The five-course series offers theories and research in the field of positive psychology, as well as opportunities for application. Martin Seligman, founding director of Penn’s Positive Psychology Center, along with colleagues from the center and from Fels Institute of Government, will lead the quintet.
“Positive psychology teaches learners that human beings can have more happiness now than they do, more engagement at work and with the people they love, more meaning in their lives and more positive accomplishment,” Seligman said.
Unlike single Coursera courses, specializations offer participants the opportunity to explore a new subject as well as earn a certificate. The online courses for “Foundations of Positive Psychology” include:
“Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science,” taught by Martin Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and director, Positive Psychology Center
“Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions,” taught by James Pawelski, director of education and senior scholar, Positive Psychology Center
“Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods,” with Angela Duckworth, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology and scientific director, The Character Lab, as well as Claire Robertson-Kraft, director of Fels’ ImpactED
“Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills,” taught by Karen Reivich, director of resilience and positive psychology training programs, Positive Psychology Center
“Positive Psychology Specialization Project,” with Seligman
“This specialization is relevant to anyone seeking greater wellbeing at work or in his or her personal life,” said Jackie Candido, senior director of program design & delivery for Arts & Sciences Online Learning. “It features traditional Coursera quizzes as well as peer reviews and a dedicated teaching assistant who is involved with learners throughout the program.”
The first three courses are now available on Coursera. “Resilience Skills” will become available in April 2017 and “Positive Psychology Specialization Project” will become available in May 2017. To learn more, please visit the Foundations of Positive Psychology page on Coursera.
On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile
Penn researchers have developed a mobile field laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos.
Penn researchers Vanessa and Alexis North are studying one of the largest collections of Egyptian blue objects ever found in the ancient Near East, shedding new light on how the world’s first synthetic pigment may have traveled far beyond Egypt.
A new role for dental providers? Rethinking where vaccines are given
Vaccinations have traditionally been administered in primary care settings or pharmacies. However, for about a decade, some states have authorized dentists to administer vaccines, and many others did so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of this approach has led some countries and states to expand or consider expanding the role of dental providers in delivering routine vaccines, including those against COVID-19 and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and in providing vaccine education.
Penn student develops a way for computer chips to run more efficiently
Fluid Silicon, a platform from President’s Sustainability Prize winner Nhlanhla Mavuso, allows computer chips to continuously monitor their health and self-tune as their characteristics change. The technology has the potential to reduce energy usage in data centers and improve reliability in mission-critical applications.
