Course Syllabus
ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641
PSYC 3600 Positive Psychology
Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho
3 Credits
Instructor Information
Course Instructor: Traci Craig
- Email: tcraig@uidaho.edu
- Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu on all communications.
Hello and welcome to PSYC 3600: Positive Psychology!
I'm Dr. Traci Craig, and I will be your instructor for this course. You can read more about my background on my University of Idaho faculty page.
Please feel free to contact me via email. I look forward to working with and supporting you as you explore Positive Psychology.
Course Description
The scientific study of human strengths, life fulfillment, and optimal functioning. Topics include well-being, happiness, optimism, resilience, positive relationships, life meaning, gratitude, and positive development across the lifespan.
Welcome to PSYC 360: Positive Psychology.
In this course we will examine the fundamentals of positive psychology, with an emphasis on the development of strengths and virtues, positive emotion, positive cognition, prosocial behavior, positive interventions, and positive environments. You will gain an understanding of the field of positive psychology, which is the study of optimal human functioning, including individual strengths and values, such as optimism, resilience and courage.
We will also explore subtopics, such as perceptions of meaning in life, close relationships, career development, and positive psychology interventions. You will gain an understanding of scientific research relating to different dimensions of happiness and subjective well-being and will be able to implement positive psychology-based concepts in their everyday life.
Prerequisite: Psychology 101 (Introduction to Psychology)
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the history, aims, and scope of positive psychology.
- Recall terminology, concepts, and theories in positive psychology.
- Critically examine a growing body of research on happiness, subjective well-being, and character strengths.
- Assess what kinds of experiences fulfill people, what human characteristics lead to personal effectiveness, and what social conditions appear to elicit these qualities and experiences.
- Evaluate one’s own well-being, strengths, and limitations based on the information covered in class.
- Apply positive psychology to important domains in one’s life and in the lives of others with whom you interact.
The lectures, textbook, assignments and exams are designed to reflect these goals.
Required Materials
Lopez, S., Teramoto Pedrotti, J., & Snyder, C. R. (2014). Positive Psychology, The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage. ISBN: 1452276439
Course Rules and Requirements
9 graded assignments, 3 exams
Students may submit 3 assignments per week; however, assignments and exams must be submitted consecutively, in the order outlined in the course. Before taking exams, students MUST wait for grades and feedback on assignments, which may take up to three weeks after the date of receipt by the instructor.
ALL assignments and exams must be submitted to receive a final grade for the course.
Lessons and Assignments
The course closely follows the information presented in the course textbook. Audio lectures of each textbook chapter are provided to highlight the most important course concepts. Although all critical information will be provided in the audio lectures, the textbook should be used as a resource to clarify course concepts and to provide additional examples on top of what is covered in the audio lectures.
There are nine (9) assignments in the course. Each assignment topic is based on the material from a particular chapter in the textbook (see Assignment Submission Log).
Study Hints:
- Keep a copy of every assignment submitted.
- Watch all audio lectures. Complete all reading assignments (strongly recommended).
- Set a schedule allowing for course completion one month before your personal deadline. An Assignment Submission Log is provided for this purpose.
- Web pages and URL links in the World Wide Web are continuously changing. Contact your instructor if you find a broken Web page or URL.
- Practice quizzes will be available for all chapters covered in the course. These quizzes will help you focus on the key concepts from each chapter and prepare you for the content that will be on the exams. You will be provided with the correct answers for each quiz once it is completed.
Exams
You must wait for grades and comments on assignments before taking subsequent exams. Refer to Grade Information for specific information on assignment/exam points.
Grade Information
Your final grade in the course will be based on the three (3) examinations and nine (9) assignments. The final course grade is issued after all assignments and exams have been graded.
Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism, are considered a very serious transgression and may result in a grade of F for the course.
| Assessments | Points Possible |
|---|---|
| Assignments (9) | 100 pts |
| Exam 1 | 50 pts |
| Exam 2 | 50 pts |
| Exam 3 | 50 pts |
| Total | 250 pts |
| Letter Grade | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 225-250 pts | 90-100% |
| B | 200-224 pts | 80-89.9% |
| C | 175-199 pts | 70-79.9% |
| D | 150-174 pts | 60-69.9% |
| F | 0-149 pts | 0-59.9% |
Course Policies
Refer to the ISI website's Current Students page for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services.
AI Use Prohibited
As artificial intelligence tools become more widely available, it is important to clarify how they may or may not be used in this course. The following policy is designed to support your learning and ensure academic integrity.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Grammarly, image generators, and automated coding/writing assistants—is not permitted in this course.
Unauthorized use of AI tools is considered a form of unauthorized assistance and undermines the core learning objectives of the class. This course is intentionally designed to build foundational skills—such as critical analysis, discipline-specific reasoning, original writing, and independent problem-solving—that require your direct engagement. Using AI tools to generate or revise work may hinder the achievement of these objectives and may compromise the integrity of your academic development.
Any use of AI tools for coursework, unless explicitly allowed by the instructor for a specific assignment, will be treated as a violation of academic integrity and may result in sanctions as outlined in the University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct. Students are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all university policies regarding academic honesty and should consult the Student Code of Conduct for further guidance.