (opens your email program), Vanessa Dietl (opens your email program)